By The Red Line Project Staff
With the presidential nominees all but set, attention turns to local races and issues for the Illinois primary election. Progressive candidates and causes are at the center of Democratic primary ballot while Republicans, independents and other parties sort out their races. Tune in here throughout the day and evening for updates from polling locations, campaigning, election night parties and more.
Our team of Red Line Project reporters coverd two key races: Cook County State’s Attorney and the 7th District US House of Representatives. They also covered candidates campaigning at Manny’s Deli, a Chicago tradition. A feature story on Manny’s is to come, including a dust-up with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Read more in our primary preview section.
Cook County State’s Attorney
Eileen O’Neill Burke stopped short of claiming victory in the hotly contested race with Clayyton Harris III Tuesday night, but she held a 12,000 vote lead with 98 percent of precincts reporting. O’Neill Burke, a former apellate court judge, built a $3.5 million war chest funded by Chicago business owners, unions and suburban Republicans. She built a 30,000 vote lead early in the night before Harris III chipped away at it.
“This is truly the greatest City in the world” #uicdigital #ILprimary pic.twitter.com/Mldxj8e4Ay
— Manny Meraz (@mannyfromwicker) March 20, 2024
A silent room as Eileen O’Neill Burke finishes her speech. Supporters of Clayton Harris III are waiting patiently, with now 98% of votes in. #ILPrimary #uicdigital @redlineproject pic.twitter.com/F8kGhHjjN3
— Delaney Disario (@delaneyedisario) March 20, 2024
With 91% of the vote counted, 46,000 votes remain to be counted and O’Neill Burke leads Harris lll by over 16,000 votes. #ILPrimary #UICDIGITAL
— Manny Meraz (@mannyfromwicker) March 20, 2024
Over 90% is in and we may be closing in on a O’Neill Burke victory.
#ILprimary #uicdigital pic.twitter.com/JiKaIOw5fP
— Manny Meraz (@mannyfromwicker) March 20, 2024
Over 87% of the votes have been counted and O’Neill Burke remains in the lead, but it’s still too close to call. #ILprimary #uicdigital pic.twitter.com/I53Vs1DmHh
— Manny Meraz (@mannyfromwicker) March 20, 2024
The crowd is still in good spirits at the Clayton Harris III party, with supporters saying they “feel good” about his chances despite O’Neill Burke’s lead. #ILPrimary #uicdigital @redlineproject pic.twitter.com/Stf7kZBHmy
— Delaney Disario (@delaneyedisario) March 20, 2024
Bagpipers here at O’Neill Burke’s election night party. #ILprimary #uicdigital pic.twitter.com/IBXOTBPrsb
— Manny Meraz (@mannyfromwicker) March 20, 2024
7th District US House of Representatives
Incumbent Danny Davis’s dominant win sends him to the general election in November. Davis, 82, has held the office since 1997.
The results are in! 52 percent of the vote with 80 percent of precincts reporting. Despite concerns about his proficiency in office, Davis wins the Illinois 7th congressional district primary election.#uicdigital #ILPrimary @redlineproject pic.twitter.com/VMbcDKJ8EJ
— Kristen Hodge (@kris27947) March 20, 2024
Danny Davis takes the stage as the AP calls the race for him — he has 52% of the vote, a double digit lead over four challengers, with 60% of votes counted. He first thanks senior citizens who he credits for his win https://t.co/Izs2vSsC48 pic.twitter.com/2lqjpm2YsU
— Mariah Woelfel (@MariahWoelfel) March 20, 2024
Supporters cheered as Melissa Conyears-Ervin gave her concession speech earlier. #uicdigital #ILPrimary @redlineproject pic.twitter.com/qj3tjVdSIs
— Ola Stepien (@Olasteps) March 20, 2024
Despite the early loss, supporters are still sticking around and talking about the future for Conyears-Ervin. #uicdigital #ILprimary @redlineproject pic.twitter.com/IXJ38aW4zQ
— Ola Stepien (@Olasteps) March 20, 2024
Danny Davis’ election party begins soon. Davis supporters are full of energy and excited to see how tonight unfolds! #uicdigital #ilprimary #DannyDavis2024 @redlineproject pic.twitter.com/rMDzAPl0D0
— Kristen Hodge (@kris27947) March 20, 2024
The election party is beginning for @MCEforCongress at @mannysdeli as supporters start to come in. #ILprimary #uicdigital @redlineproject pic.twitter.com/Uh6HnaeZhG
— Ola Stepien (@Olasteps) March 20, 2024
4th District US House of Representatives
Incumbent Chuy Garcia easily won over Lopez. The race was not without controversy as Garcia complained that Lopez brougnt food and envelopes of money to election judges.
