Politics
5 Open US House Seats in Illinois Will Bring New Faces to Congressional Delegation
The dawn illuminates the Senate side of the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, a day before the midterm elections that will determine political control of Congress. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)
Illinois’ congressional delegation is guaranteed to have a handful of new faces next year with five open U.S. House seats across Chicago and surrounding suburbs.
While control of the U.S. House of Representatives is a major story across the country with dozens of close races determining the balance of power, the Illinois openings are all expected to stay under Democratic control.
The open races are the result of a slate of retirements from longtime House members. Below are the districts set to receive new representation.
2nd District
Donna Miller, a Cook County commissioner since 2018, is the Democratic nominee in the district that is currently represented by U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly.
Kelly came up short in the Democratic contest to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.
Michael Scott Noack from Bonfield in Kankakee County is the Republican challenger.
Miller has said much of the district has suffered from disinvestment and “well-documented government neglect.” In her responses to the WTTW News Voter Guide, Miller pointed to a push for a south suburban airport and tax reform as major focuses.
Noack said affordable healthcare and housing costs are the most pressing issues in the district.
The 2nd District includes portions of Chicago’s South Side and suburbs and extends all the way downstate through Kankakee and past Danville.
4th District
The race to represent the 4th District has been controversial from the start.
Retiring U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García dropped out of the race at the last minute during petition filings, clearing the way for his chief of staff, Patty García, to become the only Democrat on the primary ballot.
Patty García, who is not related to the congressman, will face Republican Lupe Castillo, independent candidate Chris Getty and Working Class Party nominee Ed Hershey.
Getty is the mayor of suburban Lyons, and Hershey is a high school teacher.
The Hispanic-majority 4th District covers portions of the Southwest Side of Chicago and western suburbs.
García has pointed to immigration policy and issues of affordability as primary concerns.
7th District
After a hotly contested primary, vying to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Danny Davis are Democratic Illinois state Rep. LaShawn Ford and Republican Chad Koppie.
Ford has represented Illinois’ 8th District in the state House of Representatives since 2007.
Ford said in his responses to the WTTW News Voter Guide that he is running to “safeguard our families, reduce costs, and defend our democracy.”
Koppie said his main goal in office would be to propose a constitutional amendment “that would say that each human life begins at conception.”
The district covers parts of downtown Chicago, the South and West sides, and near western suburbs.
8th District
Democrat Melissa Bean, who previously represented the district that covers portions of the northwest suburbs, is looking to book a ticket back to Washington.
The seat opened up after U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi opted to mount an unsuccessful bid for U.S. Senate.
Bean stressed the importance of returning to the rule of law and basic norms. “We must restore our Constitution, checks and balances, and Congressional authority – particularly powers of the purse, tariffs, taxes, and war,” she said in response to the WTTW News Voter Guide.
Republican challenger Jennifer Davis, a tech entrepreneur, said the district is in need of a political outsider. She said affordability is the most important issue facing the district and vowed to cut federal taxes and “reduce burdensome regulations that stifle small businesses and entrepreneurs.”
9th District
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss emerged victorious from a very crowded Democratic primary to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky.
Looking to stop Biss in the district that starts in lakefront neighborhoods of Chicago and Evanston and winds its way through the northwest suburbs is Republican minister John Elleson.
Elleson, who has spent 40 years as a pastor, said the country needs bipartisan immigration reform and more investment in mental health and addiction services.
Biss has been an aggressive critic of the Trump administration and said affordability, particularly around healthcare, is the most important issue facing his potential constituents. He also cited limited housing stock and rising housing costs as issues to address.
Matt Masterson contributed reporting.
