Surprise, it’s election season!… Who didn’t see that coming?
14 East created a voter guide to focus on the local aspects of the upcoming Nov. 5 election that will affect Cook County and the city of Chicago.
Important Dates:
August 7: First day to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot
September 20: Last day to mail ballots to persons in the U.S. military, their spouse, and/or their dependents of voting age, citizens temporarily residing outside the territorial limits of the United States and nonresident civilians.
September 26: First day to mail Vote By Mail ballots to voters.
October 3: First day of Early Voting at the Chicago Board of Elections Supersite at 191 N. Clark and CBOE Offices at 69 W. Washington St on the 6th Floor.
October 8: Last day for regular voter registration or transfer of registration.
October 9: First day of Grace Period/Same-Day Registration and voting.
October 20: Last day to register to vote online on the Illinois State Board of Elections website.
October 21: First day of Early Voting in all 50 Wards of Chicago.
October 31: Last day to apply for a Vote By Mail ballot for the November 5, 2024, General Election.
November 4: Last day of Early Voting.
Tuesday, November 5: Election Day. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters will be able to cast their ballots at either their assigned precinct polling place or any Chicago vote center.
Same-day registration is available at all locations.
Registering to Vote:
You may register to vote online at the state’s online registration portal. You may also download a registration form and mail it in, or register at your early voting location, an election office or your polling location on Election Day.
To register to vote in Illinois, you must meet the following requirements:
-You must be a United States citizen.
-You must be 17 years old on or before the date of the Primary Election and turn 18 on or before the date of the General or consolidated election.
-You must live in your election precinct at least 30 days prior to Election Day.
-You must not be serving a sentence of confinement in any penal institution as a result of a conviction.
-You may not claim the right to vote anywhere else.
All registered voters may request to vote by mail. Ballots must be postmarked or dropped off by Tuesday, November 5 at 7 p.m. The U.S. Postal Service recommends that voters request their ballots at least 15 days before Election Day and mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date.
To find your voter information, make sure to visit this official link from the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.
Who/What is on the Ballot:
U.S. President: The president is both the head of state and head of government of the United States of America, and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The President is responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws created by Congress and, to that end, appoints the heads of the federal agencies, including the Cabinet. They serve for four years.
U.S. Representatives: Illinois State Representatives introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments and serve on committees for two-year terms. Click here for nonpartisan candidate information in each district, and here to find your district.
Candidates:
District 1
Jonathan L. Jackson (Incumbent/Democrat)
-Supports: aid to Ukraine; background checks on gun sales; a federal ban on semi-automatic assault-style weapons; access to safe and legal abortion services
-Opposes: aid to Israel
-Believes President Joe Biden legitimately won the 2020 election
Marcus Lewis (Challenger/Republican)
-Retired
-Has not had political experience, although this is his eighth consecutive run for Congress
-Supports: mass deportations and securing the border; abortion as a state issue; aid to Israel; background checks on all gun sales
-Opposes: aid to Ukraine; a federal ban on semi-automatic assault-style weapons
-Does not believe Biden legitimately won the 2020 election
District 2
Robin Kelly (Incumbent/Democrat)
–Supports: path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants; “common-sense” legislation to reduce gun violence; protecting the Affordable Healthcare Act; nationwide access to reproductive healthcare and legal and safe abortions; aid to Israel; aid to Ukraine
Ashley Ramos (Challenger/Republican)
-Works as E-commerce specialist
-Experience as local precinct committeeman
–Supports: a restrictive border policy; abortion as a state issue
–Opposes: aid to Ukraine; aid to Israel; background checks on all gun sales; federal ban on semi-automatic assault-style weapons
-Believes Biden legitimately won the 2020 election
District 3
