Election 2016: Voter Guide

Take a look at the races and referenda you the voters will decide Nov. 8:

Mark Kirk vs. Tammy Duckworth: U.S. Senate Race's High Stakes Have Kept Campaigns in High Gear

Political observers knew the race to fill the Illinois U.S. Senate seat up for election this year would be contentious, given how important it is to both parties. But the battle between incumbent Republican Sen. Mark Kirk and his challenger, Rep. Tammy Duckworth, has almost beeen as fiery and brutal as the presidential race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

Munger vs. Mendoza: A Big-Money Fight for Comptroller as Illinois Faces Crushing Debt and Unpaid Bills

Leslie Munger, 60, of Lincolnshire, and Susana Mendoza, 44, of Chicago, are angling for your votes in a special election for comptroller. Munger, a Republican, was appointed to the post by the governor in January 2015 after Topinka's death. Mendoza, twice elected to the Chicago city clerk's post, served six terms in the General Assembly.

Bob Dold Faces Brad Schneider in Race for Illinois’ 10th Congressional District

In what is expected to be one of the closest elections in Chicagoland next week and one of the tightest involving a United States Congressional District across the nation, incumbent Bob Dold takes on challenger Brad Schneider in the race for Illinois’ 10th Congressional District.

11th Congressional District: Incumbent Bill Foster Takes On Challenger Tonia Khouri

Incumbent Bill Foster will try to hold onto his 11th District United States Congressional seat in Illinois for a second term against Republican challenger Tonia Khouri.

6th Congressional District: Attorney Taking on 5-Term Incumbent

Republican Rep. Peter Roskam will try to hold onto his seat for a sixth term against Democratic challenger Amanda Howland.

Krishnamoorthi, DiCanni Vie For Duckworth's Open Seat in 8th Congressional District

In the race for the open 8th Congressional District seat, business owner Raja Krishnamoorthi, who has the endorsement of President Barack Obama and a clear campaign funding advantage, will be running against Peter DiCanni, a current commissioner on the DuPage County Board.

Pierog Taking on Oberweis in Race for 25th District of State Senate

The race for State Senator of Illinois’ 25th District comes down to a battle between incumbent Republican Jim Oberweis and Democrat Corinne Pierog.

GOP Candidate Victor Horne Challenges Dem Incumbent Fran Hurley in 35th State House Race

Democrat Fran Hurley is making her third run for the 35th District in the Illinois House of Representatives.Hurley is being challenged by Republican Victor Horne, of Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood, in the Nov. 8 General Election.

Naperville Referenda: Combining Roadway Services, Abolishing Township Government

There will be two proposals on the ballot for Naperville and Naperville Township residents.

Plainfield Park District Asking Voters to Approve Referendum

The Plainfield Township Park District is asking voters to approve a referendum in order to finance a new recreation center, improve the site it’s on, improve neighborhood parks and improve and equip parks and park facilities.

White Oak Library District Referendum: Increased Tax Would Fund Improve Services

The White Oak Library District has a referendum back on the ballot that would increase taxes to fund improved services.

Streamline System to Battle Mosquitoes? DuPage County Voters Will Weigh In

DuPage County voters will get to weigh in on whether they want to streamline and consolidate efforts to combat mosquitoes.

District 200 is Asking Oak Park Residents to Say 'Yes' to $25 Million: 5 Things You Need to Know

Two referendums will make appearances on Oak Park's Nov. 8 ballot, and one of the issues up for a vote is whether School District 200 should be allowed to borrow $25 million to build a new swimming pool facility, parking garage and several new classroom and performance spaces. The proposal has been discussed at length for a few years now, but initial conversations about building more updated pools go back a decade and a half.

Breaking Down District 181's $53 Million Proposal to Build a New School: What You Need to Know

For not the first, but the second time, Hinsdale School District 181 is asking voters to say ‘yes’ to a referendum that would allow the district to sell $53 million in bonds to fund the building of a new middle school.

District 102 Asks La Grange Community For $3 Million to Ease Financial Strain

News that La Grange School District 102 has struggled financially in the recent past isn’t new information, but this fall the district decided to take its case to its community with a referendum that will show up on ballots next week.

Western Springs Asks Voters For $12 Million In Road Improvements: What You Need to Know

Residents of Western Springs will not only see governmental candidates on their ballots next week — they’ll also be presented with a referendum asking them to approve $12 million worth of road improvement projects.

Palos District 118 Building Addition in Voters' Hands

Taxpayers on Nov 8 will decide if they approve their school district's idea of a four-classroom addition at Palos West School.

Orland Township Voters to Mull Breaking Away from Cook County

Orland Township voters on Nov. 8 will consider if the township should break away from Cook County and become part of Will County, instead.

Crestwood Voters To Decide on Term Limits for Village Offices

In addition to casting votes for president, federal, state and county offices on Nov. 8, Crestwood voters will be deciding whether to impose term limits for village offices.

