2024 Illinois Primary Voter Guide

Although a rematch between President Joseph R. Biden and former President Donald J. Trump is all but set, voters who turn out for the Illinois primary Tuesday, March 19 will still be able to make their voice heard regarding the direction of government at the local, state and national levels. 

Early voting is open at locations throughout the city including sites near Loyola such as the Edgewater Public Library at 6000 N. Broadway St. and White (Willye B.) Park at 1610 W. Howard St. Residents of Illinois can register to vote in-person up until and on election day, according to Vote.gov.

Those who intend to vote on election day can find the polling place nearest to them and check their registration status using the Chicago Board of Elections’ Voter Information Lookup Tool. 

Primary elections in Illinois are “semi-open,” meaning voters are required to declare a party affiliation to vote but can request either party’s ballot when voting, according to Eric Hansen, a political science professor at Loyola. 

Noteworthy Races

U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, who represents Illinois’ 9th Congressional District which includes the Lake Shore Campus, is running to serve her 12th term in the House of Representatives. Schakowsky, a member of the House Progressive Caucus, faces no primary challenges and no candidate qualified for the Republican nominating contest.

In contests for the Illinois General Assembly, State Representative Kelly Cassidy, who represents the 14th District, and State Senator Mike Simmons, who represents the 7th District, are both running unopposed. The Republican Party hasn’t fielded a candidate for either office, according to the Illinois Board of Elections. 

A seat on the Illinois Supreme Court is also up for election. Incumbent Democratic Justice Joy Cunningham, a native of the Uptown neighborhood, is facing challenger Justice Jesse G. Reyes, a native of the Pilsen neighborhood, who currently serves on the Illinois Appellate Court. No candidates are competing for the Republican nomination. The current makeup of the Illinois Supreme Court is seven Democrats and two Republicans. 

There is a contested race in the Democratic Primary for Cook County State’s Attorney, the office responsible for prosecuting those accused of violating Illinois state law. Clayton Harris III is a prosecutor who has previously worked in the State Attorney’s office. He went on to work throughout the Illinois government including as the chief of staff in the governor’s office. 

Also running is Justice Eileen O’Niell Burke, who previously worked as a prosecutor in the assistant state attorney’s office. Burke was elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County in 2008 and has served as a Justice on the Cook County Appellate Court since 2016, according to Burke’s campaign website.

Harris III has garnered endorsements from progressive members of the Chicago City Council and Cook County Board of Directors while Burke has curried the favor of more moderate local elected officials. 

Ballot Measures

Voters can also weigh in on Ballot Question 1, which regards proposed changes to the city’s tax code. The referendum, which supporters have dubbed “Bring Chicago Home,” would raise the real estate transfer tax on real estate sold for more than $1 million by 166.67% and the tax on sales totaling more than $1,500,000 by 300%, according to the text of the question. 

The measure would also decrease the real estate transfer tax on holdings sold for less than $1 million by 20%. 

“The revenue from the increase is to be used for the purpose of addressing homelessness, including providing permanent affordable housing and the services necessary to obtain and maintain permanent housing in the City of Chicago,” the question reads.
The real estate transfer tax is a one-time fee paid when a property is sold. Proponents of the measure say it is necessary to address homelessness by creating a dedicated revenue stream to provide affordable housing, while detractors say they’re concerned the new revenue could be used for other city functions and the tax increase will inhibit economic development.

Featured image by Austin Hojdar / The Phoenix