Notable Illinois races, 2016
| Notable Illinois Races | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Primary | March 15, 2016 |
| General | November 8, 2016 |
| 2016 Notable Races | |
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| Choose a state below: | |
In 2016, Ballotpedia identified nine notable state legislative contests in Illinois. Six of these contests were for the Illinois House of Representatives, and three were for the Illinois Senate. Two of these seats were held by a Democratic incumbent, three were held by a Republican incumbent, and four, were open seats. Republican incumbents vacated all open seats.
Overview
- Main articles: Illinois State Senate elections, 2016 and Illinois House of Representatives elections, 2016
Democrats held the state House and state Senate majorities by 24 and 19 seats, respectively; they had a one-vote, veto-proof majority in the state House.
Veto-proof majority hung in the balance
The Democrats had a veto-proof majority, which is a three-fifths majority in Illinois, in both chambers. In the state House, the party had a one-seat majority, and a three seat veto-proof majority in the state Senate.
| Party | State House | State Senate |
|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 71 | 39 |
| Republicans | 47 | 20 |
What makes a race a battleground?
Ballotpedia uses these criteria to identify battleground races:
- Incumbents facing more conservative or liberal challengers
- Rematches between candidates
- Races that receive considerable media attention
- Races that could significantly affect the state's partisan balance
- Noteworthy races involving party leaders
- Open, competitive races with Republican and Democratic primaries
- Races that capture money and attention from outside groups, including key endorsements
Know of an interesting race we should include here? Email us!
Battlegrounds
House District 5
Candidates
Incumbent state Rep. Kenneth Dunkin (D) was first elected in 2002. Juliana Stratton (D) was an attorney and the director of the Center for Public Safety and Justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Stratton defeated Dunkin in the primary, and was unopposed in the 2016 general election.[1]
Race background
According to the Associated Press' Ivan Moreno, "The outcome of the races could have ramifications beyond their districts."[2]
In September 2015, Dunkin skipped a vote to override Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto of legislation limiting the governor's role in negotiating the contracts of public sector unions such as AFSCME Council 31, Illinois' largest public union. The override vote failed despite the Democrats having a 71-seat veto-proof majority in the state House. "Had Mr. Dunkin been here, there would have been 71 Democrats voting to override," said House Speaker Mike Madigan (D).[3]
Dunkin said that he made it clear he would not be present during the vote and argued that Madigan and party leaders knew of that beforehand. Rauner denied that he asked Dunkin to miss the vote, but said that he and Dunkin often discussed issues with each other.[3][4]
Describing his relationship to Speaker Madigan, Dunkin said, "Sometimes it's hot, sometimes it's warm, sometimes it's cold. But guess what? I'm not down there to make sure that Mike Madigan is happy for Ken Dunkin."[5]
In November 2015, Dunkin was the sole Democratic member not to cast a vote on a Madigan-backed measure to reverse the governor's changes to social service programs. Dunkin defended his actions, saying that he and the governor "worked out a compromise" that satisfied both sides and eventually became law. He later said, "I expect–and my constituents certainly expect–us to work out a compromise and solutions."[5]
According to the Chicago Sun-Times' Andy Grimm, the race between Dunkin and Stratton was viewed as "a choice between Gov. Bruce Rauner and House Speaker Mike Madigan," Dunkin had been open about collaborating with Rauner on certain issues, particularly those affecting the Black community, but insisted he was not "Rauner's guy." Stratton said that Democrats should stand up to Rauner's agenda but insisted she would not "rubber stamp" Madigan's agenda, either.[6]
On March 7, 2016, President Barack Obama (D) endorsed Stratton over Dunkin, narrating in an ad for Stratton that she "will bring a new voice to Springfield as State Representative."[7]
Campaign finance
According to Reboot Illinois, "the Dunkin-Stratton race was poised to become one of the most expensive state legislative primaries in Illinois history, with a total of $2.2 million in contributions." Both candidates recorded some of the highest donations of the 30 days before February 24, according to Illinois Sunshine, which tracks campaign contributions.[8]
As of March 11, 2016, Dunkin's campaign had received $987,312 in campaign contributions. The campaign received $800,000 from the Illinois Opportunity Project, a free market-oriented 501(c)(4) nonprofit. The group decided to support Dunkin in light of "the onslaught he is facing from House Speaker Mike Madigan and his public sector union allies in the March primary election," according to the group's website.[8][9][10]
As of March 11, 2016, Stratton's campaign had received over $1.2 million in campaign contributions, mainly from unions. The campaign received $138,900 from AFSCME Council 31, the public union that negotiates its contract with Gov. Rauner. The campaign also received $122,247 from SEIU Healthcare Illinois Indiana PAC, which is associated with the Service Employees International Union, a public union.[8][11]
Senate District 50
Candidates
Incumbent state Sen. Sam McCann (R) was first elected in 2010. Bryce Benton (R) was an Illinois state trooper. McCann defeated Benton, who was backed by Gov. Bruce Rauner (R). McCann was unopposed in the 2016 general election.
