Illinois Primary Election 2024

Politics

As Cook County mourns Clerk Karen Yarbrough, planning starts to pick her successor

The county’s Democratic Party will pick a temporary replacement for Yarbrough, who had more than two years left on her term.

By Kristen Schorsch | WBEZ Chicago

Elections

Biden visits Chicago for fundraiser after pitching student loan relief in Wisconsin

Elections

Biden heading to Chicago for fundraiser

Education

Rhymefest announces he is running for a seat on Chicago’s new elected school board

City Hall

Johnson's failed Bring Chicago Home referendum gets boost from unlikely source

Politics

Chicago area man who joined mom, aunt at Jan. 6 Capitol riot gets probation

By Jon Seidel

Politics

Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough hospitalized for 'serious medical condition'

By Kaitlin Washburn

Elections

How Eileen O'Neill Burke won the razor-thin primary for Cook County state's attorney

By Alden Loury and Michael Puente | WBEZ

Elections

State's attorney primary victor O’Neill Burke says it's wrong to paint her as the tough-on-crime choice

By David Struett

Elections

Bring Chicago Home map: View which precincts voted for and against the referendum

With more than 100,000 mail-in ballots outstanding, the fate of Bring Chicago Home is not yet known. See a breakdown of the votes that have been counted.

By Jesse Howe, Matt Kiefer, and 1 more

Education

Chicago's first school board elections mean crash course time for voters, candidates

Much of the public still knows little if anything about this year’s Chicago school board elections. But behind the scenes, candidates and special interest groups are gearing up for this opportunity to shape the city’s education system.

By Sarah Karp | WBEZ and Nader Issa

President Joe Biden sits with his hand near his mouth in front of Israeli and American flags.

Elections

Did Gaza protest vote make a mark on Illinois primary and impact support for Biden?

The president appears to have gotten less support from Cook County voters than any incumbent Democratic presidential candidate since Jimmy Carter 44 years ago.

By Nader Issa

Clayton Harris III (left) and Eileen O'Neill Burke (right) answer reporters’ questions after a debate during the Cook County state’s attorney’s race at ABC7 Studios in February.

Elections

One week and half a million votes later, still no Democratic nominee for Cook County state’s attorney

Unofficial results show Eileen O’Neill Burke now leads Clayton Harris III 50.15% to 49.85%. Both campaigns say they are prepared for next steps in the contest.

By Emmanuel Camarillo

Elections

Mail ballots whittle O'Neill Burke's lead over Harris in state's attorney race for 6th straight day

Based on unofficial results, O’Neill Burke now leads Harris 50.16% to 49.84%. They are separated by less than 1,700 votes.

By Emmanuel Camarillo and Sophie Sherry

A large camp of homeless people along Lower Wacker Drive on Feb. 15, 2018. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun Times

City Hall

City Council's Progressive Caucus responds to 'Bring Chicago Home' defeat with 'we heard you' humility

The caucus’ statement Monday was in stark contrast to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s defiant tone after Chicago voters rejected a referendum last week to combat homelessness.

By Fran Spielman

Elections

City mail vote slices O'Neill Burke's lead over Harris in state’s attorney race

More mail-in ballots were counted Sunday, leaving 2,015 votes separating Harris and Burke. The two were separated by 4,771 votes after Saturday’s count. Burke is leading Harris 50.19% to 49.81% overall.

By Emmanuel Camarillo

Eileen O'Neill Burke (left) speaks with reporters during a campaign stop at Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen on Election Day; Clayton Harris III (right) speaks at Taste 222 in the West Loop on Election Night.

Elections

Mail ballots trickling in cut Eileen O'Neill Burke’s lead over Clayton Harris in Cook County state's attorney race

She’s easily ahead in the suburbs, while Harris has a narrow edge in Chicago. On Friday, thanks to the counting of mail ballots from Chicago voters, Harris had a net gain of 1,366 votes.

By Matthew Hendrickson

The spotted lanternfly has swarmed up and down the East Coast. It’s likely only a matter of time before the invasive creature arrives in Illinois, insect experts say.

Columnists

Colorful spotted lanternfly just one more thing to make us see red

Now that spring has officially sprung, come concerns the dreaded spotted lanternfly, a colorful leafhopper from China, is expected to add to our troubles. The invasive pests damage fruit, ornamental and woody trees by draining them of their health, causing stress and depriving them of their vitality.

