See the 2024 Illinois General Election Preview and the 2024 General Election Key Races
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
November 5 – 2024 General Election
November 12-14 – Veto Session Week 1
November 19-21 – Veto Session Week 2
In the News
Pritzker stays coy about potential selection as Harris VP – Crain’s Chicago Business, July 25, 2024
Gov. J.B. Pritzker described the ideal qualities in a running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris today, confirming he’s spoken to the campaign while not commenting on whether he’s jockeying for the position himself.
J.B. Pritzker Least Popular VP Candidate in Key Swing States: Poll – Newsweek, July 25, 2024
A new poll of swing state voters has ranked Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker as the least popular candidate to be Kamala Harris’ running mate.
As the DNC returns to Chicago, Illinois’ dean of the delegation, Dick Durbin, basks in the moment. – WBEZ Chicago, July 26, 2024
A stalwart of the U.S. Senate, Durbin says he will decide whether to seek reelection in 2025.
Editorial | New Illinois GOP boss faces tough job rebuilding broken party – The News-Gazette, July 26, 2024
Few should envy the job facing new Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi. She has her hands full taking over a party that is moribund on a statewide basis, dominated by members who’d rather fight with each other than compete for votes with Democrats.
Editorial: A whiff of betrayal undoes Mike Madigan and Mike McClain’s famous tightly bond – Chicago Tribune, July 26, 2024
He’s never been our pal, so we can’t say firsthand. But one of his closest friends over the course of about a half century has been Mike McClain, who served alongside Madigan as a state representative in the 1970s and for decades after that was a lobbyist for politically powerful companies such as Commonwealth Edison.
Pritzker leaves door open on Harris running mate speculation – Crain’s Chicago Business, July 24, 2024
During an interview on CNN, Gov. J.B. Pritzker today hinted he is under consideration for the Democratic vice presidential nomination.
Ex-AT&T boss accused of bribing Michael Madigan wants counts dismissed due to SCOTUS ruling – Chicago Tribune, July 24, 2024
Lawyers for the former AT&T Illinois boss accused of trying to bribe then-House Speaker Michael Madigan argue in a new filing that the prosecution’s case has been “significantly undermined” by a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling walking back a federal bribery statute.
Over 500 Illinois workers say promised raises have not arrived – WBBM, July 24, 2024
Teamsters Local 916 said the Illinois Department of Central Management Services [CMS] is not paying workers at the Illinois Department of Transportation the negotiated wage increases in the collective bargaining agreement.
Greenwood maintains fundraising lead in 114th House race – Chronicle Illinois, July 24, 2024
As summer rolls on and the fall general election inches closer, former 114th state Rep. LaToya Greenwood has increased her campaign war chest over incumbent state Rep. Kevin Schmidt.
Kamala Harris’ Illinois backers turn attention to building an organization – Chicago Tribune, July 23, 2024
With Vice President Kamala Harris securing the support of enough Democratic National Convention delegates to land the party’s presidential nomination, her backers in Illinois on Tuesday moved to the next step — putting together an infrastructure to promote her nascent White House campaign.
Gov. Pritzker says he’s not being vetted as a vice presidential candidate – CBS News, July 23, 2024
Gov. JB Pritzker’s name has been floated as a possible running mate for Kamala Harris as she seeks to become the new Democratic nominee for president, but Pritzker on Tuesday tamped down that speculation.
Massey family meets with Pritzker; DOJ opens investigation into fatal shooting – The State Journal-Register, July 23, 2024
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump said Tuesday that the Sonya Massey fatal shooting case is now part of a U.S. Department of Justice investigation.
Domestic violence deaths spiked in Illinois last year, adding to calls for passage of Karina’s Bill – Chicago Sun Times, July 23, 2024
The Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence typically releases its annual report in October but was so alarmed by the findings, it decided to publish the 2023 report months earlier than planned.
Illinois Board Of Elections Spokesman Matt Dietrich Gives More Information On State Voting Process After Biden Drops Out Of Race – Effingham Radio, July 23, 2024
The country was witness to history this weekend as the current sitting president announced he will not seek a second term, making him the 5th President not to seek a second term, not including those who died before their term was up. The last one was Lyndon B. Johnson 56 years ago in 1968.
Illinois Dems get in line behind Pritzker in endorsing Harris for president – The Daily Line, July 23, 2024
Gov. JB Pritzker announced Monday morning he will support Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee for president.