Race background
According to the Chicago Tribune's Editorial Board, "No race this election cycle grips the soul of Illinois politics right now more than this one." The race pitted McCann, who bucked his party in a vote on public unions, against Benton, who was endorsed by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.[12][13]
Public pensions and public unions were significant issues and played key roles in the race between McCann and Benton. In August 2015, McCann cast the sole Republican vote in favor of a bill that would weaken Gov. Rauner's negotiating power with public sector unions. McCann's vote allowed the state Senate to override Rauner's veto. McCann responded that he was representing his constituents, many of whom are state workers. "At the end of the day, I don’t work for the governor," McCann later said.[14][15]
Benton said he would have voted against overriding Rauner's veto. "The governor has endorsed me because he knows that I won’t bow to the demands of special interests and will fight for all of central Illinois," Benton said.[13]
Campaign finance
Several different groups poured money into the race, favoring either McCann or Benton. McCann picked up union support from AFSCME Council 31, Illinois' largest public employee union and the group negotiating with Gov. Rauner. McCann was also endorsed by the Illinois AFL-CIO and the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, as well as some conservative groups such as the National Rifle Association and Illinois Citizens for Life.[16][17]
Liberty Principles PAC, a group begun by conservative talk show host and former gubernatorial candidate Dan Proft, reportedly spent around $1.3 million in favor of Benton. Liberty Principles PAC had financial support from Gov. Rauner's Super PAC, Turnaround Illinois, which gave $1.81 million to Liberty Principles PAC. Proft's group ran ads tying McCann with House Speaker Michael Madigan (D), whose party had a 71-vote veto-proof majority in the state House.[14][18][19]
Benton also received endorsements from U.S House Rep. John Shimkus, Family PAC, the Illinois Network of Charter Schools Action PAC, and the Chicago Tribune. The Tribune endorsed Benton for his stance on union matters. "Taxpayers cannot afford to keep sending lawmakers to Springfield who are unwilling to stand up to union leadership at least some of the time," the paper stated.[20][12]
Senate District 26
Incumbent State Sen. Dan Duffy (R) did not run for re-election. Dan McConchie (R) defeated Martin McLaughlin (R). McConchie and Kelly Mazeski (D) faced off in the 2016 general election, and McConchie won with 59% to Mazeski's 41%.
Race background
Below were key endorsements for McConchie and McLaughlin. Urlacher's website did not list any endorsements:[21][22][23]
| Key endorsements | |
|---|---|
| McConchie | McLaughlin |
| State Sen. Michael Connelly | State Rep. Ed Sullivan Jr. |
| U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren | Realtors Political Action Committee |
| Family PAC Illinois | Chicago Tribune |
| Illinois Center Right Coalition | Chicago Sun-Times |
| Illinois Citizens for Life PAC | Northwest Herald |
| Illinois Federation for Right to Life PAC | Daily Herald |
| Illinois Gun Owners PAC | |
House District 66
Incumbent State Rep. Mike Tryon (R) did not run for re-election. Four Republican elected officials ran in the primary. Allen Skillicorn (R) defeated Carolyn Schofield (R) and Dan Wilbrandt (R). Skillicorn faced Nancy Zettler (D) in November. Skillicorn won, receving 58% to Zettler's 42%.
