Your guide to the March 2026 primary in the Illinois Valley

This St. Patrick’s Day, La Salle, Bureau and Putnam county voters can head to the polls in addition to sampling a green beer.

March 17 marks the 2026 primary, where voters can pull a Democratic or Republican ballot to pick who appears on the ballot come November. All voters, partisan or not, can weigh in on referendum questions.

The deadline for candidates to file was Nov. 3.

Who has filed and how can I learn more about them?

Illinois governor and lieutenant governor: Incumbent JB Pritzker, a Democrat, has filed to run for reelection. He has named Christian Mitchell as his running mate after Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton announced her intention to run for the U.S. Senate.

Conservative research group Wirepoints president Ted Dabrowski, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, former state Sen. Darren Bailey and Gold Rush Gaming owner Rick Heidner of Barrington Hills have filed as Republicans.

The only other Democrat to file, Patricia L. Tillman of Chicago, was removed from the ballot following a successful objection as was Republicans Gregg Moore of Broadview and Joseph Severino of Lake Forest. Republican Max Solomon of Hazel Crest withdrew his candidacy.

Illinois attorney general: Incumbent Kwame Raoul, a Democrat, has filed to run for another term. Former Chicago alderman Bob Fioretti has filed to run as a Republican.

Republican Andy Williams Jr. of Darien was removed from the ballot following a successful objection and JoAnne Guillemette of Chicago withdrew after an objection was filed.

Andy Williams Jr.’s candidate questionnaire.

Illinois secretary of state: Alexi Giannoulias, an incumbent Democrat, has filed to run for reelection. Walter Adamczyk of Chicago and Joliet Junior College Trustee Diane M. Harris filed to run as Republicans.

Walter Adamczyk’s candidate questionnaire.
Diane Harris’ candidate questionnaire.

Illinois comptroller: Incumbent Susana Mendoza, a Democrat, is not running again. State Sen. Karina Villa of West Chicago, Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim of Mundelein, state Rep. Margaret Croke of Chicago and state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit of Oswego have filed to run as Democrats and and Bryan Drew of Benton as a Republican.

Champaign County Auditor George Danos, a Democrat, was removed from the ballot following a successful objection.

Holly Kim’s candidate questionnaire.
Margaret Croke’s candidate questionnaire.
Stephanie Kifowit’s candidate questionnaire.
Coverage: “4 Democrats seeking to replace Mendoza as Illinois comptroller”
Coverage: “Democratic comptroller candidates make push for why they’re voters’ best option”

Illinois treasurer: Incumbent Michael Frerichs, a Democrat, has filed to run for a fourth term.

U.S. Senate: Incumbent Dick Durbin, a Democrat, is not seeking reelection.

Casey Chlebek, former Illinois Republican Party Chair Don Tracy, R. Cary Capparelli of Chicago, Pamela Denise Long of Edwardsville, Jimmy Lee Tillman II of Chicago, John Goodman of Des Plaines and Jeannie Evans of Chicago have filed to run as Republicans.

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton of Chicago, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, Kevin Ryan of Chicago, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Lynwood, Steve Botsford Jr. of Chicago, Jonathan Dean of Chicago, Sean Brown of Orland Park, Bryan Maxwell of Urbana, Awisi A. Bustos of Springfield and Christopher A. Swann of Chicago as Democrats. Independents Tyrone Muhammad and Austin J. Mink have also said they are running.

Democrats Adam Delgado of Chicago, Anthony Williams of Dolton and Jump Shepherd of North Riverside were removed from the ballot following successful objections as was CaSándra Claiborne of Chicago. Democrat Robert Palmer of Chicago and Republican John Goodman of Des Plaines withdrew as candidates.

Don Tracy’s candidate questionnaire.
R. Cary Capparelli’s candidate questionnaire.
Pamela Denise Long’s candidate questionnaire.
Raja Krishnamoorthi’s candidate questionnaire.
Robin Kelly’s candidate questionnaire.
Steve Botsford Jr.’s candidate questionnaire.
Jonathan Dean’s candidate questionnaire.
Bryan Maxwell’s candidate questionnaire.
Coverage: “Democratic Senate candidates clash on donations, opine on extraterrestrial controversy"
Coverage: “GOP Senate candidates offer contrasting solutions to rising costs and economic challenges”
Coverage: “Ukraine support key for GOP Senate candidates despite cost concerns”
Coverage: “Illinois GOP Senate candidates take stage in first major debate”

U.S. House of Representatives: All 17 members of Congress representing Illinois are up in 2026. To find what district you live in, go to congress.gov/members/find-your-member.

District 14: Lauren Underwood, a Democrat representing parts of Bureau, DeKalb, Kane, Kendall, La Salle, Putnam and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Gary Vician of Naperville and James T. “Jim” Marter of Oswego have filed to run as Republicans.

