Illinois Comptroller election, 2026 (March 17, 2026 Democratic primary)

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← 2022
Illinois Comptroller
Election details
Filing deadline: November 3, 2025
Primary: March 17, 2026 General: November 3, 2026
How to vote
Poll times: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voting in Illinois
Ballotpedia analysis
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Illinois executive elections
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Margaret Croke (D) defeated three other candidates in the Democratic primary for Illinois Comptroller on March 17, 2026.

Incumbent Susana Mendoza (D), who took office in 2016, did not run for re-election. The Chicago Tribune's Rick Pearson and Jeremy Gorrner wrote before the election that Mendoza's retirement "creates a statewide office opening in the already competitive 2026 election."

The state comptroller's office managed finances, pension funds, and reported on the state’s fiscal condition.

Croke was elected to the state House in 2020. She campaigned to modernize the office, and said she wanted to create a system "where anyone could see where in the life cycle public dollars are from when they are appropriated... to when the Comptroller’s Office pays the bill." Croke said her legislative experience makes her qualified: "We all have seen bills pass, and we’ve seen bills blow up, and it’s because of your relationships... I feel really confident about my ability to... steer the ship in the right direction.”

Kifowit was elected to the state House in 2012. She campaigned on creating a dedicated labor division to "conduct proactive, pre-payment audits of all Illinois labor laws, including state OSHA standards... to catch violations before taxpayer dollars go out the door." Kifowit's website said her experience as a financial advisor and in the legislature made her qualified: "[Stephanie] has reviewed the Comptroller’s budget, working with the Comptroller's office, almost every single year as a legislator, she knows this office inside and out."

Kim was elected Lake County treasurer in 2018. She campaigned to improve transparency in the office. In her response to Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, she said she supported "enforcing prevailing wage laws, strengthening public trust, and ensuring every dollar spent is documented." Kim also said her work as treasurer gave her experience, and, in her survey responses, said that she had "hands-on experience managing billions of public dollars and staff at the executive level."

Villa was elected to the state Senate in 2021. She campaigned on ensuring that the state budget helps individuals in poverty. Her website said she would "prioritize bill payments... [to ensure] healthcare, housing, mental health services and public education remain top priority." Villa also campaigned on her experience as a legislator and social worker: "A social worker who has this background, who has the understanding, who has spent all of this time in the General Assembly combing through the budget...makes the most sense."

Capitol News Illinois' Ben Szalnski wrote that the next comptroller would take office "as the state faces growing financial uncertainty." Each candidate proposed different approaches to managing state finances. Croke and Kifowit both said they wanted to increase the state's reserves. Croke also said she would consider refinancing state pension debt, while Kifowit's website focused on cutting spending that benefits corporations. Kim campaigned on improving the state's credit rating and proposed instituting a progressive state income tax. Villa supported raising revenue to fund social programs, and supported a progressive income tax and a digital advertising tax.

Stephanie Kifowit (D) and Holly Kim (D) completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. To read those survey responses, click here.

To read more about the general election, click here.

Candidates and election results

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Illinois Comptroller

Margaret Croke, Stephanie Kifowit, Holly Kim, and Karina Villa ran in the Democratic primary for Illinois Comptroller on March 17, 2026.

		Candidate
		Margaret Croke
		Stephanie Kifowit
		Holly Kim
		Karina Villa

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	There are no incumbents in this race. The outcome of this election has not been called yet.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• George Danos (D)

Voting information

See also: Voting in Illinois

Election information in Illinois: Nov. 3, 2026, election.

What is the voter registration deadline?

• In-person: Nov. 3, 2026
• By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 6, 2026
• Online: Oct. 18, 2026

Is absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters?

Yes

What is the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?

• In-person: Nov. 2, 2026
• By mail: Received by Oct. 29, 2026
• Online: Oct. 29, 2026

What is the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

• In-person: Nov. 3, 2026
• By mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3, 2026

Is early voting available to all voters?

Yes

What are the early voting start and end dates?

Sep. 24, 2026 to Nov. 2, 2026

Are all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, is a photo or non-photo ID required?

N/A

When are polls open on Election Day?

6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (CT)

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Margaret Croke

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

• Illinois House of Representatives, District 12 (Assumed office: 2021)

Biography:  Croke earned her bachelor's degree in political science and communication from the University of Michigan in 2014. She worked as a political aide for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign and for Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D).