Race background
All three candidates were elected Republican officials and highlighted their experience in government. At a candidate forum, Schofield and Wilbrandt highlighted their ability to compromise with Democrats, who hold a veto-proof majority in the legislature. "We need to think of a solution that can have an effect when we take office next year. I'm not afraid of collaborating with both sides. I think it's a necessity down in Springfield," Schofield said. Wilbrandt said he would work with Republicans and Democrats to fix the state's pension systems.[24]
One conservative group, Liberty Principles PAC, issued a flyer that highlighted Schofield’s endorsement from the Illinois Education Association, a teachers' union that supports an income tax increase. The flyer highlighted Schofield's comments about finding common ground with Democrats and questioned whether Schofield would support an income tax increase. Schofield responded that an income tax increase would be inevitable without budget reforms and promised to balance the state's budget. "If elected, I will do everything in my power to create jobs and grow the Illinois economy, so that budgets can be balanced without a tax increase," Schofield said.[25]
The candidates received key endorsements. Schofield was endorsed by outgoing State Rep. Tryon and the Chicago Sun-Times, which highlighted her "impressive breadth of experience in government." The Chicago Tribune endorsed Skillicorn for being the "the most outspoken about the need to blow up the status quo in Springfield." The Northwest Herald endorsed Wilbrandt for being "best suited to work with the other side of the aisle."[26][27][28]
House District 95
Incumbent State Rep. Avery Bourne (R), who was appointed to the seat in February 2015 at the age of 22, ran for a full term. She defeated Dennis Scobbie (R) and Christopher Hicks (R). Bourne faced Mike Mathis (D) in November. Bourne won with 57% of the vote to Mathis' 43%.
Race background
Before her appointment, Bourne was a campaign volunteer for Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. The Illinois Republican Party spent more than $255,000 to assist Bourne in the primary, including mailers, television ads, and polling.[29]
Hicks said Bourne was the "establishment choice" who was primarily backed by "Governor Rauner and his deep-pocket cronies." Scobbie questioned whether Bourne had enough "life experiences" to represent District 95. Bourne responded that she brings "a different perspective, a different background from what we’ve been sending to Springfield for years and years."[30]
House District 99
Incumbent State Rep. Sara Wojcicki Jimenez (R), appointed in November 2015, ran for a full term. She defeated Kent Gray (R). Jimenez faced Tony DelGiorno (D) in November. Jimenez won with 61% of the vote to DelGiorno's 39%.
Race background
The Illinois Republican Party spent around $12,000 on mailers and consulting on behalf of Jimenez. Gray, the state's director for the Donald Trump presidential campaign, questioned Jimenez's Republican credentials based on her work for former Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D), who ran against U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R) in 2010. Jimenez responded that she has been a high-level staffer for Republican officials such as former Republican leader Tom Cross. She cited her "support from local Republicans in leadership and in the community."[31][32]
Jimenez and Gray argued over state workers and collective bargaining. Jimenez said, "I believe in the collective bargaining process," but noted that Illinois needs reforms to its public pension system. Gray said, "I’m not ready to support a change in collective bargaining," but stated that the state is "slightly in favor of unions." Gray said he would "re-evaluate" state law if the law should be changed.[33]
House District 102
Incumbent State Rep. Adam M. Brown (R) did not run for re-election. Former State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R), defeated Randy Peterson (R), who was endorsed by the outgoing Brown, and James Acklin (R). Halbrook was unopposed in November.
