The U.S. Capitol is seen in a file photo. (Mikhail Makarov / iStock)
With the GOP looking to grow its majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, Illinois Republicans were hopeful they could defeat first-term U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-17th District) in his bid for reelection. With all Illinois races now called, Sorensen and his 16 fellow incumbents across the state’s congressional delegation held on to their seats.
The 17th District, was the only district in Illinois seen as competitive after the most recent redrawing of congressional boundaries, is among a handful of races being closely watched as Republicans try to maintain their majority in the U.S. House. While respected political analysts rate the race as likely or leaning Democratic, gerrymandering around the U.S. means there are few options available for Republicans to pick up seats and offset potential losses elsewhere. The GOP hopes its challenger, retired judge Joe McGraw, can defeat Sorensen in his sophomore bid, a run where common political wisdom holds that a member of Congress is most vulnerable.
For the most up-to-date data in each of Illinois’ 17 congressional districts, check out WTTW News’ Live Election Results.
1st District
In the 1st District — which covers a large swath of Chicago’s South Side and its south suburbs, and stretches all the way south to just outside of Kankakee — the Associated Press has called the race for incumbent first-term Democrat U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson over Republican challenger Marcus Lewis. Jackson, son of civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson, defeated a large field of Democratic incumbents in 2022 vying to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush. Jonathan Jackson has touted his work on voting rights, economic issues and aid to agriculture, including in urban areas. Lewis has previously run for Congress seven times, including in that same 2022 Democratic primary. He is now running as a Republican, saying immigrants are taking away resources from needy Black residents and calling for mass deportations.
2nd District
In the 2nd District, which stretches from Chicago’s Southeast Side south to Kankakee County, the Associated Press has called the race for six-term Democrat U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly over challenger Ashley Ramos. Kelly, who took over as chair of the Illinois Democratic Party during 2021 and 2022 after the departure of disgraced Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, has pushed to reverse disinvestment in her district and has touted her ability to win federal funds for local projects. Ramos, who has served as a local precinct committeeman and works as an e-commerce specialist, has called for a more restrictive immigration policy and aid for district residents already struggling.
“Thank you to the voters of the 2nd District for sending me back to Washington, DC, to represent them in the 119th Congress. I take great pride in serving my diverse district, which is urban, suburban and rural,” Kelly said in a statement. “Whether you live along the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago, in the south suburbs, or in our rural counties, you deserve a quality job, a strong local economy, good schools for your children, access to healthcare, affordable housing and safety from gun violence.”
3rd District
In the 3rd District, which covers parts of Chicago’s Near West and Northwest sides, the Associated Press has called the race for first-term incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez over Republican challenger John Booras. Ramirez, the first Latina to represent Illinois in Congress, is a progressive who has worked on affordable housing, immigration reform and crackdowns on for-profit colleges. Booras, an attorney and former police officer, has called for greater bipartisanship and allowing states to make their own decisions on reproductive rights.
4th District
In the 4th District — which covers parts of Chicago’s West and Southwest sides, as well as some western suburbs — the Associated Press has called the race for incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García over Republican challenger Lupe Castillo. A longtime local politician, García has served in Congress since 2019 and touted his record on bringing funding home for Illinoisans and helping working people and immigrants. Castillo, a strong backer of former President Donald Trump, has called for tight immigration restrictions, support for law enforcement and gun rights and reining in spending.
5th District
In the 5th District, which covers parts of Chicago and several northwestern suburbs, the Associated Press has called the race for incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley over GOP challenger Tommy Hanson. Quigley, who has served in Congress since 2009, says he’s worked to fund public transportation and infrastructure projects. Hanson, who previously made several unsuccessful bids for Congress, works in commercial real estate and says he hopes to restore Chicagoland’s previous “vitality and prosperity.”
6th District
In the 6th District, which covers parts of Chicago’s Southwest Side and southwest suburbs, the AP has called the race for three-term incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Sean Casten over Republican Niki Conforti. Casten has cited his work on climate issues and economic recovery from COVID-19, as well as his support for reproductive rights, in his reelection bid. Conforti, a strong Trump supporter, has accused Casten of holding radical views out of step with constituents. While the district was once far more competitive, with Casten defeating longtime Republican incumbent Peter Roskam in 2018, redistricting has now made it safely Democratic.
“No matter who you voted for in this election, who your neighbors or loved ones voted for, do not lose sight of the fact that we are one people – the American people – bound by these shared values,” Casten said in a statement Tuesday night. “Tonight, I feel hopeful about our future. It’s the people of the 6th District who fuel that hope, reminding me every day of our shared beliefs and demonstrating their remarkable decency.”
7th District
In the 7th District — which covers parts of Chicago’s South and West sides, as well as some western suburbs — the Associated Press has called the race for long-serving incumbent U.S. Rep. Danny Davis over Republican challenger Chad Koppie. Davis, who has been in Congress since 1997, fended off Democratic primary challengers earlier this year, including Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin. Koppie, who’s made previous attempts at winning a seat in the U.S. House and Senate, calls abortion murder and has called for a constitutional amendment banning it. With 27% of precincts reporting, Davis holds a 61 point lead.