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Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

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Croke supported modernizing the office's capabilities, and said she wanted to create a system "where anyone could see where in the life cycle public dollars are from when they are appropriated ... to when the Comptroller’s Office pays the bill."

---

Croke campaigned on her experience in the legislature, saying, "We all have seen bills pass, and we’ve seen bills blow up, and it’s because of your relationships ... I feel really confident about my ability to ... steer the ship in the right direction."

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Croke supported increasing the state's reserves and credit rating, saying, "If we can increase our credit rating ... that we have those reserves and it helps us in the long term with our long-term borrowing, it’s something that we need to do."

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Show sources

Sources: Shaw Local, "2026 Election Questionnaire: Margaret Croke, Illinois Comptroller," February 7, 2026; Capitol News Illinois, "Election ’26: 4 Democrats seeking to replace Mendoza as Illinois comptroller," February 2, 2026; VoteSmart, "Margaret Croke," accessed February 26, 2026

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Illinois Comptroller in 2026.

Stephanie Kifowit

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Submitted Biography:  "Representative Kifowit learned the value of hard work and financial discipline early. She grew up the daughter of a single mother in a blended working-class family who called the western suburbs home, worked multiple jobs as a teenager, and experienced firsthand the challenge of making every dollar count. Her commitment to service began at just 17, when she joined the United States Marine Corps right out of high school and served honorably from 1990 to 1994. After returning to Illinois from her overseas deployment, she worked her way through college, earning both a B.S. in Political Science and a MPA from Northern Illinois University. Homing in on her desire to serve, she applied her expertise in banking and as a registered financial advisor to help families plan for their financial futures. Her record of public service is both extensive and deeply rooted in her community. She served as an Alderman for the City of Aurora for ten years, and for over twelve years, she has been a trusted member of the Illinois House of Representatives, where she has proven her ability to build coalitions and deliver results. Representative Kifowit has over 20 years of experience in Finance and Government. She is currently a state representative, serving during the Quinn, Rauner, and Pritzker administrations. She has always served on key budget committees, including the budget working group during the 2½-year impasse and today. In Springfield, her leadership roles reflect her financial expertise"

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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Create a dedicated Labor Division. Kifowit is proposing expanding the current Prevailing Wage Division into The Labor Division. This dedicated team will move beyond just checking a certified payroll for prevailing wage enforcement. They will conduct proactive, pre-payment audits of all Illinois labor laws, including state OSHA standards in a time of weakening National OSHA standards, to catch violations before taxpayer dollars go out the door. In addition, Kifowit will work with the General Assembly to codify the Comptroller’s Executive Order 19-01 into Illinois State Law. The Division will modernize the existing prevailing wage online database to make it more accountable and transparent, in addition to being more user friendly.

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Create a Nonprofit & Community-Based Division. Throughout her years in the General Assembly, Representative Kifowit has worked with many non-profits who have struggled to receive the needed state funding they were allocated. The Nonprofit Community-Based Division will address the bureaucratic delays that threaten the stability of social services across Illinois. Dedicated staff will serve as a direct point of contact for nonprofits, helping them navigate payment issues, troubleshoot delays with state agencies, and ensure their funding moves through the system efficiently. The Division will also create and maintain a public-facing, user friendly online dashboard showing the status of grant payments owed to nonprofit organizations.

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Modernization and Technological Upgrades: Upgrading to Smarter Systems for Accuracy and Accountability by continuing the strategic modernization of the Comptroller’s office to increase efficiency, eliminate costly payroll errors, and ensure every taxpayer dollar is accounted for. This means investing in modern Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems to streamline operations, implementing advanced data analytics to proactively detect anomalies and fraud, and creating user-friendly digital portals for vendors and local governments. Modernization will enable the Comptroller’s office to review fund balances, the effects of fund sweeps, and report out low balance funds that have payment delays associated with them

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Illinois Comptroller in 2026.

Holly Kim

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Submitted Biography:  "Currently serving her second term as Lake County Treasurer, Holly Kim is the only prospective candidate with hands-on experience managing billions of public dollars and staff at the executive level. Under her leadership, the Treasurer’s office has modernized systems, increased transparency, and implemented innovative, community-centered investment strategies. Kim would make history as the first Asian American elected to a statewide constitutional office in Illinois. The highest vote getter as a countywide executive in Lake County, Holly Kim is dedicated to bringing her Democratic values to support all people across the state."