Race background
Independent groups associated with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner spent money in favor of Halbrook, while Acklin received a $53,000 donation from the Chicago Land Operators Joint Labor-Management PAC, which is sympathetic to public union issues, as well as donations from other unions like the Illinois Education Association and the Illinois Federation of Teachers. Around $40,000 reported by the Peterson campaign came from outgoing State Rep. Adam Brown.[34]
Halbrook was officially endorsed by Republican Gov. Rauner and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce PAC. Peterson was officially endorsed by outgoing State Rep. Adam Brown. Acklin's website did not list any endorsements.[35][36][37]
Senate District 2
Candidates
Incumbent State Sen. William Delgado (D) did not run for re-election in 2016. Omar Aquino (D), who was endorsed by Delgado, defeated Angelica Alfaro (D). Aquino was unopposed in November.
Race background
Alfaro and Aquino argued over their progressive credentials. Aquino called Alfaro a "Rauner Democrat," referring to her support from allies of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner such as the education group Stand for Children. "I think it's kind of laughable to call yourself a progressive when ... you receive money from people that are allies with the governor. ... They're the reason why we have a governor right now that has waged war on working-class families," Aquino said.[38]
Alfaro responded that Aquino was "backed by the political machine" and said she, in contrast, was running "a grassroots campaign" and received campaign contributions from local residents. "I'll be beholden to them, and I will represent them in Springfield," Alfaro said.[38]
An independent expenditure PAC aligned with Gov. Rauner, IllinoisGo, delivered pro-Alfaro mail, "touting her backstory as a first-generation college graduate and 'daughter of Mexican immigrants and proud union worker,'" according to Progress Illinois.[38]
Below were key endorsements for Alfaro and Aquino. Aquino received endorsements from prominent labor and teachers' unions while Alfaro received endorsements from several elected Chicago officials.[39][38][40][41]
| Key endorsements | |
|---|---|
| Alfaro | Aquino |
| Equality Illinois PAC | Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia |
| Planned Parenthood Illinois (both candidates were endorsed) | Planned Parenthood Illinois |
| Stand for Children PAC | Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa |
| Alderman Will Burns | Chicago Teachers Union |
| Alderman George Cardenas | Grassroots Illinois Action |
| Alderman Brian Hopkins | Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Illinois State Council |
| Alderman Proco Joe Moreno | AFL-CIO |
| Chicago Tribune | AFSCME - Council 31 |
| Alderman Danny Solis | Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois |
| INCS PAC | Illinois Education Association |
| GPAC | Illinois Federation of Teachers |
House District 22
Incumbent State Rep. and House Speaker Michael Madigan (D) defeated Jason Gonzales (D). Madigan was unopposed in November.
Race background
NBC Chicago's politics blog Ward Room featured the District 22 race in its twice-weekly column "Race to Watch." Gonzales touted his story of having "non-violent run-ins with the law" as a teenager to becoming a graduate of Harvard University and MIT.[42][43]
Gonzales was endorsed by the Chicago Tribune over Madigan. "He has resources and money—some from reform-minded donors who support redistricting and term limits, and some from supporters of Gov. Bruce Rauner who are tired of Madigan's iron grip on state government," the paper stated.[44]
After the election, Gonzales filed a lawsuit alleging that Madigan had run ads accusing Gonzales of being a criminal and that Madigan had assisted two other candidates in filing so that they could divert votes away from Gonzales.[45] Gonzales said, "This isn’t about me being a sore loser. It isn’t about me crying because I lost. It’s about justice. It’s about justice for me. It’s about justice for every candidate who has come before and will go ahead."[46] Madigan said Gonzales "cannot be trusted and his lawsuit is without merit... Voters of my district soundly renominated me based on my strong record of service, giving me more than 65 percent of the vote, and they emphatically rejected Jason Gonzales because they knew he couldn't be trusted."[45] In 2021, a three-judge panel ruled in favor of Madigan.[47]
Campaign finance
Illinois United for Change, a political action committee whose purpose is "to support reform-minded candidates and other political movements in Illinois," spent over $100,000 in support of Gonzales. Under Illinois campaign finance law, this action removes limits on campaign spending and allows committees to raise unlimited funds leading up to the election, which means Madigan's committee, Friends of Michael J. Madigan, was also permitted to raise unlimited funds.[48]
Blair Hull, a Democrat who ran against then-state Sen. Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate Democratic primary in 2004, is a major donor to Illinois United for Change. Most of the money Hull gave to the group went toward ads against Madigan and in support of Gonzales.[49]
Freshman legislators
The following is a list of challengers who won election on November 8.