Trump’s speech hits right note with Illinois delegates – The Daily Line, July 22, 2024
Members of Illinois’ Republican National Convention (RNC) delegation liked what they heard from Republican nominee Donald Trump as he accepted their nomination for president of the United States for a third consecutive convention.
Sen. Dick Durbin calls for Secret Service director to resign – Chicago Tribune, July 22, 2024
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin on Monday called for the head of the Secret Service to resign as lawmakers on Capitol Hill grilled her about security failures surrounding the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump earlier this month.
How Chicago and Illinois were mentioned at the Republican National Convention – The Daily Line, July 23, 2024
Chicago and Illinois politics are often mentioned at the Republican National Convention (RNC), but not usually in a positive light as Republicans try to draw contrasts with Democratic policies.
Pritzker signs several auto, medical service-related bills – WCIA, July 22, 2024
Last week, Governor JB Pritzker signed several bills into law, including legislation involving vehicle safety and medical care.
Greg Hinz: For Illinois Dems — and perhaps Pritzker — Biden’s exit changes the 2024 game – Crain’s Chicago Business, July 21, 2024
Illinois Democrats are breathing what one prominent party insider termed, “a huge sigh of relief.”
State Democratic Party urges local delegates to keep mum for now – Crain’s Chicago Business, July 21, 2024
Following President Joe Biden’s historic exit from the presidential race, members of the Illinois delegation to the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago are being urged by the state party to “hold back from reacting publicly” as top Democrats scramble to either rally around the candidacy of Vice President Kamala Harris or hold a competitive primary.
Biden’s decision to drop out creates big questions for Chicago convention, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s political future – Chicago Tribune, July 22, 2024
President Joe Biden’s stunning decision Sunday to drop his reelection bid cast Democrats into unprecedented uncertainty less than a month before they gather in Chicago for their national convention and try to unite around a new nominee to challenge former President Donald Trump.
Leaving Milwaukee, Illinois RNC delegates say Trump’s economic message should sway voters – Chicago Tribune, July 19, 2024
Illinois’ Republican delegation left the party’s presidential nomination convention expressing optimism that Donald Trump would regain the presidency in November and hope that some of the messages in his lengthy acceptance speech could win over voters in a state that overwhelmingly rejected the former president in the past two elections.
Illinois continues to struggle to fill vacancies on public boards, state audit shows – Chicago Tribune, July 22, 2024
State boards and commissions tasked with solving some of Illinois’ biggest problems have been left with hundreds of vacancies for appointed positions and often didn’t have enough members to conduct business, a report released last month from the state auditor general found.
Michael McClain’s lawyers want him tried separately from ex-House Speaker Madigan
– Chicago Sun Times, July 19, 2024
McClain, a longtime confidant of Madigan, is set to go on trial with him Oct. 8 on racketeering, bribery, fraud and attempted extortion charges, but his lawyers argue that Madigan’s apparent defense strategy involved blaming McClain.
Madigan attorneys lay out plan to scrub potential jurors’ social media; feds say jury ‘not a fantasy team’ – Chicago Tribune, July 19, 2024
Lawyers for ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan are offering to pay out of their own pocket for a company to scrub prospective jurors’ social media and other public records to ferret out any potential biases before his historic racketeering trial gets underway.
Man arrested for threatening Rep. Keicher – Capitol Fax, July 19, 2024
On July 15, 2024 at 9:38 PM, a threatening voice mail from phone number 312-xxx-xxxx was left on IL State Representative Jeffrey Keicher’s office voice mail. The caller, who identified himself as Forrest Brandon, suggested he may assassinate Kreicher because of a partisan event being hosted at a public high school. The event was determined
to be a senior fair planned for 7/18/24 at the Dekalb High School.
Jim Nowlan: Illinois should be an economic powerhouse. Why isn’t it? – Chicago Tribune, July 21, 2024
In each of the six R’s critical to economic development — roads, rails, rivers, runways, routers (technology) and research — Illinois is among the top states in the nation. And it’s smack dab in the middle of the world’s largest economy. Illinois should be an economic powerhouse. Why isn’t it?
Kathy Salvi takes over Illinois GOP with eye on expanding Republican voters – The Daily Line, July 22, 2024
Kathy Salvi took over the Illinois Republican Party on Friday with Republicans in a good mood. After Illinois Republicans entered Republican National Convention (RNC) week facing questions about internal divisions, members put on a united face in Milwaukee behind nominee Donald Trump with aspirations of moving past their own differences in Illinois.
Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee to hold hearing on improvements to bus infrastructure – The Daily Line, July 26, 2024
The Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety will meet Monday for a subject matter hearing on the benefits of bus infrastructure improvements on mobility and traffic safety. The committee will meet in council chambers at 10 a.m.
As DNC looms, so do concerns over the Chicago Police Department’s response to protests – Chicago Sun-Times, July 25, 2024
The department got a black eye over how it dealt with protests following the police killing of George Floyd in 2020. And the images of cops beating demonstrators with batons during the Democratic convention in 1968 are still seared into the national consciousness.
Cook County judge unlawfully banned exoneree turned law clerk from courthouse over a phone, lawyers allege – Chicago Tribune, July 26, 2024
Last fall, an exoneree who is now employed by a high-profile law group was sitting in a Cook County courtroom with a cellphone, court documents say, when a deputy asked him to step outside to ask about the device.
Chicago business community unveils new political action committee – Crain’s Chicago Business, July 24, 2024
When Mayor Brandon Johnson rode a wave of progressive support into City Hall last year he brought along enough City Council allies to quickly rack up legislative victories favoring workers that were opposed by the business community.
Public Safety committee to hold hearings on DNC transportation logistics, police preparedness for protests – The Daily Line, July 25, 2024
The City Council Committee on Public Safety will meet Thursday for a subject matter hearing on transportation logistics surrounding the Democratic National Convention (DNC) next month as well as a recent Office of Inspector General (OIG) report that criticized the Chicago Police Department’s (CPD) preparedness to deal with mass protests planned for the convention, which is taking place at both the United Center and McCormick Place from Aug. 19-22.
Is Chicago’s Mayor Ready to Host a Messy Democratic Convention? – NOTUS, July 24, 2024
Brandon Johnson told NOTUS he’s prepared for whatever could come at and outside the convention next month. But the event could be messier than many even dreamed — and some Chicago insiders are questioning his leadership after a rocky tenure as mayor.
Cook County Officials Opening New Court Facility, Clearing Judges’ Schedules Ahead of Possible Mass Arrests at DNC in Chicago – WTTW, July 24, 2024
Cook County court officials are prepping for the possibility of mass arrests during next month’s Democratic National Convention by freeing up judges and clearing “non-essential proceedings” should they be called upon to handle an influx of cases.
Black businesses are looking to benefit from the DNC in Chicago – The Tribe, July 24, 2024
Stephanie Hart, owner of Brown Sugar Bakery in Greater Grand Crossing, said she is already reaping benefits from the upcoming Democratic National Convention (DNC), which is scheduled to come to Chicago on Aug. 19-22. In May, she catered a welcome party for delegates and people working the DNC. She said she reached out to convention organizers with hopes to become a vendor during the event.
A new north DuSable Lake Shore Drive? Long-running idea takes step forward with a concept that leaves out bus lanes, includes more park space – Chicago Tribune, July 24, 2024
A long-running idea to revamp north DuSable Lake Shore Drive is poised to take a step forward despite calls to halt the project, as city and state officials have selected their vision for the future of the busy thoroughfare.
Laptops possibly containing confidential information on criminal cases stolen at Cook County courthouse – Chicago Sun-Times, July 24, 2024
Between three and five computers were thought to have been stolen from the prosecutor’s office at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse late Monday, sources said.
South suburban communities want better transit service as legislators consider reforms – The Daily Line, July 25, 2024
Leaders of communities in the south suburbs are asking lawmakers to find ways to expand public transportation options as the General Assembly considers major reforms to Chicago area transit.
Chicago’s donor class opens its pockets for Harris – Crain’s Chicago Business, July 24, 2024
As Vice President Kamala Harris tightens her grip on the Democratic nomination for president, her campaign has announced record fundraising hauls that have calmed fears that uncertainty at the top of the ticket would give donors pause.
County commissioners grill assessor, staff over closure of apartment loophole – The Daily Line, July 24, 2024
Cook County commissioners during a committee meeting Monday asked the county assessor for his rationale behind the process for closing a loophole in the county property tax ordinance that allowed mostly commercial buildings to be assessed like mixed-use buildings and receive a significant tax reduction.
Charges dropped against NU educators involved in pro-Palestinian encampment – Chicago Tribune, July 23, 2024
Cook County prosecutors dropped criminal charges on Friday against four people who participated in the pro-Palestinian protest encampment at Northwestern University in late April.
City expanding lawsuit against Glock to include two suburban gun shops – Chicago Tribune, July 23, 2024
The city of Chicago this week moved to dismiss, refile and effectively expand a lawsuit previously brought against gun manufacturer Glock.