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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Leading with Experience - As Lake County Treasurer, she has brought bold leadership, innovative problem-solving, and a relentless commitment to public service. Her background spans public, private, and nonprofit sectors. She has served as a Village Trustee, Township Director, and nonprofit board leader, and currently serves as a Commissioner for the Bank On Illinois initiative under the Illinois Comptroller’s Office. Her office processes and cuts $73.5 million in checks, and 2.8 billion in ACH distributions demonstrating a core function of the Comptroller’s role. Holly understands how money moves through government and how to ensure it is tracked, protected, and used responsibly.

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Independent Fiscal Oversight - Holly Kim is not tied to the political establishment, and her record proves she will be an independent voice for Illinois taxpayers. She is trusted by voters across suburban and urban districts as she is the candidate with the most crossover votes in Lake County because she shows up, listens, and leads with integrity. Holly will hold the contractors accountable by enforcing prevailing wage laws, strengthening public trust, and ensuring every dollar spent is documented. She knows the job of Comptroller is to serve the people, not powerful interests, and she is prepared to speak up when there is injustice.

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Innovation and Modernization - Holly Kim has transformed how local governments manage money by putting her background in technology and process improvement to work. She eliminated duplication in payment systems, streamlined workflows, and maximized existing software to speed up operations and reduce waste. Under her leadership, Lake County secured record investment earnings of over $3.2 million in a single year by putting property tax dollars to work rather than letting them sit idle. These earnings went directly back to schools, libraries, and essential services. As Comptroller, Holly will modernize financial systems across the state and make government work better, faster, and more securely.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Illinois Comptroller in 2026.

Karina Villa

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

• Illinois State Senate, District 25 (Assumed office: 2021)

Biography:  Villa earned a bachelor's degree in human services and psychology from National Louis University in 2000 and her master's degree in social work from Aurora University in 2003. She worked as a social worker.

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Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

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Villa said that as comptroller, she would "prioritize bill payments in order to protect our most vulnerable. That means ensuring healthcare, housing, mental health services and public education remain top priority."

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Villa campaigned on her experience as a social worker and as a legislator: "A social worker who has this background, who has the understanding, who has spent all of this time in the General Assembly combing through the budget ... makes the most sense."

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Villa campaigned on increasing spending and revenue, and said, "To continue to put money away for a rainy day when we’re in the middle of a tsunami, that’s not when we should be putting money away for a rainy day."

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Show sources

Sources: Karina Villa 2026 campaign website, "Make Illinois work for Illinois families again," accessed February 26, 2026; Capitol News Illinois, "Election ’26: 4 Democrats seeking to replace Mendoza as Illinois comptroller," February 2, 2026; Legistorm, "Illinois State Sen. Karina Villa," accessed February 26, 2026; Karina Villa 2026 campaign website, "Meet Karina," accessed February 26, 2026

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Illinois Comptroller in 2026.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Expand all | Collapse all

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Stephanie Kifowit (D)

Create a dedicated Labor Division. Kifowit is proposing expanding the current Prevailing Wage Division into The Labor Division. This dedicated team will move beyond just checking a certified payroll for prevailing wage enforcement. They will conduct proactive, pre-payment audits of all Illinois labor laws, including state OSHA standards in a time of weakening National OSHA standards, to catch violations before taxpayer dollars go out the door. In addition, Kifowit will work with the General Assembly to codify the Comptroller’s Executive Order 19-01 into Illinois State Law. The Division will modernize the existing prevailing wage online database to make it more accountable and transparent, in addition to being more user friendly.

Create a Nonprofit & Community-Based Division. Throughout her years in the General Assembly, Representative Kifowit has worked with many non-profits who have struggled to receive the needed state funding they were allocated. The Nonprofit Community-Based Division will address the bureaucratic delays that threaten the stability of social services across Illinois. Dedicated staff will serve as a direct point of contact for nonprofits, helping them navigate payment issues, troubleshoot delays with state agencies, and ensure their funding moves through the system efficiently. The Division will also create and maintain a public-facing, user friendly online dashboard showing the status of grant payments owed to nonprofit organizations.

