Competitive Primaries Could Reshape Illinois General Assembly

All 118 state House seats and 39 of 59 state Senate seats are on the ballot, with some high-profile races featuring corporate-backed challengers and incumbents facing federal corruption cases.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 12:37am

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The upcoming Illinois primary elections for the state legislature could bring significant changes to the General Assembly, with all 118 state House seats and 39 of 59 state Senate seats up for grabs. Some of the races have seen an influx of money from corporate-backed political action committees, while others feature incumbents facing federal corruption cases or challenges from political newcomers.

Why it matters

The outcome of these primaries could reshape the balance of power in the Illinois legislature, which is currently controlled by Democrats. The races feature a mix of establishment candidates, progressive challengers, and candidates backed by corporate interests, highlighting the ongoing tensions within the state's political landscape.

The details

In one high-profile race, a veteran Democratic lawmaker faces primary opponents after a federal corruption case ended in a mistrial before he admitted wrongdoing to avoid further prosecution. In another race, a Republican legislator who holds a leadership position in the Illinois House GOP caucus faces a tough primary against two opponents in her downstate district. Additionally, several open seats have attracted competitive fields of candidates, including a race in Chicago's Lincoln Park area that has seen a significant influx of campaign cash.

  • The Illinois primary elections will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2026.
  • All 118 state House seats and 39 of the 59 state Senate seats are on the ballot.

The players

JB Pritzker

The Democratic governor of Illinois, whose political network has contributed to some of the campaigns.

Kwame Raoul

The Illinois attorney general, whose campaign has provided a $50,000 cash infusion to one of the races.

Margaret Croke

The state representative who is running for Illinois comptroller, leaving her seat open for a competitive primary.

Norine Hammond

The deputy GOP leader in the Illinois House, who faces two primary challengers in a western Illinois race.

Emil Jones III

The incumbent state senator who faces two primary challengers after fighting a federal corruption case that ended in a mistrial.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.