Delia Ramirez (Incumbent/Democrat)
–Supports: protecting DACA and expanding immigrant access to work permits; aid to Ukraine; background checks on gun sales; federal ban on semi-automatic assault-style weapons; nationwide access to reproductive healthcare and safe and legal abortions
–Opposes: aid to Israel
-Believes Biden legitimately won the 2020 election
John Booras (Challenger/Republican)
-Works as an attorney and former police officer
–Supports: legal immigration but not open borders; abortion as a state issue; aid to Israel
–Opposes: aid to Ukraine; background checks on all gun sales; federal ban on semi-automatic assault-style weapons
-Does not believe Biden legitimately won the 2020 election
District 4
Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (Incumbent/Democrat)
–Supports: protecting DACA and expanding immigrant access to work permits; nationwide access to reproductive healthcare and safe and legal abortions; background checks on gun sales; federal ban on semi-automatic assault-style weapons; aid to Ukraine
–Opposes: aid to Israel
-Believes Biden legitimately won the 2020 election
Lupe Castillo (Challenger/Republican)
–Supports: strengthening border security; energy independence; 2nd Amendment rights
District 5
Mike Quigley (Incumbent/Democrat)
–Supports: protecting DACA and expanding immigrant access to work permits; nationwide access to reproductive healthcare and safe and legal abortions; aid to Ukraine; aid to Israel; background checks on all gun sales; a federal ban on semi-automatic assault-style weapons
-Believes Biden legitimately won the 2020 election
Tommy Hanson (Challenger/Republican)
-Works in real estate
–Supports: closing the border; abortion as a state decision; background checks on all gun sales
–Opposes: aid to Ukraine; aid to Israel; federal ban on semi-automatic assault-style weapons
-Believes Biden legitimately won the 2020 election
District 6
Sean Casten (Incumbent/Democrat)
–Supports: creating a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants; nationwide access to reproductive healthcare and safe and legal abortions; aid to Ukraine; aid to Israel; background checks on gun sales; a federal ban on semi-automatic assault-style weapons
-Believes Biden legitimately won the 2020 election
Niki Conforti (Challenger/Republican)
-Works as an energy consultant
-Previously elected precinct committeeman
–Supports: building the wall and securing the border; replacing the Affordable Healthcare Act; 2nd Amendment rights; abortion as a state issue
–Opposes: access to abortions (except in cases of rape, incest and life of mother)
District 7
Danny K. Davis (Incumbent/Democrat)
-Supports: path to citizenship for legal entrants; nationwide access to reproductive healthcare and abortions; aid to Ukraine; aid to Israel; background checks on all gun sales; a federal ban on semi-automatic assault-style weapons
-Believes Biden legitimately won the 2020 election
Chad Koppie (Challenger/Republican)
-Retired farmer and jet pilot
–Supports: mass deportations and finishing the border wall; national abortion ban; aid to Israel
–Opposes: aid to Ukraine; background checks on all gun sales; a federal ban on semi-automatic assault-style weapons
-Does not believe Biden legitimately won the 2020 election
District 8
Raja Krishnamoorthi (Incumbent/Democrat)
–Supports: nationwide access to reproductive healthcare and legal and safe abortions; aid to Ukraine; aid to Israel; background checks on all gun sales; a federal ban on semi-automatic assault-style weapons
-Believes Biden legitimately won the 2020 election
Mark Rice (Challenger/Republican)
-Works in energy management
–Supports: aid to Israel; background checks on all gun sales
–Opposes: federal ban on semi-automatic assault-style weapons; aid to Ukraine
-Believes Biden legitimately won the 2020 election
District 9
Janice D. Schakowsky (Incumbent/Democrat)
–Supports: reproductive freedom; two-state solution for Israel and Palestine; gun safety legislation; protection of the Affordable Care Act; access to abortion for all U.S. women; aid to Ukraine
-Believes Biden legitimately won the 2020 election
Seth Alan Cohen (Challenger/Republican)
-Served in the U.S. Marine Corps
–Supports: securing the border, reforming immigration law, and “Remain in Mexico” policy; aid to Israel and a single Israeli State; aid to Ukraine; end to deficit spending
Illinois Supreme Court Judges: The Illinois Supreme Court is the state’s highest court. They have administrative and supervisory authority over the state’s trial courts, one appellate court with five districts and several supporting units. Justices are elected in partisan elections for 10-year terms and may be retained in office for additional terms of 10 years.