Modernization and Technological Upgrades: Upgrading to Smarter Systems for Accuracy and Accountability by continuing the strategic modernization of the Comptroller’s office to increase efficiency, eliminate costly payroll errors, and ensure every taxpayer dollar is accounted for. This means investing in modern Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems to streamline operations, implementing advanced data analytics to proactively detect anomalies and fraud, and creating user-friendly digital portals for vendors and local governments. Modernization will enable the Comptroller’s office to review fund balances, the effects of fund sweeps, and report out low balance funds that have payment delays associated with them

Holly Kim (D)

Leading with Experience - As Lake County Treasurer, she has brought bold leadership, innovative problem-solving, and a relentless commitment to public service. Her background spans public, private, and nonprofit sectors. She has served as a Village Trustee, Township Director, and nonprofit board leader, and currently serves as a Commissioner for the Bank On Illinois initiative under the Illinois Comptroller’s Office.

Her office processes and cuts $73.5 million in checks, and 2.8 billion in ACH distributions demonstrating a core function of the Comptroller’s role. Holly understands how money moves through government and how to ensure it is tracked, protected, and used responsibly.

Independent Fiscal Oversight - Holly Kim is not tied to the political establishment, and her record proves she will be an independent voice for Illinois taxpayers.

She is trusted by voters across suburban and urban districts as she is the candidate with the most crossover votes in Lake County because she shows up, listens, and leads with integrity. Holly will hold the contractors accountable by enforcing prevailing wage laws, strengthening public trust, and ensuring every dollar spent is documented.

She knows the job of Comptroller is to serve the people, not powerful interests, and she is prepared to speak up when there is injustice.

Innovation and Modernization - Holly Kim has transformed how local governments manage money by putting her background in technology and process improvement to work.

She eliminated duplication in payment systems, streamlined workflows, and maximized existing software to speed up operations and reduce waste. Under her leadership, Lake County secured record investment earnings of over $3.2 million in a single year by putting property tax dollars to work rather than letting them sit idle.

These earnings went directly back to schools, libraries, and essential services. As Comptroller, Holly will modernize financial systems across the state and make government work better, faster, and more securely.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Stephanie Kifowit (D)

As the only female Veteran, I am passionate about protecting victims of military sexual trauma and supporting our Veterans. I am also passionate about being an advocate for individuals with autism and I am passionate about finance. My legislative work is marked by a focus on property tax relief for homeowners, and I am a tireless advocate for her fellow Veterans, earning the 2024 and 2025 "Legislator of the Year" award from the Illinois Association of County Veterans Assistance Commissions.

Holly Kim (D)

Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim is running for Illinois Comptroller to bring a people-first vision for financial accountability and equity

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Holly Kim (D)

The Comptroller operates at the intersection of policy, finance, and accountability. Unlike most offices, it independently verifies and reports how tax dollars are spent, serving as a critical check within state government. It also has the ability to illuminate the financial implications of legislative and executive decisions, helping ensure that the state’s budget reflects both fiscal discipline and moral responsibility to its residents. The office requires both technical financial expertise and executive leadership—exactly the combination I bring from managing Lake County's public dollars and staff.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Holly Kim (D)

An elected official should embody integrity, accountability, and a genuine commitment to public service. Decision-making must be guided by data, not politics, and every action should advance transparency and equity. Public trust is earned by being accessible, responsive, and fiscally responsible—treating every taxpayer dollar as if it were one’s own. Above all, an elected official must lead with empathy, understanding how policy decisions affect people’s daily lives. In my current role as Lake County Treasurer, I've demonstrated these principles by overseeing over $3 billion in fund distribution, negotiating record investment earnings that returned over $3.2 million directly to schools, libraries, and local governments, and publishing unclaimed funds online for the first time to increase transparency.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Holly Kim (D)

The State Comptroller serves as the chief fiscal watchdog for Illinois, ensuring that public funds are collected, managed, and disbursed responsibly. This includes maintaining accurate accounting of state expenditures, promoting transparency through accessible public reporting, and ensuring that financial systems are modern and efficient. The Comptroller must also use the office’s platform to advocate for long-term fiscal stability—balancing short-term obligations with the state’s future needs. As Lake County Treasurer, I've lived these responsibilities firsthand by modernizing financial systems, cutting fees, streamlining payment processing, and ensuring every dollar authorized under my name serves the public good.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Holly Kim (D)