- Allen Skillicorn (Republican), .Illinois House of Representatives, District 66
- Brad Halbrook (Republican), .Illinois House of Representatives, District 102
- Cristina Castro (Democratic), .Illinois State Senate, District 22
- Dale Fowler (Republican), .Illinois State Senate, District 59
- Daniel Swanson (Republican), .Illinois House of Representatives, District 74
- Dave Severin (Republican), .Illinois House of Representatives, District 117
- Jerry Long (Republican), .Illinois House of Representatives, District 76
- Jil Tracy (Republican), .Illinois State Senate, District 47
- Juliana Stratton (Democratic), .Illinois House of Representatives, District 5
- Katie Stuart (Democratic), .Illinois House of Representatives, District 112
- LaToya Greenwood (Democratic), .Illinois House of Representatives, District 114
- Lindsay Parkhurst (Republican), .Illinois House of Representatives, District 79
- Melissa Conyears-Ervin (Democratic), .Illinois House of Representatives, District 10
- Michael Halpin (Democratic), .Illinois House of Representatives, District 72
- Nick Sauer (Republican), .Illinois House of Representatives, District 51
- Omar Aquino (Democratic), .Illinois State Senate, District 2
- Paul Schimpf (Republican), .Illinois State Senate, District 58
- Ryan Spain (Republican), .Illinois House of Representatives, District 73
- Steven Reick (Republican), .Illinois House of Representatives, District 63
- Theresa Mah (Democratic), .Illinois House of Representatives, District 2
- Tony McCombie (Republican), .Illinois House of Representatives, District 71
Defeated incumbents
The following is a list of incumbents who were defeated on November 8.
- Andy Skoog (Democratic), .Illinois House of Representatives, District 76
- Dwight D. Kay (Republican), .Illinois House of Representatives, District 112
- Gary Forby (Democratic), .Illinois State Senate, District 59
- John E. Bradley (Democratic), .Illinois House of Representatives, District 117
- Katherine Cloonen (Democratic), .Illinois House of Representatives, District 79
- Mike Smiddy (Democratic), .Illinois House of Representatives, District 71
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Chicago Tribune, "Column: Ken Dunkin is no rebel," March 3, 2016
- ↑ The Associated Press, "Primaries test loyalty, party sway amid Illinois budget spat," March 2, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 ABC 7 Chicago, "Dem Dunkin Talks after Missing Key Vote in Springfield," September 10, 2015
- ↑ Chicago Tonight, "State Rep. Ken Dunkin: ‘I Don’t Work for Mike Madigan,’" September 4, 2015
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Chicago Tonight, "State Rep. Ken Dunkin Breaks Ranks With Democrats Again," November 11, 2015
- ↑ Chicago Sun-Times, "State house race pits Dunkin vs. Stratton, Rauner vs. Madigan," accessed March 2, 2016
- ↑ Chicago Sun-Times, "Obama endorses Stratton in 5th district campaign against Dunkin," March 7, 2016
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Reboot Illinois, "Michael Madigan vs. Bruce Rauner Proxy War Breaking Primary Spending Records," February 24, 2016
- ↑ Illinois Opportunity Project, "IOP Invests $500,000 in State Representative Race," accessed March 2, 2016
- ↑ Illinois Sunshine, "Friends of Ken Dunkin Committee," accessed March 11, 2016
- ↑ Illinois Sunshine, "Friends of Juliana Stratton Candidate Committee," accessed March 2, 2016
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Chicago Tribune, "Chicago Tribune endorsements for the Illinois Senate," February 26, 2016