Jim Marter’s candidate questionnaire.
Coverage: “14th District GOP candidates say curbing government spending, overreach are top issues”

District 16: Darin LaHood, a Republican representing Boone, Bureau, DeKalb, Grundy, La Salle, Lee, Livingston, McHenry, Ogle and Putnam counties in addition to other counties in north-central Illinois, has filed to run for reelection. Paul Nolley of Roscoe has filed to run as a Democrat. Republican John Kitover of Chicago was removed from the ballot following a successful objection.

Illinois State Senate: Like its federal counterpart, only some of its members are up for reelection this year. In the Illinois Valley, that includes:

District 38: Sue Rezin, a Republican representing Bureau, DeKalb, Grundy, Kendall, La Salle and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Ernie R. Marcelain of Yorkville has filed to run as a Democrat.

Ernie Marcelain’s candidate questionnaire.

District 53: Chris Balkema, a Republican representing Bureau, Grundy, La Salle, Livingston, Putnam and Will counties, among others, has filed to run again.

Illinois House of Representatives: All state representative seats are up every two years. Among the races in the Illinois Valley are:

District 73: Ryan Spain, a Republican representing Bureau, Henry, Lee and Whiteside, among other counties, has filed to run for reelection. Nicole Dopler of Rapids City has filed to run as a Democrat.
District 74: Bradley Fritts, a Republican representing DeKalb, La Salle, Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties, has filed to run for reelection. Nolan Kemp of Dixon has filed to run as a Democrat.

Nolan Kemp’s candidate questionnaire.

District 75: Jed Davis, a Republican representing DeKalb, Grundy, Kendall, La Salle and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Caroline McCree of Yorkville has filed to run as a Democrat.

Caroline McCree’s candidate questionnaire.

District 76: Amy “Murri” Briel, a Democrat representing Bureau, DeKalb and La Salle counties, has filed to run for reelection. Crystal Loughran of Peru and Liz Bishop of La Salle have filed to run as a Republican.

Amy “Murri” Briel’s candidate questionnaire.
Crystal Loughran’s candidate questionnaire.
Liz Bishop’s candidate questionnaire.

District 105: Dennis Tipsword, a Republican representing Bureau, La Salle, Livingston and Putnam, among other counties, is not running for reelection. Tim Ruestman of Kappa has filed to run as a Republican. Lisa Diana Tejeda, a Democrat from Lowpoint, was removed from the ballot following a successful objection.
District 106: Jason R. Bunting, a Republican representing Grundy, La Salle, Livingston and Will, among other counties, has filed to run for reelection.

County-level races: Also on the ballot will be County Board members, county clerks, treasurers, sheriffs, assessors, and regional superintendents. Some counties also elect their Boards of Review, sanitary districts, and forest preserve district commissioners and president.

La Salle County Clerk: Charlie E. Mitchell is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination and incumbent Jennifer Ebner is running unopposed for the Republican.
La Salle County Sheriff: Incumbent Adam C. Diss is running unopposed for the Republican nomination. No Democratic candidates filed.
La Salle County Treasurer: Incumbent James L. Spelich is running unopposed for the Republican nomination. No Democratic candidates filed.
Regional Superintendent of Schools for La Salle, Marshall and Putnam counties: Ryan F. Myers filed to run as a Democrat.
La Salle County Board: No La Salle County Board races are contested in the primary. On the Democratic side, candidates filed in Districts 12 (Incumbent Jill Bernal), 15 (Incumbent David Torres), 16 (Mark William Hill), 20 (Incumbent Pat Walsh), 21 (Incumbent Brian Dose) and 29 (Morgan Phillips). On the Republican side, candidates filed in 5 (Incumbent Catherine Owens), 8 (Incumbent Douglas L. Stockley), 9 (Incumbent Raymond F. Gatza), 16 (Incumbent William “Bill” Brown), 22 (Incumbent Stephen Aubry), 23 (Incumbent Michael A. McEmery Sr.), 26 (Incumbent Nancy Eurich) and 29 (Incumbent Tina Busch). Incumbent James W. Reid is seeking an unexpired two-year term in District 4, and Glen Pratt filed as a write-in candidate in District 10 on the Republican ballot. Districts 3 and 14 have no candidates from either party.
Bureau County Clerk: Incumbent Matthew S. Eggers is running unopposed for the Republican nomination. No Democratic candidates filed.
Bureau County Treasurer: Incumbent Joseph R. Birkey is running unopposed for the Republican nomination. No Democratic candidates filed.
Bureau County Sheriff: James Reed will not seek reelection in 2026. Princeton Police Chief Tom Kammerer, LaMoille’s Chief of Police, Joseph Flanagan, Edward Jauch, a former Spring Valley officer and Michael Wittig, a Bureau County patrol officer, are all vying for the position.

