Illinois voters head to the polls Tuesday to select their U.S. House representatives for the next two years, with the state's 17 congressional districts up for grabs. Currently, the delegation is split 14-3 in favor of Democrats, and most races are considered safe for incumbents. But the 2026 cycle brings significant turnover, as five Democratic incumbents are retiring, creating open-seat contests that could reshape the state's political landscape.
Open Seats and Key Primaries
Two of the retiring Democrats — Reps. Robin Kelly (2nd District) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District) — left their seats to run for the Senate, but both lost the Democratic nomination to Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. In their absence, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller is the Democratic nominee in the 2nd District, while former Rep. Melissa Bean is running in the 8th District, hoping to reclaim the seat she lost in the 2010 Tea Party wave to Joe Walsh, who later became a vocal critic of President Trump.
Three other longtime Democrats — Reps. Jesús “Chuy” García (4th District), Danny Davis (7th District), and Jan Schakowsky (9th District) — are retiring after lengthy careers. García's seat will likely go to Patty Garcia, a former staffer who secured the nomination after the incumbent dropped out just before the ballot deadline. In the 7th District, state Rep. La Shawn Ford won a crowded primary, defeating Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin. The 9th District race saw former Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss edge out progressive influencer Kat Abughazaleh by three points in a high-profile primary.
Implications for the House
These open seats could be competitive in the general election, though handicappers still rate most as safe for the Democrats. However, the retirements signal a generational shift in the Illinois delegation, as new faces replace seasoned lawmakers. The state's political dynamics are also being watched nationally, as control of the House remains tight. Similar dynamics are playing out in California's House races, where several competitive districts could determine the majority.
Illinois' gubernatorial race is also drawing attention, with Gov. J.B. Pritzker facing Republican Darren Bailey again in a rematch of the 2022 contest. That race is expected to be less competitive, but it could affect turnout in downstate areas. Meanwhile, voters are also weighing economic concerns, as a recent poll found that 48% of voters cite the cost of living as a key issue, which could factor into their choices.
What to Watch
Polls close at 8 p.m. EST, and results will begin coming in shortly after. The key races to watch are the open-seat contests in the 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th, and 9th districts, where the Democratic nominees are expected to win but could face unexpected challenges. In the 8th District, Bean's bid to return to Congress after a 16-year absence adds a layer of intrigue, as she faces a tough general election fight.
Illinois' redistricting process has also been a point of contention, but the current map remains in place for this cycle. As results come in, political observers will be looking for any signs of a shift in the state's political alignment, especially in the suburbs of Chicago, where several races could be closer than expected. For more on how other states are handling their House elections, see Florida's redrawn map and Louisiana's 6th District race.