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 State Journal-Register, "Gov. Rauner endorses Bryce Benton in Illinois Senate race," accessed March 2, 2016
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Huffington Post, "Madigan vs. Rauner Proxy Wars Shattering Primary Spending Records," February 25, 2016
- ↑ State Journal-Register, "Gov. Rauner endorses Bryce Benton in Illinois Senate race," February 12, 2016
- ↑ Illinois Sunshine, "Sam McCann for Senate Candidate Committee," accessed March 1, 2016
- ↑ McCann for Senate, "Endorsements," accessed March 1, 2016
- ↑ Illinois Sunshine, "Liberty Principles PAC: Super PAC," accessed March 1, 2016
- ↑ State Journal-Register, "Statehouse Insider: Opponents find common ground bashing Chicago," February 27, 2016
- ↑ Elect Bruce Benton, "Endorsements," accessed March 1, 2016
- ↑ Dan McConchie, "Endorsements," accessed March 1, 2016
- ↑ FixOurState.com, "Endorsements," accessed March 1, 2016
- ↑ Casey Urlacher, "Home page," accessed March 1, 2016
- ↑ Northwest Herald, " GOP candidates vie to succeed Illinois Rep. Mike Tryon in 66th House DIstrict," February 12, 2016
- ↑ McHenry Times, "Conservatives concerned about Schofield support for tax hike," March 3, 2016
- ↑ Northwest Herald, "Our View: Dan Wilbrandt for 66th District state representative," February 25, 2016
- ↑ Chicago Tribune, "Chicago Tribune endorsements: More choices for the Illinois House," March 1, 2016
- ↑ Chicago Sun-Times, "Editorial: Our endorsements for the Illinois House," accessed March 2, 2016
- ↑ Chicago Tribune, "Chicago Tribune endorsements: Final choices for the Illinois House," March 2, 2016
- ↑ State Journal-Register, "Bernard Schoenburg: State GOP past $250,000 in support for Rep. Avery Bourne," February 10, 2016
- ↑ Illinois Public Radio, "99th GOP House Primary Candidate: Rep. Sara Wojcicki Jimenez," February 29, 2016
- ↑ State Journal-Register, "Bernard Schoenburg: State GOP past $250,000 in support for Rep. Avery Bourne," accessed March 3, 2016
- ↑ State Journal-Register, "Illinois House hopefuls tout their credentials," February 29, 2016
- ↑ News-Gazette, "Campaign donations crop up as issue in 102nd forum," February 29, 2016
- ↑ Jim Macklin, "Hope page," accessed March 3, 2016
- ↑ Brad Halbrook, "News," accessed March 3, 2016
- ↑ Randy for Rep, "Support," accessed March 3, 2016
- ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 Progress Illinois, "Candidates In 2nd Senate District Clash On Charter Schools, Progressive Credentials," February 23, 2016
- ↑ Friends of Angelica Alfaro, "Endorsements," accessed February 24, 2016
- ↑ Aquino for Senate, "Endorsements," accessed March 1, 2016
- ↑ Progress Illinois, "Progressive Groups, Leaders Endorse Omar Aquino In 2nd Senate District," February 16, 2016
- ↑ NBC Chicago, "Race to Watch: Illinois House of Representatives District 22," February 23, 2016
- ↑ Jason for Illinois, "My story," accessed March 11, 2016
- ↑ Chicago Tribune, "Chicago Tribune endorsements for the Illinois House," February 29, 2016
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 Governing, "Loser in Illinois Primary Files Federal Lawsuit," August 9, 2016
- ↑ WGLT, "Former Opponent Sues Speaker Madigan," August 8, 2016
- ↑ FOX 32, "Court rules in Mike Madigan's favor in dirty tricks allegation," March 8, 2021
- ↑ NBC Chicago, "Tribune Endorses Newcomer Jason Gonzales Over Michael Madigan for State Rep," March 2, 2016
- ↑ Chicago Tribune, "Speaker Madigan gets a challenge, for a change," March 11, 2016