Burr Ridge Referendum Asks Voters to Approve $520,000 For Infrastructure Maintenance

Burr Ridge residents will vote on whether or not to raise the village’s corporate levy by $520,000, which is the same amount that taxpayers currently put forth every year for the bonds that brought Lake Michigan water to Burr Ridge, the Chicago Tribune reported. The money would go toward maintaining village roads and improving infrastructure in the area.

Downers Grove Asks Residents How to Pay for $3.9 Million Stormwater Management System

Downers Grove has been adamant for months about educating its community about stormwater management and its implications, and now it’s time to take the issue to the polls. Residents will find a three-part referendum on their ballots next Tuesday asking for input on how the village should fund its stormwater management system and allocate the $3.9 million it’s budgeted for next year’s costs.

Should Barrington Taxpayers Pay for Portion of Railroad Underpass?

An advisory referendum appearing on the ballot for Barrington voters this election will ask whether they feel comfortable with the village’s plans to move forward with a multi-million railroad underpass project, which is meant to ease congestion by providing a route under the Canadian National Railway tracks along Route 14.

Oak Park Resident Asks Community to Repeal 2nd Amendment With Ballot Referendum

An Oak Park college professor is taking gun safety to the polls with an advisory referendum that will seek support in repealing the Second Amendment.

Orland Township: A Vote on Climate Change

Voters on Nov. 8 will decide what kind of role they favor their elected officials playing in measures regarding climate change.

Algonquin-LITH Fire Tax Referendum is Back After Failing March Vote

Residents living in the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District will again be asked to vote on a tax to help cover declining revenue during the Nov. 8 general election.

Homer Township Residents to Weigh in on Fire Trustee Process

Voters in the Homer Township Fire Protection District could gain the right to elect trustees to its fire protection board, if a referendum item on the Nov. 8 ballot passes.

Earned Sick Time for Illinois Workers: What to Know Before Voting on This Referendum

One of the referenda on the Nov. 8 ballot concerns a topic that has been getting quite a bit of attention at the local, county and state level: employee sick days.

Cook County Voters To Decide If Recorder, Clerk's Offices Should be Merged

Cook County voters will have the rare opportunity to decide if an entire branch of county government should be eliminated in a move that supporters claim would save taxpayers millions of dollars over the next decade.

Transportation Funding at Center of Amendment on Ballot in Illinois

Voters across Illinois will decide if tax money related to transportation will be earmarked for transportation needs.

Kim Foxx vs. Christopher Pfannkuche: State's Attorney Candidates Want to Reform Cook County Office

In some respects, voters made their statement concerning the embattled Cook County State's Attorney's Office when they overwhelmingly supported Kim Foxx over two-term incumbent Anita Alvarez in the March Democratic primary. The message from Cook County voters was clear: They want change.

Larry Walsh and Laurie McPhillips Vie for Will County Chief Executive Officer

The race for Will County Chief Executive Officer is between Democrat Lawrence M. “Larry” Walsh and Republican Laurie McPhillips.

Andrea Lynn Chasteen and Marlene Carlson Vie for Will County Circuit Clerk Seat

A longtime Will County employee is running against a private sector technology professional for the Will County Circuit Clerk seat left open by retiring clerk, Pamela McGuire, who decided against pursuing a sixth term in office.

Former Will County Recorder’s Office Employee Challenging Recorder

Republican Kristin Cross is challenging incumbent Karen Stukel.

Good vs. Blackburn: U.S. Army Vet Hopes to Unseat Two-Term Will County Auditor

Urging Will County residents to “vote for Good,” republican candidate Gary Good is hoping to unseat incumbent auditor Kevin “Duffy” Blackburn in November’s election.

Thomas Rudd, Howard Cooper, Michael Donnenwirth Seek Lake County Coroner Office

Incumbent Lake County Coroner Thomas Rudd faces Republican Howard Cooper and Democrat Michael Donnenwirth in the Nov. 8 election.

Past Wrongful Convictions Point of Contention in Lake Co. State’s Attorney Race

The handling of past wrongful convictions has been a point of contention between candidates running for Lake County State’s Attorney.

Lawyers Patrick Kenneally and Ray Flavin Face Off: McHenry County State’s Attorney

Looking to become McHenry County’s top prosecutor are Assistant State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally and Woodstock lawyer Ray Flavin.

McHenry County Voters to Choose Chairman for 1st Time: Michael Walkup vs. Jack Franks

For the first time in history, local voters will decide which of two officeholders is best suited for McHenry County Board Chairman.

Deputy Medical Examiner Looks to Oust Incumbent Kane County Coroner

Two current Kane County coroners are going head-to-head next month for the leading role in local autopsies and death investigations.

Over 60 Cook County Judges Up for Retention, Make Your Vote Count Nov. 8

Good judges matter and it’s important that voters don’t skip that part of the ballot in the upcoming general election. Judges’ terms are longer and they wield incredible power. Participants in early voting, which runs from Oct. 24 to Nov. 7, as well as Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 8, will be voting for judicial candidates to fill vacancies and judges up for retention.

Problem at the Polls? Here’s Who to Call

Who are you going to call if you spot a problem at your polling place? Well, it depends where your polling place is. But don’t worry, we have you covered here in Chicago and the surrounding area.