A chief justice is elected by the other justices for a term of three years. The Supreme Court has original and exclusive jurisdiction in matters that involve legislative redistricting and determining the ability of the governor to serve in office. The Supreme Court of Illinois is composed of seven justices, and a majority vote of four is required to decide a case. Judges each serve 10 years. Click here for more information on the candidates.
Candidates:
First District
Joy Virginia Cunningham (Incumbent/Democrat)
-Worked as an Illinois Appellate Court Justice from 2006 to 2022, and has served at all three levels of the judiciary in Illinois
-Grew up in a “tight-knit working class family that deeply valued education and community service”
Jesse G. Reyes (Challenger/Democrat)
-Current Appellate Justice for the Illinois Appellate Court, First District
-Prior to serving in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Reyes worked as an attorney for the Chicago Board of Education’s Law Department
-Raised by an immigrant family in Pilsen and Bridgeport
Fourth District
Lisa Holder White (Incumbent/Republican)
-From 2001 served as an Associate Judge in the Sixth Judicial Circuit and was appointed as a Circuit Judge for the Illinois Supreme Court in 2008
-Justice White was sworn in as the first Black member of the Illinois Appellate Court (Fourth District) in 2013. In 2022 she was sworn in as a Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, the first Black woman to hold this position
Illinois Appellate Court Judges: The Illinois Appellate Court consists of 54 judges who are divided between five judicial districts (to locate your district, visit this link). Those judges hear appeals from the circuits within that district. Cook County comprises the entire first judicial district. The rest of the state is divided into the other four judicial districts. Three judges hear an appellate case, and two are required to decide the case. After the appellate court decides an appeal, a person may ask the Illinois Supreme Court to review the appellate court’s decision. Elected judges each serve 10-year terms. Click here to access the guide from the Injustice Watch.
Water Reclamation District Commissioner: The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) is responsible for protecting homes and businesses from flood damage and for protecting the water quality of Lake Michigan and Chicago-area rivers and streams. The nine-member Board of Commissioners has an annual budget of $1.4 billion to invest in infrastructure projects like its system of deep tunnels and reservoirs. The MWRD also treats wastewater from Chicago and 128 surrounding communities at seven water reclamation plants. Elected commissioners serve on a part-time basis; three commissioners are elected every two years for six-year terms. Click here for more information about the candidates.
Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court: The clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County manages court records and court orders and serves the more than 400 judges who hear traffic, civil, criminal, juvenile and all other cases originating in Chicago and suburban Cook County. Click for more information about the candidates.
Candidates:
Iris Y. Martinez (Incumbent/Democrat)
-Worked as Illinois State Senator, 20th District, 2003-2020; Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, 2020 – Present; Democratic Party of Illinois State Central Committeewoman, 4th District, 1998- 2022; Cook County Democratic Party 33rd Ward Committeeperson, 2020- Present; Democratic National Committee, Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman
-Believes in allowing journalists and scholars to have the data to produce independent, nonpartisan, analysis of justice policies
Lupe Aguirre (Challenger/Republican)
-Private attorney and Chicago police officer
Michael Murphy (Challenger/Libertarian)
-Currently works in IT systems administration
-Believes the system is broken and needs to be fixed.
-Political party: Libertarian
Mariyana Spyropoulos (Challenger/Democrat)
-Currently an attorney
-Elected MWRD Commissioner, 2010, 2016 and 2022
-Believes citizens deserve leaders who have experience in the legal system and a track record of results as elected officials.
-Political party: Democrat
Cook County State’s Attorney: The Cook County state’s attorney leads the office in prosecuting tens of thousands of felony and misdemeanor crimes in Cook County. Click for more detailed information about the candidates.
Candidates:
Eileen O’Neill Burke (Challenger/Democrat)
-Former prosecutor, criminal defense attorney and judge
-Wants to reshape the office to combat violent crime and “root causes of crime like poverty and historic disinvestment in communities through a newly fashioned restorative justice bureau”
-Believes that the role of the state’s attorney is to tackle violent crime while at the same time having a thoughtful approach to restorative justice
Robert W. Fioretti (Challenger/Republican)
-Currently is a civil rights attorney, served as a Chicago alderman for two terms from 2007 to 2015. Also has experience in the City of Chicago Corporation Counsel Office as well as being an Illinois assistant attorney general
-Was a candidate for State’s Attorney (2022), a candidate for mayor of Chicago (2015 and 2019) and a candidate for Cook County Board President (2018 and 2022).
