Illinois Decides

2018

Primary Election Day is upon us, and The Daily Northwestern will provide up to the minute live election results when they become available here. Read up on decisive 2018 primaries, from a hotly contested Democratic gubernatorial battle, to a loaded field vying for 17th District state representative.

LIVE RESULTS

Updated: 1:40 a.m.

Democratic Governor

Pritzker cruises to victory in Democratic primary
Billionaire businessman J.B. Pritzker had roughly 45 percent of the vote, while Biss and Kennedy trailed by nearly 20 percentage points apiece.
96% reporting

Past Coverage

Three major democratic gubernatorial contenders to square off in March 20 primary
Three major contenders have pulled away from the rest of the pack: J.B. Pritzker, a billionaire businessman who is the heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune, State Sen. Daniel Biss, a local legislator pushing progressive policy, and Chris Kennedy, an anti-establishment businessman who is the son of former U.S. Senator Robert Kennedy.
Editorial: For governor, vote Biss. More importantly, just vote.
We don’t expect you to leave the polls overjoyed on March 20, but you can — at the very least — have a say in who can influence property taxes if you stay in Illinois after graduation.
After activism, legislating, Evanston’s Daniel Biss hopes to take next step as governor
Biss launched his campaign for governor in March 2017 on a platform of creating a tax system that supports the working class, enforcing educational equality, providing universal health care and taking “big money” out of government, according to his campaign website.
Infighting among candidates characterizes first Democratic gubernatorial forum
Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidates’ first collective foray into the public eye was marked by infighting and spirited debate on issues ranging from legalizing marijuana to tax breaks for large businesses.

Republican Governor

Rauner survives tight primary to set up billionaire showdown for governor in November
Rauner and Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti will face off against the Democratic ticket of J.B. Pritzker and Juliana Stratton in the November general election.
96% reporting

Past Coverage

Rauner, Ives face off in Republican gubernatorial primary
Both incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner and his challenger, state Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) have led campaigns marked by controversial statements and stances.
Rauner’s State of the State address: ‘Time we do what the people of Illinois want’
Gov. Bruce Rauner called for term limits on state politicians, encouraged property tax reform and challenged Illinois residents to unite to promote job growth in his State of the State address on Wednesday.
Biss, Rauner respond to ‘repulsive’ attack ad by Republican gubernatorial candidate
Republican gubernatorial candidate and State Rep. Jeanne Ives’ (R-42nd) new attack ad has attracted criticism from both sides of the aisle as being divisive and insensitive.

Democratic Attorney General

Raoul wins crowded Democratic primary for attorney general
Former state Sen. Kwame Raoul won about 30 percent of the vote, just ahead of former Gov. Pat Quinn, who took about 27 percent.
96% reporting

Past Coverage

Democratic candidates for Illinois attorney general face crowded field
Eight candidates, ranging from a former governor to a political novice, are on the ballot to replace current attorney general Lisa Madigan.
Candidates for Illinois Attorney General discuss women’s issues, Trump
Action for a Better Tomorrow — an Illinois-based nonprofit, grassroots organization founded in the wake of the 2016 election — and the National Organization for Women hosted the eight Democratic candidates at Grace Lutheran Church. There is no clear frontrunner in the race.
Chicago Teachers Union endorses former state Sen. Kwame Raoul for attorney general
The union decided to support Raoul because he will fight for “fair taxes, adequately and fairly funded schools, the health and safety of Illinois residents, and honest, open, accountable government,” CTU vice president Jesse Sharkey said in the news release.

Cook County Commissioner

Suffredin wins primary in reelection bid for Cook County commissioner
Suffredin — who was first elected to the position in 2002 — had over 58 percent of the vote with 82 percent of precincts reporting on Tuesday, beating out first-time contenders Bushra Amiwala and Daniel Foster.
100% reporting

Past Coverage

Suffredin takes on challengers in race for Cook County commissioner
The two candidates challenging Commissioner Larry Suffredin are preparing for their first-ever elections as contenders.
Democratic Party of Evanston endorses Biss, Suffredin among others in Democratic primaries
Earlier that night, about 500 members of the organization packed into the Unitarian Church of Evanston to cast their votes for the DPOE’s endorsements in the March 20 primary elections.
DePaul freshman takes on incumbent Larry Suffredin for Cook County commissioner
The DePaul University freshman said she wants to empower young people and those in minority communities through her candidacy, proving that they too have a place in politics.

Democratic 17th District State Representative

Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz wins crowded Democratic primary for 17th District state representative
Gong-Gershowitz won Tuesday with an estimated 36 percent of the vote. With nearly all precincts reporting, she was about 400 votes ahead of Candance Chow, who finished a close second with 34 percent.
97% reporting

Past Coverage

Democratic candidates for state representative gear up for primaries
Largely aligned on most major policy issues, the candidates will focus their efforts on showcasing their individual personal and professional experiences.
Democratic candidates for 17th District state rep. talk backgrounds, experiences at forum
The forum covered the role of government in society, state budget and spending, the legalization of marijuana, gerrymandering and campaign finance. Chow, an Evanston/Skokie District 65 school board member, told The Daily candidates were mostly aligned on those major policy issues.
State representative candidate Candance Chow faces legal scrutiny days before election
The Illinois Education Association sent Chow’s campaign arm a cease and desist letter regarding a mailer for her campaign, and the school board is investigating emails sent by the Chow campaign to the work accounts of board employees.

Legalize Marijuana Referendum

98% reporting

Yes

No

City Editor
Ryan Wangman
ryanwangman@u.northwestern.edu
@RyanWangman
Published On
Mar. 20, 2018
Digital Managing Editor
Madeleine Fernando
madeleinefernando2020@u.northwestern.edu
@madeleinemelody
Published On
Mar. 20, 2018
Last Updated
Mar. 20, 2018