I remember watching the fall of the Berlin Wall on TV in 1989. I was about nine years old. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the politics of it, but I can remember people celebrating. As a first-generation Korean American, it stuck with me as a symbol of hope and change — that walls can come down, and people can come together after being divided for so long.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Holly Kim (D)

Transparency in government spending is foundational to ensure accountability and trust from all Illinoisians. Taxpayers deserve to know where their money goes and what value it creates. Equally important is ensuring timely payments to social service providers, local governments, and small businesses that depend on the state’s reliability. Fiscal stewardship isn’t just about balancing books—it’s about ensuring that resources are deployed efficiently and equitably to strengthen communities. In Lake County, I've expanded community-based investments by purchasing local bonds and adding credit unions as property tax collection sites, ensuring that working families have greater access to financial services.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Holly Kim (D)

Many people are unaware that the Comptroller’s office has a powerful role in public engagement through fiscal transparency initiatives. Beyond processing payments, the office can publish data, create dashboards, and highlight inequities in state spending. The Comptroller also helps enforce laws that promote local government accountability, such as requiring municipalities to file annual financial reports—tools that empower residents to hold their own governments accountable. Additionally, the office can advocate for legislative changes that promote fairness—like the legislation I introduced as Treasurer to reduce tax penalties for low-income residents hit with high interest fees, ensuring fairer treatment for working families.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Holly Kim (D)

Yes, because managing state finances requires both technical knowledge and a deep understanding of how government systems interact. Experience in public administration helps navigate budget processes, intergovernmental relationships, and compliance requirements. However, that experience should be complemented by a reform-minded approach—someone willing to modernize systems, build coalitions, and innovate in the public interest.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Holly Kim (D)

A strong Comptroller should have executive management experience, expertise in finance, data management, and a demonstrated history of successful organizational leadership. Equally essential are skills in communication and coalition-building to make fiscal data understandable and actionable to our taxpayers. Ethical leadership, technological fluency, and a commitment to continuous improvement are also critical for adapting state financial systems to the needs of a modern, diverse Illinois. I'm the only candidate in this race with direct, executive-level experience managing billions of public dollars and staff. This hands-on experience is irreplaceable—every dollar that flows through my office is authorized under my name, and I'm accountable for those decisions.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Stephanie Kifowit (D)

Elected: Congressman Danny Davis, Representative Will Davis, Harper, Mussman, Scherer and local elected leaders. Orgs: Vote Vets, With Honor, IL Veterans for Change, Personal PAC, IL NOW PAC

Labor: Painters District Councils 14, 30, 58 (whole state) Steelworkers District 7 (whole state), Local 17U Decorators Union, Roofers, Water proofers and Allied Workers, Local 11, Cement Mason's Local 502, National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 219, Illinois Federation of Public Employees, Local 4408 Chicago Firefighters Local 2, Naperville Firefighters, I.A.F.F. Local 4302, Aurora Firefighters, I.A.F.F. Local 99 Ottawa Firefighters I.A.F.F. Local 162, Illinois State FOP,

Chicago FOP Lodge 7, Blind Vendors Association

Holly Kim (D)

See all of our endorsements at https://www.voteforhollykim.com/endorsements

Campaign advertisements

This section includes a selection of up to three campaign advertisements per candidate released in this race, as well as links to candidates' YouTube, Vimeo, and/or Facebook video pages. If you are aware of other links that should be included, please email us.

Margaret Croke

View more ads here:

• Facebook

Stephanie Kifowit

View more ads here:

• Facebook

Holly Kim

"Holly Kim - Protector" - Carr campaign ad, released February 23, 2026

View more ads here:

• YouTube

Karina Villa

View more ads here:

• Facebook

Endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

Click the links below to see official endorsement lists published on candidate campaign websites for any candidates that make that information available. If you are aware of a website that should be included, please email us.

• Margaret Croke
• Stephanie Kifowit
• Holly Kim
• Karina Villa

Campaign finance

Campaign spending

The tables below contain data from financial reports submitted to state agencies. The data is gathered and made available by Transparency USA. Transparency USA tracks loans separately from total contributions. View each candidates’ loan totals, if any, by clicking “View More” in the table below and learn more about this data here.

