5 Illinois election storylines to watch on Election Day
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Illinois voters head to the polls Tuesday to decide who will lead the state, represent them in Washington and oversee Chicago's public schools.
Why it matters: Beyond the marquee races for governor and U.S. Senate, the results could reshape political power in our area for years to come.
Here are five storylines we're watching:
Chicago's new school board: For the first time, Chicago voters will elect all 20 Board of Education members and a citywide president.
- While all eyes are on the race for school board president, the district results could dramatically reshape the Board of Education and its relationship with Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union.
Chicago's voter turnout: Early voting has outpaced the comparable period in 2022, but will that translate into higher overall turnout?
By the numbers: More than 280,000 Chicagoans have already voted ahead of Tuesday's election, an 18% increase over the same point before Election Day in 2022, according to the Chicago Board of Elections.
- In-person early voting is up 34%, with 179,989 ballots cast through Sunday.
- Vote-by-mail returns are down 3%, with 100,562 ballots returned.
- Another 142,701 requested mail ballots have yet to be returned.
The big picture: Chicago's early voting increase is being driven by in-person voting, although the final turnout picture won't be clear until Election Day ballots are counted.
Election Day security: Will ICE agents or other federal law enforcement officers appear near Chicago polling places Tuesday?
- The Justice Department says ICE and FBI personnel won't serve as election monitors, though employees of other federal agencies may participate.
- Chicago election officials are coordinating with local, state and federal authorities to respond to potential voter intimidation or disruptions at the polls.
A changing of the guard in Congress: Five of the U.S. House members representing parts of the Chicago area are leaving their seats, along with longtime Sen. Dick Durbin.
- That means Chicago is losing decades of congressional seniority as a new generation of lawmakers heads to Washington.
The future of House Speaker Chris Welch: Democrats could expand their supermajority in Springfield, but Welch is facing questions about his leadership within his own caucus, according to Capitol News Illinois.
- Welch has faced criticism from fellow Democrats over his handling of sexual harassment allegations involving a former state lawmaker.
The intrigue: Tuesday's results could set the stage for a leadership challenge against House Speaker Chris Welch. Democrats could decide whether to back him before the new General Assembly formally elects its speaker in January.
- Uncertainty over his leadership could complicate negotiations during November's veto session, including a potential deal to keep the Bears in Illinois.
The bottom line: Election Night won't just determine who wins. It will help set the political agenda for Chicago and Illinois in 2027 and beyond.