Complete coverage of the local and national primary and general election, including results, analysis and voter resources to keep Chicago voters informed.
Illinois
In the Illinois 6th congressional district Democratic primary, the war in Gaza emerges as a focal point
WASHINGTON — Flush with political cash, Rep. Sean Casten faces rivals running shoestring campaigns in his bid for a fourth term in the Chicago area’s 6th congressional district.
His opponents in the March 19 Democratic primary: Mahnoor Ahmad, a public health administrator who is running for the first time, and Charles Hughes, who has made several unsuccessful runs for elected office.
The 6th district includes precincts in a handful of Southwest Side wards but is mainly suburban, and includes most of Bridgeview, Palos Hills and other areas that make up what is called “Little Palestine” because of the large numbers of Palestinian and Palestinian-American residents.
How the U.S. is and should be responding to the Israel-Hamas war — which under Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spawned a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where Hamas holds Israeli hostages — has emerged as an issue in the 6th District’s March 19 primary.
With new district boundaries drawn following the 2020 Census, Casten faced off with another incumbent, now ex-Rep. Marie Newman from La Grange in the 2022 Democratic primary, defeating her 68% to 29% with Hughes getting 3%. In the general election, Republican Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau lost to Casten by almost nine points. Casten beat GOP former state Rep. Jeanne Ives from Wheaton by seven points in 2020.
Those back-to-back Republican losses discouraged established Republicans from running in 2024. Niki Conforti, from Glen Ellyn, who lost her GOP primary bid for the seat in 2022, is the only Republican on the 2024 ballot. The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter ranks this seat safe for Democrats in 2024, so the winner of the primary is almost certain to clinch in November.
The candidates
Casten, 52, born in Dublin, Ireland, lives in Downers Grove. He is a member of the Financial Services and Science, Space, and Technology Committees. The environment and fighting climate change have been his signature issues since first running for the seat in 2018. Before coming to Congress, Casten worked in the clean energy industry.
A major Casten initiative right now is a bill he introduced in December titled the “Clean Electricity and Transmission Acceleration Act of 2023.” The bill states that its goal is to “speed up the deployment of electricity transmission and clean energy, with proper input from affected communities,” in order to improve electricity transmission nationally.
In January, 2023, Casten launched a long-shot crusade to increase the size of the House and Senate and revamp the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under a package of bills he named “A Common Sense Vision for American Democracy.”
Casten’s Jan. 31 campaign fund cash-on-hand balance reported to the Federal Election Commission was $1,041,501.47.
Ahmad, 32, born in Quetta, Pakistan, lives in Oakbrook Terrace. For most of her career in health care, she said she worked in Gary, Ind., at Northwest Health, an Indiana network of medical providers, where she rose through the ranks to become a public health administrator at the organization.
A reason she is running, she said, is to provide more funding to research health equity, specifically, the “social determinants” of health, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “encompasses economic and social conditions that influence the health of people and communities.”
“I wanted to focus mainly on the social determinant factors that ultimately determine your health for the rest of your life,” Ahmad said in an interview.
She faulted Casten for voting against the Patient Advocate Tracker Act which passed the House with 411 votes in May 2022, and creates an online portal where veterans can track the status of formal complaints they file through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Lisa McClain, a Michigan Republican who voted to overturn the election results on Jan. 6, 2021. In 2021 and 2022, Casten, as a symbolic protest, voted no on any bill sponsored by a member who refused to certify Joe Biden’s election.
House candidates are required to file with the House Clerk a personal financial disclosure report if $5,000 has been raised or spent for a campaign. Ahmad has not filed a disclosure, saying she was not aware of this requirement.
Ahmad’s Jan. 31 campaign fund cash-on-hand balance was $4,146.59.
Hughes, 60, was born in Chicago and is an operations technician with Nicor Gas. A Southwest Side resident, Hughes does not live in the 6th district. Candidates for Congress are not required to reside in the district they are running from.
Hughes came up in politics as part of the old 23rd Ward Democratic organization, when former Rep. Bill Lipinski was the committeeman. Hughes had a series of city jobs in the 1990s. He ran for alderman but got knocked off the ballot, and also ran for committeeman. He waged unsuccessful bids for Congress in 2018 and 2022. Hughes did not file the required disclosure with the House Clerk.
Hughes Jan. 31 campaign fund cash-on-hand balance was $9.39.
Primary reflects Democratic splits over Israel-Hamas war
Divides among Democrats have developed over the Israel-Hamas war, and they are reflected in the primary, where Ahmad is among the pro-Palestinian Democrats who are strong critics of Biden’s stance towards Israel. They say the Biden administration is not doing enough to pressure Netanyahu to agree to a cease-fire.
Pro-Palestinian activists have demonstrated at Casten’s office and home, demanding that he call for a cease-fire.
Following the Hamas attacks in Israel on Oct. 7, Israel launched military strikes in Gaza to root out Hamas and rescue the hostages. However, Israel’s relentless assaults on Gaza to destroy Hamas tunnels which shield their fighters has resulted in a soaring number of civilian deaths, massive destruction and displacement of more than a million people.
