Illinois Primaries Set Stage for Post-Durbin Congress

Illinois voters are voting in midterm primaries for six open U.S. House and Senate seats, with the retirement of Sen. Dick Durbin triggering crowded races led by Raja Krishnamoorthi, Robin Kelly, and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. The contests feature intense fundraising and outside spending from groups tied to Israel, cryptocurrency, and AI, and several House seats around Chicago are open due to retirements. Gov. JB Pritzker’s influence looms over the Democratic field, while Republicans run in contested primaries as well. Most Democrats are favored in November, but the day focuses on who will lead Illinois’ delegation; minor polling-site ID issues were reported in one county where showing ID is not required.