8th District
In the west and northwest suburban 8th District, the Associated Press has declared victory for incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi over GOP challenger Mark Rice. Krishnamoorthi, who’s served in Congress since 2017, has touted his work on economic issues and called for a higher federal minimum wage along with paid sick and maternity leave. Rice, who works in energy management, has called for a major change in political leadership and people who will enact “common sense solutions.”
9th District
In the 9th District, which covers parts of Chicago’s North Side and many of its northern suburbs, the Associated Press has called the race for longtime Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky over Republican Seth Alan Cohen. Schakowsky, who’s been in Congress since 1999, has cited her work on affordable health care and constituent services. Cohen, a political newcomer who works as director of a nonprofit, has called for an end to government overreach and said Schakowsky’s long tenure has not served constituents well.
10th District
In the north suburban 10th District, the Associated Press has called the race for incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider against Republican Jim Carris. Schneider served in Congress from 2013 to 2015, and again since 2017. He has touted his bipartisan record and pledged to lower costs, curb gun violence and protect abortion rights. Carris, a local businessman and first-time candidate, says he’ll be an independent voice and focus on public safety, national security and economic issues.
“Thank you to every voter who cast their ballot today. Your vote is your voice and your power,” Schneider posted on social media Tuesday night. “Onward.”
11th District
In the 11th District — which covers part of Chicago’s western and northwestern suburbs, and stretches out to Belvidere — the AP has called the race for incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Bill Foster over Republican Jerry Evans. Foster, a former physicist, served in Congress from 2008 to 2011 and again since 2013. He’s cited climate change, challenges to reproductive rights, and gun violence as among the key issues he’s focused on. Evans, a business owner who’s previously challenged Foster, has cited issues including limited government, the economy and violence in the Chicago area as driving his campaign.
12th District
In southern Illinois’ 12th District, the Associated Press has called the race for Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Bost against Democrat Brian Roberts. Bost, who has served in Congress since 2015, is a strong Trump supporter who has called for restrictions on abortion and immigration, aid to farmers and an “all-of-the above” energy policy promoting cleaner coal mining in his district. Roberts, an attorney, says Bost votes based on his own views rather than those of the district.
“This election was about standing up for our shared conservative values with a message that resonated in every corner of our district,” Bost posted on social media Tuesday night. “Southern Illinoisans will continue to form a unified front in the fight for our families and ensure that our constitutional rights are protected.”
13th District
In the 13th District, a strip that cuts northeast from the St. Louis area up to central Illinois, the Associated Press called the race Wednesday morning for first-term Democrat U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski against GOP challenger Joshua Loyd. Budzinski, who previously worked for several national labor unions, says she’s motivated to help working families. Citing her work in Washington, D.C., Loyd has called Budzinski a carpetbagger and cited his background as a military veteran as an asset he can use in Congress. While the district was once more competitive, it was redrawn to lean much more Democratic.
14th District
In the west suburban 14th District, the Associated Press has declared three-term incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood the victor over Republican challenger Jim Marter. Underwood, a nurse, has touted her focus on affordable health care and lowering the cost of prescription drugs. Marter, an IT software consultant, says he’d work to slash the size of the federal government in an effort to preserve Americans’ freedoms.
“Despite all of our differences, we are a hopeful community,” Underwood said in a statement. “And together we will move forward — with a commitment to freedom and justice for all.”
15th District
In central Illinois’ 15th District, the Associated Press has called the race for incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Mary Miller. Miller, who has served since 2021, is aligned with the far-right Freedom Caucus in the U.S. House. Miller, who had no opponent on the ballot, has supported Trump’s lies about winning the 2020 election, drawn scorn for speaking favorably of Adolf Hitler, and called environmental regulations part of the “communist environmental movement.”
16th District
In the 16th District, which winds its way from areas surrounding Bloomington-Normal north to the Illinois-Wisconsin state line, the Associated Press has called the race for Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood — who had no Democratic challenger on the ballot. LaHood, son of former congressman and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, has called Democrats “dysfunctional” and is bullish on Trump’s reelection bid.
“Our country and our state face many challenges — an economy that hasn’t worked for working families, a wide open border that’s put a strain on every town, and violent crime that’s ripping through communities,” LaHood said in a statement. “Regardless of tonight’s results at the national level, I am committed to being a part of the solution to these challenges for central and northwestern Illinois.”
17th District
In the 17th District, which covers parts of central, western and northwestern Illinois, first-term incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen has won over Republican Joe McGraw. Sorensen is a former meteorologist and the first openly gay member of the state’s congressional delegation. He has touted his work on issues including substance abuse treatment, education and health care. McGraw, a retired judge who spent nearly two decades overseeing the criminal division of the area’s circuit court, says he’ll focus on rooting out corruption in Congress. While congressional watchers view the race as leaning Democratic, the contest is seen as the most likely opportunity for Republicans to flip one of Illinois’ seats in the U.S. House. Sorensen leads by 8 points and the AP called the race overnight.
Note: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Joshua Loyd’s name.
Contact Nick Blumberg: [email protected] | (773) 509-5434 | @ndblumberg
