Primary Election in Illinois: Focus on Down-Ballot Contests and Progressive Movement

Progressive Movement Faces Crucial Test in Illinois Primary Election

As the presidential nominations of Joe Biden and Donald Trump are already set, the focus of Tuesday’s primary election in Illinois shifts to down-ballot contests that could shape the future of the progressive movement in the Chicago area.

With races and issues across the ballot, voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on the direction of progressivism nearly a year after Brandon Johnson’s election as Chicago’s mayor and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s decision not to seek reelection.

The Democratic primary will serve as a litmus test for the progressive movement, with candidates like Clayton Harris III and Eileen O’Neill Burke vying for the open-seat state’s attorney’s office. The race will determine whether voters believe progressivism has gone too far or not far enough, especially in light of concerns about crime and immigration.

O’Neill Burke, a retired appellate judge, has criticized Harris for representing “politics as usual” and continuing policies that she believes have failed to address the surge in crime during the pandemic. On the other hand, Harris has highlighted his personal story and commitment to progressive values, including endorsements from key champions of worker and abortion rights.

The primary also includes other key races, such as the contest for the Cook County Board seat vacated by Brandon Johnson and the battle for a full term on the Illinois Supreme Court between Joy Cunningham and Jesse Reyes.

In addition, longtime congressmen like Danny Davis and Bill Foster are facing challenges from progressive candidates, reflecting the ongoing push for change within the Democratic Party.

Overall, the primary election in Illinois will serve as a crucial moment for the progressive movement, with the outcomes of these races shaping the future of politics in the Chicago area and beyond.