Mail carriers are being attacked, robbed and killed. These proposed laws could save lives – Chicago Sun Times, July 22, 2024
Chicago City Council should ban cluster box units that require arrow keys, for which postal workers have been robbed, and Congress should beef up postal police and enhance criminal penalties.
More than 10,000 Cook County residents to receive property tax refunds – Chicago Tribune, July 23, 2024
More than 10,000 residents of Cook County can expect to receive automatic refunds due to overpayments of their property taxes, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas announced Tuesday.
United Center owners plan $7 billion Near West Side campus – Crain’s Chicago Business, July 23, 2024
The next-generation owners of the United Center are proposing a $7 billion transformation of the property around the Near West Side arena, a plan to redraw 55 acres surrounding the venue with a megaproject that includes a new 6,000-seat music hall, hotel and retail buildings, public open space and thousands of apartments.
What Biden’s exit means for upcoming Chicago DNC: Crain’s Daily Gist podcast – Crain’s Chicago Business, July 23, 2024
Crain’s political columnist Greg Hinz talks with host Amy Guth about Joe Biden’s exit from the 2024 presidential race, local support for Kamala Harris, her possible running mates and the upcoming DNC.
With Biden stepping aside and Harris in, gloom over Chicago convention lifts – Chicago Sun-Times, July 22, 2024
Some major donors signaled their distress about Biden staying in the race by declining to write more checks or host events. That concern dissolved within hours of Harris becoming the presumptive Democratic 2024 nominee, with no rival coming forward.
Madigan confidant asks for severance from upcoming corruption trial, claiming ex-speaker’s legal team could ‘ambush’ him – Chicago Tribune, July 22, 2024
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s relationship with Michael McClain was perhaps best described by McClain himself, who wrote a personal note to the speaker when he retired from lobbying in 2016, saying he’d still be at the ready for special “assignments” whenever Madigan beckoned.
Chicago Area Breaks Record With 27 Tornadoes In One Day – Block Club Chicago, July 22, 2024
The National Weather Service is still investigating “hundreds of damage points” to determine whether even more tornadoes touched down July 15. But the updated 27 total breaks the area’s previous single-day record of 22.
Ethics committee hears about buildings department’s failure to implement Office of Inspector General recommendations – The Daily Line, July 22, 2024
The Department of Buildings (DOB) has done little to correct lackluster and unsafe permit inspection practices since the inspector general issued recommendations in an audit report two years ago, City Council Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight heard on Tuesday.
Chicago-area residents worry about how a new candidate will address immigration, Gaza, environment – Chicago Tribune, July 21, 2024
President Joe Biden’s decision Sunday to withdraw his candidacy from the presidential race after months of pressure from fellow Democrats comes as Chicago ramps up preparations for the Democratic National Convention amid a variety of concerns from residents.
Over a year in office, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign coffers still buoyed by unions – Chicago Tribune, July 21, 2024
Since his election as mayor of Chicago in April last year, Brandon Johnson has raised $2.6 million, nearly half of which has come from a variety of labor organizations — some of them key backers from his election campaign, others that came around afterward.
Activist groups seek new probe into Chicago cops’ ties to Oath Keepers – Chicago Sun Times, July 20, 2024
Residents and members of social justice groups join civil rights groups and the city watchdog in calling on the Office of the Inspector General to investigate the officers named in a probe into extremist groups.
Editorial: Chicago needs transit reform now – Crain’s Chicago Business, July 19, 2024
Amid the unprecedented, high-stakes drama swirling around this year’s presidential race — not to mention recent legal rulings that have harmed or helped various local practitioners of political graft — it’s easy to forget that government, when it’s run well, is meant to serve a humble purpose: providing the day-to-day services that few of us individually could afford to provide for ourselves. Security in the form of police forces and firefighters springs to mind. Public schools. Sanitation. And, as Chicago is fortunate to have in abundance, transportation.
City Club of Chicago: From Legislation to Action – The Impact of Gun Safety Laws in Illinois – WGN, July 19, 2024
Since 2017, Illinois has ushered in five significant gun safety laws, thanks to the relentless commitment of survivors, advocates, and state leaders. These new laws were the first major strides of a concerted effort to challenge the state’s gun lobby and address the devastating impact of firearms on families and communities. During the summer months, historically associated with increased rates of gun violence, it is critical to reflect on the impact of these laws with state leaders and explore the next challenges in the mission to end gun violence in Illinois.
