Four Illinois State Legislative races to watch on Election Day

Voters going to the polls Tuesday will cast ballots in dozens of Illinois State Senate and Representative races, including several hotly contested races in Chicago districts.

The outcome isn’t expected to lead to a shift in the power balance in Springfield, but two state senate races to watch feature long-time incumbents facing challenges. In local races to keep an eye on for the Illinois House, four candidates on the North Side are vying for an open seat.

There are 118 members of the Illinois House and 59 members of the Illinois Senate. Democrats make up 78 of the House seats and 40 senate seats, giving them a strong majority in both chambers. Because Democrats are so dominant, a primary win in many seats is tantamount to a win in November’s general election.

All state reps serve two-year terms so all seats are up this year. Senators serve four- or two-year terms and their races are staggered, with 39 seats up this year.

14th Senate District

In the 14th Senate District, covering the South Side and several south suburbs, Emil Jones III is looking to complete his resurgence after the incumbent’s prospects looked grim last year. In April, Jones faced a trial on federal charges alleging that he took bribes and lied to federal authorities. Gov. JB Pritzker asked for his resignation and it looked like Jones’ political career was over.

But the jury couldn’t reach a verdict, resulting in a mistrial. In December, Jones announced that he had reached an agreement with federal prosecutors that kept him out of prison. After that, he received endorsements from large labor unions, including the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

Now he seems poised to beat his two primary opponents. Jones has held the seat since his powerful father, former Senate President Emil Jones Jr, announced his retirement in 2008, leaving it behind for his son to take over.

Challenging Jones is Ahmed Karrar, a lawyer and political newcomer, and Kenny Williams, a small business owner who has previously run for other offices. Karrar’s priorities include championing a graduated income tax “so the wealthiest pay their fair share,” according to his website.

Williams told the Sun-Times his priorities for the district include “public safety, economic opportunity and community investments.”

On the Republican side, Crestwood Village trustee Brian Skala is running unopposed.

6th Senate District

The only other incumbent senator facing a challenge is on the North Side, where Sara Feigenholtz is trying to fend off first-time candidate Nick Uniejewski in the 6th District. The area includes the lakefront communities of Lake View, Lincoln Park and the Near Side North. Feigenholtz was selected to represent the district in 2020 after a 25-year career in the Illinois House.

Uniejewski most recently worked as a policy analyst for the city, according to this LinkedIn profile. Both candidates put transit at or near the top of their list of pressing issues. Feigenholtz touts her long record in the state Legislature, while Uniejewski is running on a message of change.

Uniejewski relied on volunteers and social media to try and bridge the gap between fundraising efforts. Feigenholtz had $1.2 million at year’s end and, as of Friday, had reported raising another $307,000 in donations over $1,000 since January. That compares with $41,000 raised for Uniejewski.

40th House District

In the Illinois House, incumbent Rep. Jaime Andrade Jr. and community organizer Miguel Alvelo Rivera face off in the 40th District, which includes a stretch of the Northwest Side from Bucktown to Albany Park.

Rivera has won some endorsement from some local elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, whose district includes part of Andrade’s district, and Alds. Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez (33rd) and Anthony Quezada (35th). Rivera is running as a progressive outsider, while Andrade said he has a track record with voters.

The race grew contentious after Andrade’s campaign attempted to paint Alvelo Rivera as a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement supporter in mailers. Alvelo Rivera said that claim was false, and Ramirez called for Andrade to apologize.

Andrade’s fundraising has surged since January with big support from Illinois Democrats. His campaign has brought in nearly $1 million in donations over $1,000, on top of the $147,000 he had as of Dec. 31. Alvelo Rivera lags far behind but $232,000 has poured in since January, mostly from the Chicago Teachers Union political action committee along with the Illinois Federation of Teachers PAC.

12th House District

In the 12th House District, which covers the Near North Side to Belmont Harbor, four candidates want to replace the seat left by Margaret Croke, who is running for state comptroller: Paul Kendrick, Litcy Kurisinkal, Karim Lakhani and Mac LeBuhn.

Kendrick received Croke’s endorsement and has raised $180,000 since January after ending the year with $176,000. But that is second to Karim Lakhani, who reported nearly $426,000 at the end of December. He has raised another $151,000 since January. In third was LeBuhn with about $180,000 raised through Friday and Kurisinkal trailing behind with $75,000.

Justin Kumar, CEO of a holding company that works in real estate, venture capital and consulting, is the lone candidate in the Republican primary.