Your Last-Minute Election Guide

In Chicago, primaries often decide winners. But during Chicago’s 2022 midterm primary, just 22% of the city voted. We can do better than that!

Where to Vote

Chicago’s 50 early-voting locations and the city’s downtown supersite will continue operating through 7 p.m. today. Same-day registration is available at all those sites, plus additional vote centers. (Here’s what you’ll need for same-day registration.)

Already registered? Today, you can hit your local polling site — check where that is.

Meanwhile, absentee voters, make sure your ballot is postmarked today! Vote-by-mail procrastinators should consider dropping ballots off at an early-voting spot.

Who’s Running?

The retirement of longtime Sen. Dick Durbin has opened up a competitive Democratic race, currently dominated by three front-runners: Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th), and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (2nd).

Other competitive congressional races are happening in the 2nd, 7th, 8th, and 9th Districts:

• In the 2nd: As Kelly steps down, Jesse Jackson Jr. aims to reclaim his seat. He’s up against state Sen. Robert Peter and Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller.
• In the 8th: Eight Democrats are running to replace Krishnamoorthi, including former Rep. Melissa Bean, who previously held the seat.
• In the 7th: Thirteen candidates want to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, including state Rep. La Shawn Ford, who has Davis’ endorsement, community organizer Kina Collins, and Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin.
• In the 9th: Fifteen candidates hope to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky. Among them: Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, state Sen. Laura Fine, and influencer Kat Abughazaleh.

Local races are also heating up:

• Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle faces a major challenge from (the relatively conservative) Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd).
• Four Democrats are vying to become comptroller, aka the person who pays the bills in Illinois.
• As property taxes rise, the Democratic party has sided against incumbent Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi, supporting suburban challenger Pat Hynes.
• The Cook County Board of Review also faces a potential shakeup, following allegations against incumbent Samantha Steele (and a past DUI arrest).

Who to Vote For

Actually, I can’t tell you who to vote for … but I can help you get informed! Consider consulting these heavily researched guides:

• Chicago Public Media's guide and WTTW’s guide both allow for easy comparison between candidates.
• Injustice Watch’s guide offers helpful details for evaluating judicial candidates. (This year, though, many are running uncontested.)
• Girl, I Guess is a progressive independent option with a casual tone
• Also independent, Chicago Votes aims to appeal to young voters and includes many visuals