Illinois voters went to the polls Tuesday in primary elections that will reshape the state's heavily Democratic congressional delegation, with retirements by longtime lawmakers opening six House and Senate seats.
The most high-profile race is the contest to replace Sen. Dick Durbin, the Senate's No. 2 Democrat who announced his retirement after five terms. Three sitting politicians are competing for the Democratic nomination: U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, along with Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.
The race has drawn intense fundraising and outside spending. Krishnamoorthi entered 2026 with over $15 million on hand after raising more than $3.5 million in the final quarter of 2025. Stratton started the year with approximately $1 million but received a $5 million infusion from Gov. JB Pritzker's super PAC last month.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive Democrats and Stratton supporters argue that the lieutenant governor best represents the party's future direction. At a January debate, Stratton criticized Krishnamoorthi's campaign contributions, particularly money from a contractor linked to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
'That is not the example of somebody who's going to stand up to Donald Trump and fight for all of our communities,' Stratton said. 'I want to abolish ICE.'
Krishnamoorthi has also called for dismantling ICE but said he donated the money to immigrant rights groups. He defended his record and suggested Stratton attacked him because she lacked policy proposals. 'She didn't have any policy ideas. She had to attack,' Krishnamoorthi said.
Robin Kelly has taken issue with Pritzker's involvement in the race, arguing that a sitting governor should not interfere in a congressional primary. Some progressive candidates have also emphasized their ties to former President Barack Obama and the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, though a posthumous endorsement from Jackson's family was withdrawn Monday after his family said the draft wasn't meant for public release.
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans have watched the Democratic primary with interest, noting that Illinois hasn't had a Republican in the Senate since Mark Kirk was defeated by Tammy Duckworth a decade ago. Six Republicans are competing in the primary, including former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy and attorney Jeannie Evans.
GOP candidates have sought to frame the Democratic primary as a sign of internal party divisions. On the campaign trail, some have criticized Pritzker's involvement as overreach, while others have focused on economic concerns.
Darren Bailey, a former state senator and one of four Republicans vying for the governor's nomination, has criticized Pritzker's leadership. 'He's just another billionaire who has never once felt the pain he's inflicted,' Bailey said, pointing to rising costs under the incumbent Democrat.
Bailey has attempted to appeal to Chicago voters by choosing Aaron Del Mar, who leads the Republican Party in Cook County, as his running mate. Other Republican gubernatorial candidates include Ted Dabrowski, Rick Heidner and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick.
What the Numbers Show
The Senate race has seen a significant fundraising disparity. Krishnamoorthi reported $15 million in cash on hand at the start of 2026, compared to approximately $1 million for Stratton before the Pritzker super PAC infusion. The governor's $5 million contribution represented a major financial injection into the race.
Voter turnout in Illinois' 2024 primary was just 19%, the lowest in more than five decades, according to election officials. That figure has raised concerns about engagement heading into Tuesday's contests.
Beyond the Senate race, the House primaries feature crowded fields. Ten Democrats and one Republican are running in Robin Kelly's 2nd District, which spans parts of the South Side and central Illinois farmlands. Former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., son of the late civil rights leader, is among the Democratic candidates.
In Jan Schakowsky's 9th District, which she is vacating after 14 terms, 15 Democrats are competing in what is the most crowded primary. Candidates include Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, digital creator Kat Abughazaleh and state Sen. Laura Fine.
Outside spending has been significant, with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and PACs supporting cryptocurrency and AI industries investing in several contests.
The Bottom Line
Tuesday's primary results will determine whether Illinois' congressional delegation shifts toward a new generation of Democratic leaders. The retirement of Durbin, who has served since 1997, marks the most significant change in the state's federal representation in years.
If Krishnamoorthi wins, it would solidify his position as one of the Chicago area's most prominent Democrats. A Stratton victory would represent a major win for Pritzker, whose influence over the party's direction is on display. Kelly's campaign has centered on independence from gubernatorial interference, a message that could resonate with some primary voters.
The general election in November is expected to be formality in most of these districts, given Illinois' Democratic lean. But the primary outcomes will shape the party's direction and messaging heading into the next Congress.
Pritzker himself is seeking a historic third term as governor, becoming the first Illinois governor to do so since the 1980s. The governor has positioned himself as a vocal critic of Trump administration policies, particularly on immigration.