.@AP has just called the Democratic primary victory for US Rep Chuy Garcia over Ald. Raymond Lopez – who is on Fox News a lot but raised little money for this race https://t.co/PvAUXvgFiL
— Dan Mihalopoulos (@dmihalopoulos) March 20, 2024
— Ald. Raymond Lopez (@RaymondALopez) March 19, 2024
‘Bring Chicago Home’ Ballot Question
The controversial real estate transfer tax question, which was kicked off the ballot by one court but reinstated by an apellate court, would have given the City Council the power to raise property taxes on homes worth over $1 million to fund homeless programs. Opponents of the measure said it would create havoc in the real-estate industry. If passed, it would still face City Council approval, more legal battles and approval by Mayor Brandon Johnson, who strongly supports it.
Here’s where we stand on the proposal known as Bring Chicago Home:
*NO is leading YES by 22,076 cvotes
*There are at least 109,000 mail-in votes yet to be counted by Chicago elections officialshttps://t.co/ZA0kPMsxkG— Heather Cherone (@HeatherCherone) March 20, 2024
The Bring Chicago Home campaign stops short of conceding the race while acknowledging “disappointing” early results: “Whatever the final count, one thing is abundantly clear tonight: how determined our opponents are to continue profiting from displacement and inequality.” https://t.co/PaOMtbmrXp pic.twitter.com/SZ7ySLXnEL
— Alice Yin (@byaliceyin) March 20, 2024
US President
As expected, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump easily won their races.
JUST IN: Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican former President Donald Trump are poised to win Illinois primaries on Tuesday amid one of the worst voter turnouts for a Chicago presidential primary since at least World War II. https://t.co/sJ9ig1f7k2
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) March 20, 2024
#Illinois Republican Primary Results
44% Reported#DonaldTrump — 79.1% (253,303 votes)#NikkiHaley — 16.1% (47,965 votes)Trump +63% by 205,338 Votes
Trump has won 31/64 Delegates in Illinois#ILPrimary— Mona Salama (@ByMonaSalama) March 20, 2024
Voter Turnout
Chicago primary election turnout update:
Through 5 pm, just under 17% of the city’s 1.7 million registered voters have cast a ballot in person or by mail.
That’s far below the 28.1% 5 pm turnout for 2023’s mayoral runoff. Here’s a breakdown by age & time from @ChicagoElection: https://t.co/QgMaGgbCOH pic.twitter.com/JbJfkJbQ1O
— Jake Sheridan (@JakeSheridan_) March 19, 2024
Young people have not shown up to the polls this time… 57% of ballots have been cast by people over 55.
To compare, in the general mayoral last April, 53% of votes were UNDER age 54. This is nearly an 11 pt. drop.
(Source: @ChicagoElection) pic.twitter.com/1RUbUNfkU7
— Michael McDevitt (@MikeMcDTweets) March 19, 2024
Young people didn’t do much voting in this #ILprimary https://t.co/W7k8Biu8bu
— Brandon Pope TV (@BpopeTV) March 20, 2024
As of noon, Chicago’s voter turnout sits at 12.21% citywide, according to Max Bever at the Chicago Board of Elections. Chicago is seeing lower voter turnout than primary elections in 2016 and 2020.#ILPrimary #uicdigital @redlineproject
— Delaney Disario (@delaneyedisario) March 19, 2024
REMINDER TO VOTERS: If you are in line to vote when the polls close at 7 p.m. for the #ILPrimary, stay in line. Your vote will count.#Illinoisprimary
— The Red Line Project (@redlineproject) March 19, 2024
Happy Election Day!