Satellite spending

See also: Satellite spending

Satellite spending describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.

If available, this section includes links to online resources tracking satellite spending in this election. To notify us of a resource to add, email us.

Election analysis

Click the tabs below to view information about demographics, past elections, and partisan control of the state.

• Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the state.
• Statewide elections - Information about recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections in the state.
• State partisanship - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.
• Demographics - Information about the state's demographics and how they compare to the country as a whole.

• Presidential elections
• Statewide elections
• State partisanship
• Demographics

See also: Presidential voting trends in Illinois and The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

Cook PVI by congressional district

2024 presidential results by 2026 congressional district lines

2024 presidential results in congressional districts, Illinois

District	Kamala Harris	Donald Trump
Illinois' 1st	65.0%	33.0%
Illinois' 2nd	66.0%	33.0%
Illinois' 3rd	65.0%	34.0%
Illinois' 4th	63.0%	35.0%
Illinois' 5th	68.0%	31.0%
Illinois' 6th	52.0%	47.0%
Illinois' 7th	82.0%	17.0%
Illinois' 8th	53.0%	46.0%
Illinois' 9th	68.0%	31.0%
Illinois' 10th	60.0%	38.0%
Illinois' 11th	55.0%	44.0%
Illinois' 12th	28.0%	71.0%
Illinois' 13th	54.0%	44.0%
Illinois' 14th	52.0%	47.0%
Illinois' 15th	29.0%	69.0%
Illinois' 16th	38.0%	61.0%
Illinois' 17th	52.0%	47.0%
Source: The Downballot

2016-2024

How a state's counties vote in a presidential election and the size of those counties can provide additional insights into election outcomes at other levels of government including statewide and congressional races. Below, four categories are used to describe each county's voting pattern over the 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential elections: Solid, Trending, Battleground, and New. Click [show] on the table below for examples:

County-level voting pattern categories
Democratic
Status	2016	2020	2024
Solid Democratic	D	D	D
Trending Democratic	R	D	D
Battleground Democratic	D	R	D
New Democratic	R	R	D
Republican
Status	2016	2020	2024
Solid Republican	R	R	R
Trending Republican	D	R	R
Battleground Republican	R	D	R
New Republican	D	D	R

Following the 2024 presidential election, 72.8% of Illinoisans lived in one of the state's 12 Solid Democratic counties, which voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election from 2016 to 2024, and 24.7% lived in one of 88 Solid Republican counties. Overall, Illinois was Solid Democratic, having voted for Hillary Clinton (D) in 2016, Joe Biden (D) in 2020, and Kamala Harris (D) in 2024. Use the table below to view the total number of each type of county in Illinois following the 2024 election as well as the overall percentage of the state population located in each county type.

Illinois county-level statistics, 2024
Solid Democratic	12	72.8%
Solid Republican	88	24.7%
Trending Democratic	2	2.5%
Total voted Democratic	14	75.3%
Total voted Republican	88	24.7%

Historical voting trends

Illinois presidential election results (1900-2024)

• 17 Democratic wins
• 15 Republican wins

Year	1900	1904	1908	1912	1916	1920	1924	1928	1932	1936	1940	1944	1948	1952	1956	1960	1964	1968	1972	1976	1980	1984	1988	1992	1996	2000	2004	2008	2012	2016	2020	2024
Winning Party	R	R	R	D	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D

This section details the results of the five most recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections held in the state.

U.S. Senate elections

See also: List of United States Senators from Illinois

The table below details the vote in the five most recent U.S. Senate races in Illinois.

U.S. Senate election results in Illinois

Race	Winner	Runner up
2022	56.8%	41.5%
2020	54.9%	38.9%
2016	54.9%	39.8%
2014	53.5%	42.7%
2010	48.0%	46.4%
Average	53.6	41.9

Gubernatorial elections

See also: Governor of Illinois

The table below details the vote in the five most recent gubernatorial elections in Illinois.

Gubernatorial election results in Illinois

Race	Winner	Runner up
2022	54.9%	42.4%
2018	54.5%	38.8%
2014	50.3%	46.4%
2010	46.8%	45.9%
2006	49.8%	39.3%
Average	51.3	42.6

See also: Party control of Illinois state government

Congressional delegation

The table below displays the partisan composition of Illinois' congressional delegation as of October 2025.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Illinois
Party	U.S. Senate	U.S. House	Total
Democratic	2	14	16
Republican	0	3	3
Independent	0	0	0
Vacancies	0	0	0
Total	2	17	19

State executive

The table below displays the officeholders in Illinois' top four state executive offices as of October 2025.