Tom Kammerer’s candidate questionnaire.
Joseph Flanagan’s candidate questionnaire.
Edward Jauch’s candidate questionnaire.
Michael Wittig’s candidate questionnaire.
Coverage: “Four candidates vie for Bureau County sheriff in community forum”
Coverage: “Bureau County Sheriff candidates unite on problem, divide on solutions”
Coverage: “Bureau County Sheriff candidates outline priorities at Princeton forum”
Coverage: “Bureau County Sheriff candidates split on role of immigration enforcement"

Bureau County Board: No Bureau County Board races are contested in the primary. On the Democratic side, candidates filed in Districts 10 (incumbent John Baracani), 11 (Chad Harrison) and 12 (Cheryl Lipka). Incumbent Bradley Bonnell filed for an unexpired two-year term in District 2. On the Republican side, candidates filed in Districts 6 (incumbent Derek Whited), 7 (incumbent Marsha A. Lilley), 9 (incumbent Keith L. Cain), 14 (incumbent Kerwin G. Paris) and 18 (incumbent Lizabeth Novotny). District 15 has no candidates on either ballot.
Regional Superintendent of Schools for Bureau, Henry and Stark counties: Kathy Marshall of Colona has filed to run as a Republican.
Putnam County Clerk and Recorder: Incumbent Tina Dolder is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination. No Republican candidates filed.
Putnam County Treasurer: Incumbent Kevin E. Kunkel is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination. No Republican candidates filed.
Putnam County Sheriff: Incumbent Joshua B. Boedigheimer is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination. No Republican candidates filed.
Putnam County Board: No Putnam County Board races are contested in the primary. Democratic candidates Anthony “Tony” Rue Jr., Luke D. Holly and Charles Lenkaitis, all incumbents, are running unopposed for the three at-large seats. No Republican candidates filed.

What judicial races will I get to vote on?

Three vacancies are up at the Illinois appellate court level, according to an Illinois State Board of Elections list as of Sept. 3. Voters will get to vote on retentions in November.

The appellate vacancies include a seat on the Third Appellate District. The district sits in Ottawa and includes Bureau, La Salle, DuPage, Will, Grundy, Kankakee, and Iroquois counties. Margaret “Peggy” O’Connell of Lisle and John Pavich of Frankfort has filed to run as Democrats and Jason A. Helland of Mazon and Mark Senak of Glen Ellyn has filed as Republicans.

Margaret O’Connell’s candidate questionnaire.
John Pavich’s candidate question.

Also up is a vacancy in the 13th Circuit for one at-large member. The circuit includes La Salle, Grundy and Bureau counties. Melissa Olivero of Peru filed as a Democrat and Michelle A. Vescogni of Peru as a Republican for the vacancy.

What referendums are on the ballot?

Leonore Rural Fire Protection District — Creation Proposition: Pulls votes from La Salle County only.

LaMoille School District 303 — Non-Binding Question to Deactivate High School: Pulls votes from Bureau and Lee counties.

Tiskilwa Rural Fire Protection District — Special Tax Levy: Pulls votes from Bureau and Putnam counties.

Sheffield Fire Protection District — Increase Corporate Tax Rate: Pulls votes from Bureau County.

Sheffield Fire Protection District — Special Tax for Ambulance Service: Pulls votes from Bureau County.

Sheffield Fire Protection District — Special Tax for Emergency and Rescue Crews and Equipment: Pulls votes from Bureau County.

Important Dates

Oct. 27 to Nov. 3, 2025: Candidates in established parties can file the necessary documents either at the Springfield office for state-level candidates or at the County Clerk’s Office in the county where they’re running.

Among the paperwork required is a statement of candidacy and petitions signed by registered voters. The number of signatures required varies by office.

Nov. 10: Last day for objections challenging whether candidates can appear on the ballot to be filed.

Nov. 17 to 24: Filing period for candidates seeking to fill judicial vacancies.

Dec. 3: Deadline to file objections in judicial vacancy races.

Dec. 15: Deadline to file petitions for referendums to appear on the March ballot. This does not include referendum questions authorized by local governments, just ones submitted through voter-signed petitions.

Dec. 17: First day to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot.

Dec. 22: Deadline to file objections on referendum questions.

Dec. 29: Deadline for local government boards – like school boards and city councils – to adopt a resolution or ordinance for a binding referendum.

Jan. 8, 2026: Last day for a candidate to withdraw from the race.

Jan. 15: Last day for a candidate to file as a write-in.

Feb. 5: Early voting starts and county clerks begin mailing vote-by-mail ballots.

March 1: Last day to register to vote online through the State Board of Elections’ website. Grace period registration and voting continues through Election Day.

March 17: Election Day for the 2026 primary. Polls close at 7 p.m. Voters can request a partisan ballot with either Democratic or Republican candidates listed or a non-partisan ballot, which includes any referendums.