Governor
Incumbent Governor JB Pritzker ran unopposed in yesterday’s Democratic primary for governor. He was first elected in 2018 and won election to a second term in 2022. Pritzker is running on what he believes are the accomplishments of his time in office, highlighting balanced budgets each year and credit upgrades for the state, increased public school funding, and the passing of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. He also touts the largest infrastructure program in state history and Illinois’ position as the national leader in quantum technology. Prior to serving as governor, Pritzker had not held elected office. He was a partner in Pritzker Group Private Capital, a venture capital firm, and founded 1871, a nonprofit digital start-up incubator. As of August 2023, Forbes estimated Pritzker had a net worth of $3.6 billion, making him the wealthiest elected official in the United States.
Four candidates were on the ballot in the Republican primary to challenge Pritzker in November: former State Senator Darren Bailey, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, Ted Dabrowski, and Rick Heidner. Bailey ended up with the nomination after securing 53.5% of the vote at the time of this writing.
Bailey served as State Representative for House District 109 from 2019-2021, and as State Senator for Senate District 55 from 2021 to 2023. A third-generation farmer from rural Southern Illinois, he also served 17 years on the North Clay Board of Education, including 12 as President. If he were to pull off an upset in November, Bailey pledges to address affordability through lowering taxes, cutting wasteful government spending, and promoting fiscal responsibility in the state capitol. He also proposes to stand with law enforcement and hold violent criminals and repeat offenders accountable.
The gubernatorial race is rated Safe Democratic by The Cook Political Report and The Center for Politics Sabato's Crystal Ball.
Attorney General
Attorney General Kwame Raoul ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. He is seeking his third term after winning decisively in the past two general elections. Raoul is a former member of the Illinois State Senate when he represented District 13 from 2004 to 2019. He was initially appointed to fill the seat in the Illinois Senate after the seat was vacated by Barack Obama when he was elected to the U.S. Senate. During his time as the state’s chief legal officer, Raoul has addressed crime through measures including creating the state’s first Organized Retail Crime Task Force and suing to revoke the license of a rogue gun manufacturer that produced cheap guns criminals use in carjackings and other crimes. He played a key role in the enactment of the Illinois Patient and Provider Protection Act, which legally protects patients and providers who access and supply health care in Illinois. Raoul has also expressed commitment to curbing the youth vaping epidemic. He established a Worker Protection Unit in his office that prosecutes violations of worker protection laws and leads a statewide task force to better protect workers’ rights and prevent discrimination, wage theft, misclassification, and other unlawful practices.
Former Chicago City Council member Bob Fioretti ran uncontested to secure the Republican Party’s nomination for Attorney General. Fioretti’s legal career has included serving as Senior Supervising Attorney in the General Litigation Division under former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, Special Assistant Attorney General of Illinois, and Special Assistant State’s Attorney.
During his time on the Chicago City Council, Fioretti prioritized education, job creation, and public safety. Fioretti’s campaign priorities include consumer protection, government accountability, and public safety. He cites both his experience in the courtroom and his legislative background as qualifications for the office.
State Treasurer
Incumbent State Treasurer Mike Frerichs ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. He took office in 2015 and was subsequently re-elected in 2018 and 2022. From 2007 to 2015, Frerichs was a member of the Illinois State Senate representing parts of Champaign and Vermilion Counties.
Among the accomplishments of his tenure, he includes protecting taxpayers from tax hikes, expanding access to higher education by improving the 529 College Savings Program, and aiding local farmers through his Ag Invest program. In 2018, Frerichs launched Secure Choice, a retirement savings program for private-sector workers in Illinois who do not have access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan.
Two other candidates, Max Solomon and Max Rice, have commenced write-in campaigns to challenge Frerichs in November.
State Legislature
Thirty-nine (39) out of 59 seats in the State Senate, and all 118 seats in the House, are also up for reelection this year. Five incumbents in the House did not file for reelection, along with ten in the House. Among those retiring from the Senate is President Pro Tempore Bill Cunningham (D), who has served in the Senate since 2013. The lawmaker said he is stepping down to spend more time with his family.
Two incumbent representatives were defeated by primary challengers: Norine Hammond (R) and Jaime Andrade Jr. (D), who currently serves as Chair of the House Transportation: Vehicles and Safety Committee and as Vice Chair of the House Public Utilities Committee.