State executive officials in Illinois, October 2025

Office	Officeholder
Governor	J.B. Pritzker
Lieutenant Governor	Juliana Stratton
Secretary of State	Alexi Giannoulias
Attorney General	Kwame Raoul

State legislature

Illinois State Senate

Party		As of October 2025
	Democratic Party	40
	Republican Party	19
	Other	0
	Vacancies	0
Total		59

Illinois House of Representatives

Party		As of October 2025
	Democratic Party	78
	Republican Party	40
	Other	0
	Vacancies	0
Total		118

Trifecta control

Illinois Party Control: 1992-2025
Nineteen years of Democratic trifectas  •  Two years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25
Governor	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D
Senate	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D
House	D	D	D	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D

The table below details demographic data in Illinois and compares it to the broader United States as of 2023.

Demographic Data for Illinois
	Illinois	United States
Population	12,812,508	331,449,281
Land area (sq mi)	55,512	3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White	63.3%	63.4%
Black/African American	13.8%	12.4%
Asian	5.8%	5.8%
Native American	0.5%	0.9%
Pacific Islander	0.4%	0.4%
Other (single race)	7.3%	6.6%
Multiple	9.2%	10.7%
Hispanic/Latino	18.5%	19%
Education
High school graduation rate	90.3%	89.4%
College graduation rate	37.2%	35%
Income
Median household income	$81,702	$78,538
Persons below poverty level	11.7%	12.4%
Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2020). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2018-2023).
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

Election history

The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2016.

2022

See also: Illinois Comptroller election, 2022

General election

General election for Illinois Comptroller

Incumbent Susana Mendoza defeated Shannon Teresi, Deirdre McCloskey, and Jeffrey English in the general election for Illinois Comptroller on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Susana Mendoza (D)	57.1	2,331,714
		Shannon Teresi (R)	41.0	1,676,637
	Submit photo	Deirdre McCloskey (L)	1.9	76,808
	Submit photo	Jeffrey English (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	25

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,085,184
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Illinois Comptroller

Incumbent Susana Mendoza advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois Comptroller on June 28, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Susana Mendoza	100.0	838,155

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 838,155
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Illinois Comptroller

Shannon Teresi advanced from the Republican primary for Illinois Comptroller on June 28, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Shannon Teresi	100.0	666,835

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 666,835
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Michael Kinney (R)

2018

See also: Illinois Comptroller election, 2018

General election

General election for Illinois Comptroller

Incumbent Susana Mendoza defeated Darlene Senger and Claire Ball in the general election for Illinois Comptroller on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Susana Mendoza (D)	59.9	2,716,853
		Darlene Senger (R)	37.0	1,678,346
		Claire Ball (L)	3.1	140,543
		Other/Write-in votes	0.0	17

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,535,759
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Illinois Comptroller

Incumbent Susana Mendoza advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois Comptroller on March 20, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Susana Mendoza	100.0	1,147,095

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 1,147,095
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Illinois Comptroller

Darlene Senger advanced from the Republican primary for Illinois Comptroller on March 20, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Darlene Senger	100.0	607,187

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 607,187
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: Illinois Comptroller special election, 2016

The general election for comptroller was held on November 8, 2016.

Susana Mendoza defeated Leslie Munger, Claire Ball, and Tim Curtin in the Illinois comptroller election.

Illinois Comptroller, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Susana Mendoza	49.45%	2,676,244
	Republican	Leslie Munger	44.43%	2,404,723
	Libertarian	Claire Ball	3.46%	187,017
	Green	Tim Curtin	2.67%	144,559
Total Votes				5,412,543
Source: Illinois Secretary of State

2026 battleground elections

See also: Battlegrounds

This is a battleground election. Other 2026 battleground elections include:

• Texas' 29th Congressional District election, 2026 (March 3 Democratic primary)
• Arizona Supreme Court elections, 2026
• Michigan's 10th Congressional District election, 2026

External links

• Search Google News for this topic
• Illinois comptroller official website

Footnotes

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