By Michael Sneed

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, dressed in a blue suit jacket, looks pensive at the microphone during a luncheon.

Politics

Legacy lap: Kim Foxx reflects on growing up in Cabrini, leading 'difficult conversations’ with no ‘simple answers’

The Cook County State’s Attorney said Tuesday’s historically low turnout was “deeply concerning,” saying that it “tells me that we have an electorate that has not been engaged and that’s very troubling, not just for the state’s attorney’s race, but for our democracy as a whole.”

By Matthew Hendrickson and Sophie Sherry

Clayton Harris III speaks at his election night party at Taste 222 in the West Loop, Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Eileen O’Neill Burke waits to walk on stage at her election night watch party at the RPM event space in River North, Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

Elections

Winner of Cook County state's attorney primary may not be decided until end of the week — or later

Some 100,000 votes or more are still to be counted in the close race, including votes cast in 11 Chicago precincts and mail-in ballots.

By Matthew Hendrickson

Mayor Brandon Johnson answers questions from the press after a City Council meeting at City Hall, Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

Elections

Defiant Mayor Johnson vows to keep fighting after 'Bring Chicago Home' referendum falls short

But under repeated questioning after Wednesday’s City Council meeting, the mayor refused to say exactly what he would do to continue that fight. Nor would he say whether he would try to search elsewhere for more revenue.

By Fran Spielman

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates (third from right) looks on as Mayor Brandon Johnson greets supporters at Brighton Park Elementary School last year.

Elections

Progress report? Election brings mix of cheers and tears for Chicago progressives

While candidates backed by the Chicago Teachers Union won many of their primary races Tuesday, the city’s left-leaning political movement hit a major bump with the apparent loss on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s key ballot initiative, while the Cook County state’s attorney race hangs in the balance.

By Mitchell Armentrout

President Joe Biden, right, chats with Gov. J.B. Pritzker, left, and Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., at O’Hare International Airport during a visit to Chicago last year.

Elections

Is Chicago's tepid turnout a ‘warning sign’ for President Joe Biden in November?

Whether the city’s low voter turnout on Tuesday is a sign of apathy or dissatisfaction, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and key Democrats are downplaying the significance for President Joe Biden. But one leading pollster calls it a warning bell for other key Democratic cities: ‘These cities need to be engines of turnout.’

By Tina Sfondeles

La Voz Chicago

Representante 'Chuy' García conserva su puesto en el Distrito 4 tras el drama en el día de elecciones

Jesús “Chuy” García es una figura establecida en la política de Chicago, con cuatro décadas como concejal, comisionado del Condado de Cook, senador estatal y dos veces candidato a la alcaldía.

By Mitchell Armentrout, Mariah Rush, and 1 more

Graciela Guzmán (left), a Chicago Teachers Union organizer, is challenging state Sen. Natalie Toro (right) in the Democratic primary election on Tuesday.

La Voz Chicago

Graciela Guzmán es elegida a senadora estatal sobre la anteriormente nombrada Natalie Toro

Guzmán ganó a pesar de recaudar menos de $658,000, una cuarta parte de la cantidad de su oponente.

By Brett Chase, Michael Loria, and 1 more

A man, wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, votes and is obscured by the ballot box.

Other Views

Blame gerrymandering and our winner-take-all, two-party system for low voter turnout

Fewer folks are voting and, in no small part, it’s due to the disincentives elected officials have put in place.

By Madeleine Doubek

U.S. House incumbents (left to right) Democrat Sean Casten in 2022; Republican Mike Bost last year; Democrat Bill Foster in 2020.

Elections

Trump nod helps Republican Bost beat Bailey downstate; Democrats Foster, Casten win in suburbs

U.S. Rep. Mike Bost declared victory at about 9:41 p.m., and Bailey conceded 15 minutes later. Democratic U.S. Reps. Sean Casten and Bill Foster held on to their suburban congressional seats.

By Tina Sfondeles, Mohammad Samra, and 2 more

Running against each other in the Democratic March 19 primary for Cook County state’s attorney are Clayton Harris III and Eileen O’Neill Burke.