Ending the horrific violence in Gaza needs the agreement of two parties — Hamas and the government of Israel, led by Netanyahu.
“I think ultimately, right now we need to call for a cease-fire because we can’t bomb our way to peace,” Ahmad said.
Casten drew 2,800 people to a tele-town hall devoted to the Israel-Hamas war in November. He also took questions on the war during December and January tele-town halls.
He said in an interview that since the war began, he has personally done more than 20 meetings with groups wanting to talk to him about Gaza.
Casten said, “we’ve been very clear that we share the goals to have peace in the region that is lasting and durable and as immediate as possible.”
He is among those who have “real concerns with the way that Netanyahu and his administration …have been prosecuting this war. …If Netanyahu was as committed to getting humanitarian aid to people in need as he is to killing people, that would be very helpful…We’re all searching for a way to stop the violence quickly.”
The House on Feb. 6 rejected a GOP-drafted bill to provide Israel with another round of military aid; it contained no humanitarian assistance desperately needed for civilians in Gaza.
Casten was among the no votes. “I voted against Israel for the first time in my congressional career.”
Ahmad was interviewed on Feb. 6, a few hours before the House took up that Israel aid measure. She was asked how she would vote on the bill since the Israel-Hamas war is one of her key issues. Ahmad had no answer because she said she was not aware of the bill.
Illinois
Illinois Democrats face backlash after blaming Trump in Chicago cross-burning case | Fox News Video
‘Outnumbered’ reacts to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson blaming President Donald Trump for a cross-burning incident in Grant Park.
Illinois Democratic leaders Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson are slammed for weaponizing a Chicago cross burning incident by blaming former President Trump. Despite the suspect, Murlin Lue, admitting his motive was to protest Trump, not racism, Pritzker and Johnson doubled down. Critics, including Illinois GOP State Rep. Chris Miller, accuse them of playing politics and fostering division rather than seeking truth.
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – November ballots will feature a repeat of top billing in the race for governor. Illinoisans can once again choose between Governor JB Pritzker or Darren Bailey to lead the Land of Lincoln.
But beside their spots, new names will appear for voters.
The Democratic and Republican candidates for governor picked new running mates for their rematch. With Lieutenant Governor Julianna Stratton running for U.S. Senate, Pritzker picked Christian Mitchell to join his ticket. On the Republican side, Aaron Del Mar joins Bailey, who previously ran with Stephanie Trussell in 2022.
Mitchell and Del Mar spoke Thursday with WIFR on what inspires them to run, their campaign priorities and ideas to improve the Rockford region.
Backgrounds
Starting with the Democratic ticket, Mitchell joins the race as a former state representative from Chicago as well as a deputy governor with the Pritzker administration.
“Before anything else, I’m Debbie’s son, and I’m James’s grandson,” Mitchell introduced. “They’re the ones who really instilled in me the value of hard work and made sure that I was going to have a very bright future.”
Mitchell sees the role of lieutenant governor as a partner to the state’s executive.
“I’m really lucky to be running with somebody who I respect, and who I think is the best governor in the nation… Governor JB Pritzker,” he said.. “My first thing is going to be supporting his agenda, which right now is all about lowering costs and raising wages.”
On the Republican side, Del Mar hails from suburban Chicago and considers his first priority to be raising his family.
“I wanted nothing to do with politics, did not want to be involved — wanted just to raise my kids and work my job,“ said Del Mar. He described his start in public service as something he ”kind of got pulled into.”
The Republican worked his way from a city council member in Palatine, at 29-years-old, to co-chair of the Illinois GOP. Although he says he “wanted nothing to do with being on” Bailey’s campaign, Del Mar sees strength in unity — offering a Chicago area perspective alongside Bailey’s southern Illinois roots.
“How about everybody in the state of Illinois, regardless of where you come from, has a seat at the table. If you’re from a southeast farming community, or you’re from the city of Chicago, where I grew up, everybody has a stake in the game.”
Priorities
Mitchell points to economic development as his focus for the gubernatorial campaign.
“I see vacancies on State Street in Chicago. I see vacancies on Main Street in Belleville and Alton and in Carbondale,” he recounted. “I want to make sure that we’ve got the kind of amenities and economic development, that kind of affordability, that allow us to make sure that folks want to stay in the towns that they’re born in if they want to.”
The Democratic candidate also eyes long-term planning for the state, including an “Illinois 2050 Plan.”
“How do we have the kind of educational undergirding that means that no matter where you’re from, you have a chance to have one of those jobs, whether it’s in new agriculture technology and new farming techniques or biotech, quantum.”
When asked how to achieve these priorities, Mitchell turned to investing in public education, retaining residents with better wages and improving health care.
“Making sure that we are able to protect our health care system, so that folks aren’t going broke when they get sick, that’s another big way that we can make an impact.”
Del Mar outlined a cost-of-living focus as central to his campaign.
“You wanna succeed, you do the basics really well, and the basics are affordability,” he contended.
