From Pritzker to Jesse Jackson Jr.: Key 2026 Illinois election storylines
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Illinois Democrats and Republicans took to the state fairgrounds in Springfield this week to rally the troops for the 2026 midterm elections.
Why it matters: With all the musical chairs, this could be one of the most active and competitive election seasons in recent history.
Driving the news: Gov. JB Pritzker and local Democrats used their speeches to oppose the Trump administration, while Republicans focused on economic issues.
As we get started on the march to the March primary, here are five storylines to watch:
Republicans still in limbo
While the Democrats are off to the races in their campaigns for U.S. Senate and governor, Republicans have been much slower to start the process.
For Dick Durbin's open Senate seat, former Illinois GOP chair Don Tracy just announced he's running. Tracy has some name recognition, but didn't support President Trump last year, which ended up contributing to his departure as chair.
- Without MAGA credentials, Tracy may have a difficult time courting downstate voters.
- Richard Porter, who worked for President George W. Bush and was a delegate at Trump's RNC in Milwaukee, decided not to run.
Yes, but: Where are the candidates for governor? Some Republicans have thrown their hats in the ring, but none with name recognition or deep pockets to counter Pritzker.
What's a comptroller?
The race to replace outgoing Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza may be more competitive than first thought.
- Pritzker and the party have thrown their support behind state Rep. Margaret Croke, but her statehouse colleague, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, just announced her candidacy.
- Kifowit was one of the first lawmakers to call for Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to step down in 2020, but was unsuccessful in replacing him as speaker after he did.
Junior wants his seat back
Jesse Jackson Jr., who held the 2nd Congressional District seat before campaign finance-related crimes sent him to federal prison, wants his old job back now that he's out.
- Robin Kelly, who replaced Jackson, is running for U.S. Senate, leaving the seat open.
- Will South Side Chicago voters forget his past indiscretions to give him another chance to represent them in Congress?
- It won't be easy for Jackson, who will face off against a who's who of South Side politicians, including Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller and state Sen. Robert Peters.
The Danny Davis departure
The race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Danny Davis in the 7th District is also going to be tight. Davis endorsed state Rep. La Shawn Ford, but former West Side commissioner Richard Boykin also wants the seat. Progressive Kina Collins, who pushed Davis in the last two Democratic primaries, believes this is her time.
- And let's not forget former Ald. Walter Burnett, who may also emerge as a dark horse candidate in this race if he doesn't get the Chicago Housing Authority job.
The Empire Strikes Back
The Cook County Democratic Party turned its back on incumbent Assessor Fritz Kaegi for 2026, pointing to his record with assessments over his two terms in office.
Reality check: Kaegi ran as a progressive outsider in 2018, convincing voters that the system needed reform.
- The Cook County Democrats have instead put their weight behind Lyons Township Assessor Patrick Hynes, whose family name (nephew of former Assessor Tom Hynes) was instrumental in creating the very same party politics that Kaegi successfully convinced voters was a problem.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to say Jesse Jackson Jr. held the 2nd Congressional District seat (not the 1st).