-Believes that the State’s Attorney’s Office needs major changes, specifically citing alleged failures of Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, who is not running for re-election
Clayton Harris III (Challenger/Democrat)
-Currently is a professor of public policy at the University of Chicago
-Parent who lives on the South Side of Chicago and formerly worked as an assistant state’s attorney, who came through the Criminal Appeals, Traffic, Narcotics, and Special Prosecutions divisions
-Believes that the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office can improve in communicating to the public as well as pushing towards criminal justice reform
Andrew Charles Kopinski (Challenger/Libertarian)
-Worked as attorney, CPA, real estate broker
-Past political experience includes Libertarian Leyden Township Committeeperson
-Believes in reducing violent crime and property crime in Cook County so that the people feel “safer and more optimistic”
Cook County Circuit Court and Subcircuit Judges: One-third of Cook County circuit judges are elected countywide. The other two-thirds of judicial seats are distributed between 20 geographic subcircuits. Only candidates who live in that subcircuit can run for an open seat and only voters who live there can vote for them. Once elected, all Illinois judges will run for “retention” in the general election, which means they don’t face challengers after six years. Voters choose yes or no, and the judge has to get 60% yes votes to remain on the bench. Click here for more information on Circuit Court judge candidates, and click here for more information on subcircuit judge candidates.
Chicago School Board of Education Members (10 members): Board Members fulfill a number of specific key responsibilities, including, but not limited to: hiring and evaluating the chief executive officer (CEO); establishing the direction, goals, and priorities for the district; approving district policies, purchasing decisions, contracts, intergovernmental agreements, district budget and capital improvement plan; and approving the school year calendar, school continuous improvement plans, school actions, school charters and contracts. For more in-depth information on Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Board Elections, you can start here and continue following coverage by ChalkBeat, WBEZ and Sun-Times to find out more about candidates here as well as information for each individual district here.
Referenda and Local Options
The following are City and Statewide Referenda and Advisory questions that will appear on the ballot. Below each question you can find 14 East’s simplified versions.
Statewide Advisory Questions:
The Election Worker Protection Referendum
“Should any candidate appearing on the Illinois ballot for federal, state, or local office be subject to civil penalties if the candidate interferes or attempts to interfere with an election worker’s official duties?”
In other words: Should candidates on the Illinois ballot face civil penalties for interfering with election workers’ duties?
The Property Tax Relief and Fairness Referendum
“Should the Illinois Constitution be amended to create an additional 3% tax on income greater than $1,000,000 for the purpose of dedicating funds raised to property tax relief?”
The Assisted Reproductive Health Referendum
“Should all medically appropriate assisted reproductive treatments, including, but not limited to, in vitro fertilization, be covered by any health insurance plan in Illinois that provides coverage for pregnancy benefits, without limitation on the number of treatments?”
In other words: Should Illinois health insurance plans with pregnancy benefit coverage also cover all medically appropriate assisted reproductive treatments, including — but not limited to — IVF (in vitro fertilization), with no limits on the amount of treatments?
To the Voters of the proposed Englewood and Greater Chatham Expanded Mental Health Services Program Area:
Establishing an Englewood and Greater Chatham Mental Health Services Program
“Shall there be established, to serve the territory commonly described on this ballot or notice of this question, an Englewood and Greater Chatham Expanded Mental Health Services Program, to provide direct free mental health services for any resident of the territory who needs assistance in overcoming or coping with mental or emotional disorders, where such program will be funded through an increase of not more than .025% of the equalized assessed valuation of all properties within the boundaries of the territory?”
Funding an Englewood and Greater Chatham Mental Health Services Program
“Under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, may an aggregate extension not to exceed $700,000 be made for the Englewood and Greater Chatham Expanded Mental Health Services Program for the 2025 levy year?”
In other words: Should Englewood and Greater Chatham launch a mental health program with free services, funded by a .025% rise in property valuation?
What’s a rise in property valuation?