Will turnout be low today? Sure.
BUT! Chicagoans traditionally vote at a much higher rate than nearly any anywhere else.
CONTEXT: Turnout in Chicago’s 2023 mayoral runoff was 38%. NYC mayor’s race in 2022? 21%. https://t.co/IO5DSHx9tz— Heather Cherone (@HeatherCherone) March 19, 2024
Election Day Updates From Polling Sites and Manny’s Deli
REMINDER TO VOTERS: If you are in line to vote when the polls close at 7 p.m. for the #ILPrimary, stay in line. Your vote will count.#Illinoisprimary
— The Red Line Project (@redlineproject) March 19, 2024
As of noon, Chicago’s voter turnout sits at 12.21% citywide, according to Max Bever at the Chicago Board of Elections. Chicago is seeing lower voter turnout than primary elections in 2016 and 2020.#ILPrimary #uicdigital @redlineproject
— Delaney Disario (@delaneyedisario) March 19, 2024
“I don’t know anybody who would pass on Manny’s on Election Day,” Eileen O’Neill Burke, candidate for Cook County State’s Attorney office, said. @EileenCookCnty @redlineproject @mannysdeli pic.twitter.com/p2uF1y9bib
— Laaiba (@LaaibaMahmood) March 19, 2024
Clayton Harris, candidate for Cook County State’s Attorney, makes a stop @mannysdeli, saying, “he’s jazzed,” about today. @redlineproject @ClaytonforCook pic.twitter.com/UTiIqvy9Dn
— Laaiba (@LaaibaMahmood) March 19, 2024
Jesse G. Reyes, Illinois Appellate Court Judge and candidate for Illinois Supreme Court Justice, handed out nail files with campaign messaging @mannysdeli. @redlineproject pic.twitter.com/h7VEal1kGg
— Laaiba (@LaaibaMahmood) March 19, 2024
The Democratic National Convention has tables set up to recruit volunteers for the DNC, which will be held in Chicago this August.@DemConvention @redlineproject pic.twitter.com/wWeg8GP13B
— Laaiba (@LaaibaMahmood) March 19, 2024
The traditional Dem candidates Election Day lunch at Mannys will be smaller. Sources say @ToniPreckwinkle not happy some connected to Mannys have shown support for Eileen ONeill Burke so she’s going elsewhere.
Reading the tea leaves… #ILPrimary— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) March 18, 2024
Two congressional primaries in which two Democratic incumbents, Danny Davis & Chuy Garcia, are facing challenges from different ideological directions. Also watch #IL12 on the GOP side.
— Taniel (@Taniel) March 18, 2024
Republicans pulling Dem Ballots in IL to vote for the may as well be gop candidate for States Attorney
Progressives are you voting? Republicans are #ILPRIMARY— Louise H. (@louise_q10) March 19, 2024
Manny’s v Preckwinkle kerfuffle or not this place is even more packed for lunch than it was on last year’s mayoral primary.
Also the DNC host committee stole my usual table! pic.twitter.com/qFy43E0oap
— Chicago Bars (@chicagobars) March 19, 2024
Heading to the polls today? Our March 19 Illinois primary previews are posted on The Red Line Project: https://t.co/acyk5IbGK6
— We focus on the 7th District US House of Representatives and Cook County State’s Attorney races#ILPrimary #uicdigital @zizip @commuic
— The Red Line Project (@redlineproject) March 19, 2024
Clark and Lake Super site 2pm #ILPrimary pic.twitter.com/P4BlzFyWPu
— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) March 19, 2024
As of noon, 46th ward Precinct 8 in Lakeview had seen only 65 voters on a blustery Tuesday. Winds knocked down signs near polling places and campaign workers returned to set them up.
Slow day but mail-in and early voting must be factored in … pic.twitter.com/Bf6CjfKNVf
— The Red Line Project (@redlineproject) March 19, 2024
Today’s #ILprimary is also the anniversary of the legendary Pullen-Mulligan campaigns which I was excited to chat about on today’s @WBEZreset. Check it out! #twill #books https://t.co/luOg7kKL7j
— Patrick Wohl (@thewohlymammoth) March 19, 2024