Election 2016: Voter's 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.

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.

District 15 $130M Referendum: Opponents Question the Board's Plan to Build New Schools

In August, the board voted to put a $130 million bond referendum on the ballot to deal with overcrowding by building two new district schools — a kindergarten through fifth-grade school on a site at Osage Park in northeast Palatine and a middle school on district property along Ela Road in Inverness in the district's southwest area.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.