Illinois Election 2022: Voters Decide On Governor, U.S. Senator, More

ILLINOIS — The polls have opened in Illinois, and voters will decide who will be the next governor, as well as casting their ballot for races including attorney general and secretary of state.

In April, Patch surveyed readers, asking what Illinois voters were most concerned about heading into the 2022 elections. Unsurprisingly, the economy, more specifically record inflation, was the biggest concern of most readers who responded.

It remains to be seen how those concerns will play out as voters cast their ballots, but the Democrats and Republicans have all been hard at work campaigning in the days leading up to the election.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were in Illinois over the weekend to stump for Illinois Democrats, while Republican State Sen. Darren Bailey held a rally in Chicago to boost his campaign for governor.

The polls close at 7 p.m. If you're voting by mail, remember that your ballot must be postmarked by today, Nov. 8.

Races to watch in Illinois

Governor's race

As of Tuesday, polls showed Gov. J.B. Pritzker leading his challenger, state Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) by a good margin.

Billionaire Governor Looks To Fend Off Downstate Farmer's Longshot Bid: IL Election 2022

Bailey, a farmer from Clay County, was a loud critic of Pritzker's COVID-19 restrictions.

Attorney General

The incumbent, Democrat Kwame Raoul, will face off against another vocal critic of COVID-19 restrictions, attorney Thomas DeVore.

Raoul Vs. Lawyer DeVore For Attorney General: Illinois Election 2022

DeVore is a Republican who made a name for himself by filing lawsuits — most of them unsuccessful — over Pritzker's COVID-19 restrictions.

Secretary of State

With longtime Secretary of State Jesse White, 88, not seeking reelection, it's the first time in decades that voters will elect someone new to the office.

Illinois Secretary Of State Race: Giannoulias, Brady Competing

Former Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias will face Dan Brady, a state representative. Libertarian Jon Stewart is also on the ballot.

Comptroller

Incumbent Democrat Susana A. Mendoza, whose recent campaign ad received attention last week from late-night TV hosts, is seeking re-election against McHenry County auditor Shannon Teresi and Libertarian Deirdre McCloskey

3 Vie For Illinois' State Comptroller Seat: Illinois Election 2022

Crystal Lake resident Teresi has been McHenry County auditor since 2018.

Treasurer

Democrat Mike Frerichs looks to keep his seat against Republican Tom Demmer, a state representative.

State Finances Take Center Stage In Illinois Treasurer's Race

U.S. Senate

Democrat Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran and Purple Heart recipient, will look to hold onto her U.S. Senate seat against Lake County attorney Kathy Salvi, a Republican.

Duckworth Seeks Second Term As U.S. Senator, Facing Salvi and Redpath

The race also includes Libertarian Bill Redpath, National Union Party member Connor Vlakancic and Independent write-in candidate Lowell Seida.

U.S. Representatives

1st Congressional District

After longtime Congressman Bobby Rush, a Democrat, opted not to seek reelection, the Democratic ballot was crowded in the June primary.

Jonathan Jackson emerged victorious from a field of 17 Democratic candidates to get the nomination. He will face Eric Carlson of Lemont.

6th Congressional District

Sean Casten defeated Marie Newman in the newly redrawn 6th District in the Democratic primary, and will take on Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau.

Casten v Pekau: Can IL's 'Likely Democratic' 6th District Be Flipped?

Self-avowed Nazi Art Jones, who has unsuccessfully run for Congress several times, is also running as a write-in, this time as an Independent rather than a Republican.

8th Congressional District

Incumbent Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi has represented the 8th District since 2017 and will take on Republican Chris Dargis, a businessman and retired Naval officer and nuclear engineer from Palatine.

Illinois' 8th Congressional District Race: General Election 2022

11th Congressional District

Democrat Bill Foster, a physicist, has represented the 11th District since 2012.

Foster, Lauf Face Off In 11th Congressional District: IL Election 2022

Republican challenger Catalina Lauf served as a U.S. Department of Commerce adviser after being appointed by the Trump administration. Donald Wagner is an Independent write-in candidate.

14th Congressional District

Congresswoman Lauren Underwood is looking to win a second term against Republican Kendall County Board member Scott Gryder.

Underwood, Gryder Face Off in 14th District Race: IL Election 2022

Gryder's platform focused on preserving Second Amendment Rights, improving access to mental health services, protecting Medicare and expanding services for United States veterans. Before becoming a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Underwood worked as a nurse while also serving as a special assistant/senior adviser and policy coordinator for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Also on the ballot

Known as the workers' rights amendment, Illinois voters' ballots will also contain Amendment 1, which if approved would establish a constitutional right for workers to organize and take part in collective bargaining.

Proposed Workers' Rights Amendment To Go Before Illinois Voters

The bill, which was drafted by the Illinois General Assembly in 2021, provides that “employees shall have the fundamental right to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing for the purpose of negotiating wages, hours and working conditions and to “protect their economic welfare and safety at work.”