Stratton, Biss win primaries with national attention
Good morning, Chicago. ✶
???? Below: Who won, who lost, what's next: Breaking down the 2026 Illinois primary election results.
????️ Plus: The 2026 Lollapalooza lineup, how a rage room focuses on mental health and more.
???? Keeping score: The Blackhawks lose in overtime to the Wild, 4-3.
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⏱️: An 8-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER ????️
Morning snow with a high near 43.
TODAY’S TOP STORY ????
Juliana Stratton wins Democratic primary to replace Sen. Dick Durbin
By Tina Sfondeles, Mary Norkol and Amy Yee
JB's support: Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won the competitive Democratic primary race to replace U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin on the heels of a late campaign surge and millions in support from longtime running mate Gov. JB Pritzker. Illinois will see its fourth Black senator if Stratton wins the reliably blue seat in November. She would also become the sixth Black woman to serve in the U.S. Senate.
Beat out ads: Stratton’s momentum was enough to overcome an astounding $29 million that Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi spent on campaign ads. It began with a commanding debate performance in January and was amplified by advertising in the final weeks of the campaign. As polls showed a closer race, super PACs began to try to help Krishnamoorthi. The congressman’s loss also shows how effective campaign ads are nine months ahead of Election Day.
Dems' messaging: The race also was a test for national Democrats on anti-ICE messaging, especially in the Chicago area, where residents were affected by the Trump administration’s Operation Midway Blitz last year. Stratton was the lone candidate to support completely abolishing ICE, offering a more progressive stance for voters.
ELECTIONS ????️
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss wins Illinois’ 9th District Democratic House primary
By Jon Seidel, Sarah Karp, Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco and Abby Miller
Besting the crowd: Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss emerged victorious Tuesday in his bid to replace U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, fending off a crowded field to secure the Democratic nomination for the 9th District Congressional seat, long held by his party in Congress. It’s the first time the seat has opened up since 1999. Biss will likely face pastor John Elleson in the November general election.
Electoral mathlete: Biss is a former mathematician, state representative and state senator who was elected Evanston mayor in 2021. He ran for governor in 2018 and landed a distant second behind now-Gov. Pritzker. As mayor, he enacted an ordinance to curb carbon emissions and came up with a comprehensive housing plan for the north suburb.
Home turf: Biss beat out ex-journalist and progressive insurgent Kat Abughazaleh and state Sen. Laura Fine, D-Glenview. The district includes several North Side neighborhoods including Uptown, Edgewater, Andersonville and Rogers Park; and several north and northwestern suburbs like Evanston, Skokie, Glenview, Algonquin, Prospect Heights and Fox River Grove.
ELECTIONS ????️
Other key race results from the 2026 Illinois Primary Election
By Kaitlin Washburn, Mariah Rush, Sophie Sherry, Chip Mitchell, David Struett, Somer Van Benton, Mitchell Armentrout, Matt Trunfio, Kade Heather, Kristen Schorsch, Kyra Senese, Violet Miller and Nicole Jeanine Johnson
- IL-02: Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller fended off Jesse Jackson Jr.'s attempt at a political comeback, topping a crowded race.
- IL-07: State Rep. La Shawn Ford, the handpicked successor for retiring congressman Danny Davis, defeated 12 other candidates.
- IL-08: Former U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean coasted to victory, a step toward reclaiming the congressional seat she lost 16 years ago.
- GOP governor: Darren Bailey, who celebrated his 60th birthday and his primary win on the same day, extended a hand to the city he famously called a "hellhole" in his 2022 attempt.
- State comptroller: With about 90% of votes in, state Rep. Margaret Croke declared victory over three opponents in the Democratic primary.
- Preckwinkle persists: After handily defeating Ald. Brendan Reilly, the Cook County Board President now heads to the general election in November, where she’s likely to win her fifth term.
- Kaegi concedes: Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi, who held the office for two terms and spent 20 years as a mutual fund portfolio manager and analyst before that, conceded to challenger Pat Hynes.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED ????️
Members of the Chicago Fire Department salute as the procession for firefighter Michael Altman, who died from his injuries after helping put out a fire in Rogers Park on Monday, passes by on the way to the Cook County medical examiner’s office on the West Side, Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
- Firefighter dies: Michael Altman responded to a fire Monday at a four-flat in Rogers Park. Then the floor collapsed and he fell into the flames. Altman, 32, suffered extensive injuries and died Tuesday morning, according to the Chicago Fire Department and the medical examiner’s office.