The Republican repeatedly highlighted the state’s property taxes — reportedly the highest in the nation — as an issue to tackle. He suggested redirecting Illinois’s budget as one measure to ease the burden on homeowners.
“Number one is fully funding the state’s portion of local taxes, because that will offer people property tax relief.” Del Mar clarified this wouldn’t mean redirecting funds for public education.
“We’re looking at how we fund schools, how we make sure to empower teachers to have the best educational outcomes that we can have here in Illinois, regardless of what your zip code is, regardless of what your parents do for a living or how much money they make,” added Del Mar.
Reflecting on Rockford
Each candidate provided their vision for boosting the Rockford region.
For Mitchell, improvements continue with infrastructure funding, building on the state’s roughly $500 million investment in the area.
“The things that we have already worked on, through the capital plan that I helped lead as deputy governor, that the governor signed and is implementing, are already having benefits that the people of Rockford can see.”
The Democrat also pointed to the Chicago Rockford International Airport as an opportunity.
“Investing in that regional airport where we’ve already helped with a matching grant to get additional funds, that helps build out the economy,” said Mitchell. “There’s so much that’s happening there that it is really good for the economy and bringing more people back to Rockford.”
Del Mar shared his local priority as supporting unionization in the area.
“Union families deserve to be able to have a livable wage, and that’s something that’s important to Darren and I,” said Del Mar. He mentioned pensions were another item that a Republican executive wouldn’t touch for the public and private sector unions.
“I know that area up there has strong union backbone,” described Del Mar. “We want to make sure they know that they’re not going to have a bigger supporter in the governor’s mansion than Darren and I.”
Election Day
When asked for thoughts on their opponent, Mitchell criticized the Bailey campaign as a “repacking” of his 2022 run.
“The only record that they have to run on is extremism,” he exclaimed.
The Republican candidate also reflected on records, pointing to Pritzker’s years in office.
“Why are we underfunding education? Why are property taxes at all-time high? Why are businesses leaving?” asked Del Mar.
Voters can decide on who will lead Illinois November 3. Early voting starts September 24, with applications for voting by mail opening August 5.
Extended Interviews
Copyright 2026 WIFR. All rights reserved.
ROCHESTER, Minn. (FOX 9) – A man from Illinois is facing felony charges after police say he took part in a scheme that convinced a Rochester resident to hand over thousands of dollars in cash and nearly fell for a gold bar handoff.
Rochester phone scam
What we know:
According to a criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County District Court, police say the victim was contacted by phone and told he was under investigation for a crime. The caller convinced him to deliver $30,000 in cash to a man he met in person on June 17, 2026.
The victim was then pressured to arrange a second delivery — this time, 10 one-ounce gold bars — on June 23, 2026. Detectives worked with the victim to set up a controlled delivery using fake gold bars and a GPS tracker.
Charges state that the plan was for the victim to meet whoever arrived to pick up the package, while officers watched nearby. Surveillance officers saw a white SUV with Illinois plates circling the parking lot at 2711 Commerce Drive NW in Rochester.
The complaint states a man, later identified as Kiranbhai Kanubhai Vasava, got out, met the victim, gave the password and took the package. Officers followed the car as it left the scene. Detectives stop suspects and recover cash
Why you should care:
Police stopped the SUV near Eyota and searched it, finding $50,000 in cash, several cell phones, bank checks with Vasava’s name, and packaging materials similar to those used for the fake gold bars. The package with the GPS tracker and fake gold was missing, but officers later found the GPS device torn apart on the side of the highway.
The second man in the car, Hemendrasinh Pravinsinh Dabhi, told police he got a call from India about a package but claimed he knew nothing about it, saying, “he just drives.” Vasava also denied knowing what was happening.
Kiranbhai Vasava linked to Wisconsin case
The backstory:
The complaint states detectives linked Vasava to another similar case in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, where a bank customer was convinced to hand over $50,000 in cash to a driver in a white Honda SUV. Video from that incident showed Vasava receiving the package.
Police say this type of swindle involves convincing victims they are under investigation and must pay money or hand over valuables to clear their name. Detectives say the investigation involved coordination between local police and law enforcement in Wisconsin.
The Source: Criminal charges filed in Olmsted County Court.
-
Washington, D.C3 minutes agoDC reaches settlement with man detained while protesting troops with Darth Vader song
-
Cleveland, OH5 minutes agoHeinen’s closing downtown Cleveland location
-
Austin, TX10 minutes agoTexas board approves Bible stories as required reading in public schools
-
Alabama13 minutes agoBest downtowns in Alabama? These 10 towns made the list
-
Alaska18 minutes agoLavrov Challenges Rubio: Kremlin Says Trump-Putin Reached Deal as Moscow Questions Washington’s Neutrality
-
Arizona25 minutes agoCentral Arizona is home to the ‘World’s Oldest Rodeo.’ Here’s what to see and do there
-
Arkansas28 minutes agoSanders announces Medicaid work requirement soft launch for Arkansas ARHOME recipients
-
California33 minutes agoNewsom urges a national ‘billionaires’ tax’ while fighting one in California
