U.S. Capitol
The U.S. Capitol is seen at sunset on Capitol Hill in Washington, Sept. 8, 2022. Democrats have held both chambers of Congress and the presidency for two years. But they may not have such consolidated power for much longer. Republicans could make big gains in the Nov. 8 midterm elections. Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press

Illinois Election 2022: The U.S. Senate and House

A rundown of where you can read up on Illinois’ general election, from WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times.

The U.S. Capitol is seen at sunset on Capitol Hill in Washington, Sept. 8, 2022. Democrats have held both chambers of Congress and the presidency for two years. But they may not have such consolidated power for much longer. Republicans could make big gains in the Nov. 8 midterm elections. Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press
By WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times staff
U.S. Capitol
The U.S. Capitol is seen at sunset on Capitol Hill in Washington, Sept. 8, 2022. Democrats have held both chambers of Congress and the presidency for two years. But they may not have such consolidated power for much longer. Republicans could make big gains in the Nov. 8 midterm elections. Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press

Illinois Election 2022: The U.S. Senate and House

A rundown of where you can read up on Illinois’ general election, from WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times.

By WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times staff
WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

We’re continuing our look at some of the biggest, most competitive races on Illinois’ midterm ballot by focusing today on who will be representing the state in Washington, D.C.

Illinois General Election graphic

U.S. Senate

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth is running for a second term against Republican challenger Kathy Salvi and Libertarian Bill Redpath. The race hasn’t been as high-profile as other U.S. Senate races throughout the country, perhaps because Salvi’s fundraising hasn’t taken off while Duckworth still has more than $7 million in her campaign fund. But Democrats need to win seats like Illinois’ if they want to maintain their majority in Washington.

On the issues, Duckworth and Salvi have criticized the other’s position on abortion access and gun control, as WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos reports.

U.S. House

Illinois will hold 17 of the 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, most of which are currently occupied by Democrats. So could any seats flip? We’re watching a few competitive races in Chicago’s suburbs.

In the 11th Congressional district — which includes parts of Naperville, Aurora, and Woodstock — incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Bill Foster said he believes even moderate Republicans may vote for him because of his stance in wanting to protect abortion rights.

His challenger — an appointee of former President Donald Trump named Catalina Lauf — is pushing a “law and order” agenda and says she wants to “get Critical Race Theory out” of classrooms.

Over in the 14th district — which includes Joliet, DeKalb and Ottawa — Democrat U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood is facing Republican Scott Gryder, a three-term Kendall County Commissioner, who says he’s fighting to curb Democratic spending. Underwood is touting her passage of the CARES Act and American Rescue Plan — pandemic relief packages that pumped trillions in spending into the economy — and the Inflation Reduction Act as major achievements in her two terms in Congress.

WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel and the Chicago Sun-Times’ Andy Grimm further explore how the races for congress are playing out in Chicago’s suburbs.

Also in play are some districts that stretch across the more rural parts of Illinois — including a newly-drawn district that covers Springfield and one that in-part covers Rockford.

A Guide to Illinois’ 2022 Elections

  • The biggest races: The politics teams at WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times explain the races and ballot initiatives that matter. Get expert analysis of the important races in our voter guide.

  • Who’s on the ballot? Enter your home address into this tool and it will filter the Chicago Sun-Times’ candidate guide to show who will appear on your ballot in Cook County, and some of your choices in Lake, DuPage, Will and Kane counties.

  • How to vote: It’s not too late to register. Find out how — plus, tips on early voting, vote by mail and day-of logistics for the metro Chicago area — with WBEZ’s walkthrough of your options.