Elections

O’Neill Burke maintains narrow lead in heated race for Cook County state's attorney

Eileen O’Neill Burke, who stepped down from a seat on the appellate court to run for state’s attorney, took an early lead against her opponent Clayton Harris III.

By Matthew Hendrickson, Tom Schuba, and 1 more

Elections

Graciela Guzmán beats incumbent Sen. Natalie Toro in another test of Democratic establishment muscle

With almost 90% of the vote counted, Guzmán was declared the winner over Toro, defeating her with almost 50% of the vote to Toro’s 30%. Guzmán won despite raising less than $658,000, or about a quarter of the amount of money raised for Toro.

By Brett Chase, Michael Loria, and 1 more

Mariyana Spyropoulos, Democratic candidate for Cook County Circuit Court clerk hold Election Night at Greek Island Restaurant.

Elections

Mariyana Spyropoulos beats Democratic incumbent in race for Cook County Circuit Court clerk

Spyropoulos, a commissioner on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District board, had far more campaign contributions than Iris Martinez and the backing of the county Democratic Party.

By Kristen Schorsch | WBEZ Chicago

Elections

Bring Chicago Home: Mayor Johnson's plan to fight homelessness appears headed to defeat

“This is not the result we wanted. We’re gonna have to take a real hard look at what happened and figure out how to move forward from here,” said Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, who was instrumental in getting the binding referendum on the ballot.

By Fran Spielman

Elections

Trump, Biden win Illinois primaries as they gear up for a rematch

Chicago voter turnout was at or near historic lows, likely a signal of either displeasure with the candidates or recognition the party nominees were predetermined.

By Dave McKinney | WBEZ and Jon Seidel

Larry Rogers Jr., a Cook County Board of Review commissioner, faced a challenger in the March 19 primary who was backed by Assessor Fritz Kaegi.

Elections

Veteran Cook County tax appeals board commissioner Rogers holds off challenger

Larry Rogers Jr. faced heavy spending from Assessor Fritz Kaegi, who backed newcomer Larecia Tucker. “He should have kept his money,” Rogers said Tuesday.

By Dan Mihalopoulos

Elections

U.S. Rep 'Chuy' García retains 4th District seat after election day drama

Jesús “Chuy” García is a fixture in Chicago politics, with four decades as an alderperson, Cook County commissioner, state senator and two-time mayoral candidate.

By Mitchell Armentrout, Mariah Rush, and 1 more

Elections

Party-backed newcomer Crawford defeats longtime Democratic state Rep. Flowers in primary

Crawford had the backing of Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch. However, Guzmán beats Senate incumbent Toro in another test of Democratic establishment muscle.

By Brett Chase, Michael Loria, and 1 more

U.S. Rep. Danny Davis gives his victory speech during his primary election night party at the Westside Baptist Ministers Conference Center, Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

Elections

U.S. Rep. Danny Davis cruises to reelection: 'Don't ever write off the senior citizens'

Davis and fellow Chicago incumbent U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García scored easy wins to secure their places in the Illinois congressional delegation.

By Mitchell Armentrout, Mariah Rush, and 1 more

Elections

Joy Virginia Cunningham declares victory in Illinois Supreme Court primary

Cunningham, the second Black female justice in Illinois, held a commanding lead over challenger Jesse Reyes in a primary contest focused on racial identity.

By Lauren FitzPatrick and Sophie Sherry

Running against each other in the Democratic March 19 primary for Cook County state’s attorney are Eileen O’Neill Burke and Clayton Harris III.

Elections

Cook County state's attorney race down to the wire

Democrats appear to be leaning toward taking a tough-on-crime approach.

By Neil Steinberg

Election Day voting polls Thurgood Marshall March 19, 2024

Elections

'Shockingly low turnout' during Tuesday's primary election in Chicago

Part of the reason comes down to the presidential race at the top of the ballot, according to Max Bever of the Chicago Board of Elections. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have already secured the votes needed to be nominated this summer at their party conventions.

By Kaitlin Washburn

Elections

Chicago voters pose questions, split views on 'Bring Chicago Home' referendum

The ballot referendum was the talk of the town — at least among the small number of people who actually turned out to vote.

By Kaitlin Washburn, Violet Miller, and 1 more