Please see the below from NASL member firm Third Reading Consulting Group:
The 2024 Illinois primary election took place on Tuesday, March 19. Candidates for President, Congress, the Illinois General Assembly, Illinois Supreme Court, and various local races appeared on the primary ballot to decide the Democratic and Republican Party nominees for the November 5 general election. Statewide turnout rates are expected to be the lowest in a presidential election year since 2012. The City of Chicago reported 20% turnout, down from 38% in 2020 and 54% in 2016.
The 2024 Illinois primary election featured one competitive Supreme Court race, nine competitive Congressional races, six competitive State Senate races, and 22 competitive State House races. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump easily secured their respective Democrat and Republican nominations for President. Congressional incumbents performed very well with Reps. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Sean Casten, Danny Davis, Bill Foster, and Mike Bost all defeating their primary challengers.
In the General Assembly, two Democrat incumbents failed to secure their party’s nomination. Progressive Graciela Guzman defeated incumbent Sen. Natalie Toro in the 20th Senate District Democrat primary. Toro was only appointed to the Senate on July 10, 2023 to replace former Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas. Illinois’ longest serving state representative, Mary Flowers, lost the 31st House District Democrat nomination to Michael Crawford, who received funding from House Speaker Chris Welch’s political operation.
Chicago voters appear to have rejected the Bring Chicago Home ballot measure. With 80% of votes counted, the “no” campaign has a 7.2% lead. The measure, backed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, seeks to increase the real estate transfer tax rate on all property sales over $1M in the city to raise an estimated $100M in new annual tax revenue that would be used to provide services for Chicago’s homeless population.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
April 5 – House Committee Deadline
April 12 – Senate Third Reading Deadline
April 19 – House Third Reading Deadline
May 3 – Opposite Chamber Committee Deadline
May 17 – Opposite Chamber Third Reading Deadline
May 24 – Adjournment
May 25-31 – Contingent Session Days for Budget
November 5 – 2024 General Election