- CHA CEO: The Chicago Housing Authority, which has gone without a CEO for 16 months, on Tuesday appointed Keith Pettigrew over mayoral favorite retired Ald. Walter Burnett.
- Homeless encampment: The city has promised to offer long-term housing, but some advocates voiced doubts about the plan to move roughly 20 residents from the Legion Park tent city Tuesday.
- Star power: Tickets for the 2026 Chicago Humanities Fest go on sale Thursday for discussions and appearances by Rick Steves, Padma Lakshmi, Xochitl Gonzalez, Michael Pollan and more.
- Wait for it: "Hamilton" debuted more than a decade ago. As it returns to Chicago, does its portrait of early America hold up?
- Home cooking: At Old School, a Middle Eastern restaurant in Palos Hills specializing in lamb, owner and chef Mohd Mahd can prepare up to 600 meals during the holy month of Ramadan, which ends Thursday.
MUSIC ????
By Morgan Ciocca | Vocalo
Topping the bill: The four-day event runs July 30-Aug. 2 in Grant Park. Other notable acts include New York rockers Geese, R&B artist Leon Thomas, rapper Freddie Gibbs, singer-songwriter Sombr, pop vocalist Zara Larsson, British indie rockers Wet Leg and K-pop band Aespa. JADE, 54 Ultra, Empire of the Sun, Yungblud and María Zardoya’s Not for Radio are also in the lineup.
Get your tickets: Ticket presales start 10 a.m. Thursday. Four-day general admission will be $399, with general admission plus starting at $735 for a four-day pass. VIP tickets begin at $1,599. Children ages 8 and younger get in free with an adult.
Going strong: This will be the 22nd iteration of the festival and the fourth since former Mayor Lori Lightfoot inked a 10-year deal with organizers. Last year’s fest drew about 400,000 attendees. Hotel occupancy rates in 2025 surpassed 2019 pre-COVID rates, according to Choose Chicago, the city’s tourism arm.
FROM THE PRESS BOX ⚾️????⚽️
- Knee trouble resolved?: Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki will return to spring workouts after injuring his knee Saturday on an attempted steal of second base for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic.
- Season-ending surgery: The White Sox’ Mike Vasil needs Tommy John surgery and will miss the season, the team announced Tuesday.
- Spring renewal: The Bulls' Rob Dillingham is feeling and playing like a new man after his move last month from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- Beating point total: The Blackhawks earned their 62nd point of the season Tuesday night, surpassing their total from last season with 15 games left.
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD ????
Today's clue: 1D: ???? Chicago music legend ___ Guy, who performed at the Oscars on Sunday
BRIGHT ONE ????
Hit a breaking point? Chicago Heights ‘rage room’ lets visitors smash plates, printers for a fee
By Mariah Rush
Safe space: Rage rooms, places that visitors can rent to destroy easily breakable items with equipment like baseball bats and hammers, have been popular for more than a decade. The idea is to release stress, anger or other difficult emotions by trashing everything in sight.
Let it go: Breaking Point, 191 W. Joe Orr Road in Chicago Heights, strictly offers rage rooms. Its new 1,800-square-foot space has three of them. Visitors are provided safety gear and can break about 20 items; they may bring their own items, too. Screaming is also encouraged.
Underserved ragers: Unlike most rage room businesses, mental health is at the forefront. Owner Melody Billups is looking to partner with therapists. "Our first client, when she came in and looked at me and she said, 'I trust you,' I said, 'That‘s something we need in Black and Brown communities, to feel safe,'" Billups said.
YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️
Yesterday, we asked you: What's your favorite hot drink to keep you cozy when it's cold out? Bonus if you have a recipe!
Here’s some of what you said…
"'Culinary Moment' — Apple Cider with two shots of bourbon." — Valerie E. Dudley
"Warmed sake in a coffee mug does wonders on a cold night... not too heavy and not calorie-laden. Enjoy!" — Christine Bock
"Hot green tea with a healthy dash of Polish Krupnik." — Dave Kraft
"Mug of cream of tomato soup with a shot of vodka." — Linda Stern
"I take a cup of chicken broth and sip it like wine." — Terrence Camodeca
PICTURE CHICAGO ????
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Written and curated by: Esther Bergdahl and Phyllis Cha
Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia
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