This means the tax rate applied to properties would increase by .025% to fund the mental health services program.
To the Voters of the proposed Near Southwest Side Expanded Mental Health Services Program Area:
Establishing a Near Southwest Mental Health Services Program
“Shall there be established, to serve the territory commonly described on this ballot or notice of this question, a Near Southwest Side Expanded Mental Health Services Program, to provide direct free mental health services for any resident of the territory who needs assistance in overcoming or coping with mental or emotional disorders, where such program will be funded through an increase of not more than .025% of the equalized assessed valuation of all properties within the boundaries of the territory?”
Funding a Near Southwest Mental Health Services Program
“Under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, may an aggregate extension not to exceed $1,200,000 be made for the Near Southwest Side Expanded Mental Health Services Program for the 2025 levy year?”
In other words: Should the Near Southwest Side Expanded Mental Health Services Program provide free direct mental health services to any resident of the territory when needed, funded by a .025% rise in property valuation?
*For definition on “property valuation,” see previous referendum.*
To the Voters of 1st, 9th and 10th Precincts of the 7th Ward:
Supporting a South Shore CBA Ordinance W07 P01
“Shall our Alderman Greg Mitchell & Mayor Brandon Johnson support a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) ordinance to prevent the displacement of renters, condo & home owners in South Shore in light of the impact of the Obama Center and growing development in the area by taking steps that include but are not limited to 1) funding home repair, increasing homeownership & property tax relief 2) eviction protection, rental relief and a ban on application & move in fees 3) development of 100% income based social housing on city owned vacant lots & 4) local hiring and jobs programs”
In other words: Should Alderman Greg Mitchell and Mayor Brandon Johnson support an ordinance to prevent displacement of South Shore residents (due to the Obama Center and development in the area) including:
- Funding home repairs, boosting homeownership and providing property tax relief
- Eviction protection, rental relief and a ban on application as well as move-in fees
- Building fully income-based housing on vacant city-owned lots
- Implementing local hiring and job programs?
To the Voters of 5th Precinct of the 8th Ward:
Supporting a South Shore CBA Ordinance W08 P05
“Shall our Alderman Michelle A. Harris & Mayor Brandon Johnson support a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) ordinance to prevent the displacement of renters, condo & home owners in South Shore in light of the impact of the Obama Center and growing development in the area by taking steps that include but are not limited to 1) funding home repair, increasing homeownership & property tax relief 2) eviction protection, rental relief and a ban on application & move in fees 3) development of 100% income based housing on city owned vacant lots & 4) local hiring and jobs programs”
In other words: Should Alderman Michelle A. Harris and Mayor Brandon Johnson support an ordinance to prevent displacement of South Shore residents (due to the Obama Center and development in the area) including:
- Funding home repairs, boosting homeownership and providing property tax relief
- Eviction protection, rental relief and a ban on application as well as move-in fees
- Building fully income-based housing on vacant city-owned lots
- Implementing local hiring and job programs?
To the Voters of the 16th Ward:
Supporting Extra-Curriculum Activities in CPS
“Each public school in the Ward to begin and maintain extra-curriculum activities including; baseball, softball, flag football, track, band, and choir to begin at second grade through 12th grade”
To the Voters of Precincts 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, and 17 of the 29th Ward:
Funding a New Chicago Bears Stadium
“Shall the people of Chicago provide any taxpayer subsidy to the Chicago Bears to build a new stadium?”
In other words: Should taxpayer dollars be used to build the Chicago Bears a new stadium?
To the Voters of 9th Precinct of the 47th Ward:
Continuing Prohibition of Liquor W47 P09
“Shall the prohibition of the sale at retail of alcoholic liquor be continued in the 9th Precinct of the 47th Ward of the City of Chicago (as such precinct existed as of the last general election)?”
In other words: Should the retail sale of alcoholic liquor remain prohibited in the 9th Precinct of the 47th Ward?
Still have questions about voting? 14 East is hosting a public newsroom with voting experts on Wednesday, October 16, 5-7 p.m. Visit @14eastmag for more details.
If you are a student voting out of state, please reference our out-of-state voter guide.
Header by Alexis Phelps
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