Ventura Takes On Monson In 43rd District State Senate Race: Illinois 2024 Election

ROMEOVILLE, IL — Election Day is almost upon us, and while the presidential race of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump is the biggest race on the ticket, there are several local races and referenda to keep an eye on as well.

In Will County, Rachel Ventura and Jennifer Monson will vie for the Illinois State Senate District 43 seat.

Ventura, a Democrat, is the incumbent, and was elected to the position in 2022. Ventura has previously served as a member on the Will County Board, and on the Forest Preserve District of Will County Board.

Monson, a Republican, currently serves on the Minooka CCSD 201 School Board. On the board, she serves as a "dedicated taxpayer watchdog, advocating for responsible fiscal management," according to her campaign website.

The 43rd Legislative District is mostly within Will County, including all or parts of Romeoville, Bolingbrook, Lockport, Woodridge, Joliet, Channahon, Shorewood, Naperville, Preston Heights, Fairmont, Manhattan, Braidwood, Wilmington, Elwood and Rockdale.

Priorities

On Ventura's campaign website, she lists issues important to her including a clean energy future, closing the wealth gap, public high-speed broadband internet access, pro-human rights, pro-choice and women's rights and pro-LGBTQIA.

Ventura, who was born and raised in Joliet, "has championed legislation that addresses climate change and environmental resilience, criminal justice reform, access to college education, and bridging the digital divide by expanding broadband access across Illinois," according to her website.

Monson, a Minooka native, lists campaign priorities of relief for families, safe streets, empowering parents, and ending JB Pritzker's invited migrant crisis.

"As a mother, educator and school board member, Jen firmly believes that it should be parents making decisions about their children's education—not politicians in Springfield," her campaign website states.

Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5. If you are already in line to vote when the polls close, you can still vote — so don't leave!

If you don't know your polling place, find it here.