Illinois general election candidate endorsements

Complete coverage of the local and national primary and general election, including results, analysis and voter resources to keep Chicago voters informed.

During each election cycle, the Sun-Times editorial board endorses candidates in local, state and federal elections following a rigorous investigation of all candidates. Candidate endorsements are decided upon and written collectively by our editorial board, which serves as the opinion voice of our newspaper.

The endorsement process includes written questionnaires that we distribute to all candidates and publish unedited on our election guide page, as well as in-person interviews with every candidate who accepts our invitation to come to the newsroom and meet with our board.

These conversations, and the resulting decisions that shape our endorsement selections, are conducted independently by the editorial board.

You can read more about how the editorial board makes their endorsement decisions here.

Here are the candidates endorsed by the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board:

President of the United States

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Joe Biden for President of the United States.

Biden was born in 1942. But in his insistence on embracing the nation that we are today — all colors, religions, genders and identities — he is an American for 2020. Click here to read the full endorsement.

Cook County State’s Attorney

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Kim Foxx for Cook County State’s Attorney.

The job of a prosecutor, Foxx understands, is not just to rack up convictions, but to fight for justice and real community safety. Click here to read the full endorsement.

Cook County Board of Review

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Dan Patlak in the election for the Cook County Board of Review.

Patlak is less openly opposed to Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s reform efforts — and the board needs at least one Republican. Click here to read the full endorsement.

Cook County Circuit Court Clerk

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Iris Y. Martinez in the election for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk.

Here’s hoping her experience as a lawmaker helps her become the effective leader the office sorely needs. Click here to read the full endorsement.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Cam Davis, Kimberly Neely DuBuclet and Eira Corral Sepulveda in the election for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

Davis, DuBuclet and Sepúlveda are candidates who will put your water first. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Senate

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Dick Durbin for the U.S. Senate.

Durbin, the Senate Democratic whip, will be a powerful player in Washington if voters sweep out the Senate’s failed Republican majority. For similar reasons, we have endorsed only Democrats for Congress in this election cycle. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 1st District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Bobby Rush for the U.S. Congress 1st District.

In this moment of Black Lives Matter, Rush appears to have found new energy. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 2nd District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Robin Kelly for the U.S. Congress 2nd District.

We endorse Kelly for re-election so that she might continue her work for saner gun laws and greater equity in health care. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 3rd District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Marie Newman for the U.S. Congress 3rd District.

She leans pretty strongly left, but she’s pragmatic. She best represents the values of her district. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 4th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia for the U.S. Congress 4th District.

Garcia’s first priority has been to push for the enactment of immigration reform, but he has long pursued a broader progressive agenda. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 5th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Mike Quigley for the U.S. Congress 5th District.

Quigley brings a no-fuss directness to his service in Washington. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 6th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Sean Casten for the U.S. Congress 6th District.

We endorse Casten because our country just got to get back to working out the answers to big problems based on facts, with compassion for the underdog, and in a spirit of pulling together. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 7th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Danny K. Davis for the U.S. Congress 7th District.

This race is a rerun from two years ago. We endorse Davis again, but wish the voters had a better choice. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 8th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Raja Krishnamoorthi for the U.S. Congress 8th District.

He’s among the more industrious members of the House, and a cut above many other members of the Illinois delegation. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 9th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Jan Schakowsky for the U.S. Congress 9th District.

Schakowsky has been a forceful critic of the worst policies of the Trump administration, as well as a leader on health care reform and in addressing violence against women. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 10th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Brad Schneider for the U.S. Congress 10th District.

Schneider has been sensitive to the particular needs of his district, even as he’s been a predictable Democratic vote on national issues. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 11th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Bill Foster for the U.S. Congress 11th District.

In times like these, it’s nice to have an actual scientist — a nuclear physicist, no less — in Congress. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 14th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Lauren Underwood for the U.S. Congress 14th District.

Underwood has earned, on her own merits, a return trip to Washington. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State Senate 10th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Robert F. Martwick for the State Senate 10th District.

Martwick has ably represented his district since his appointment to the post in 2019. Voters should elect him to a full term. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State Senate 11th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Celina Villanueva for the State Senate 11th District.

Long before she was appointed to the Legislature in 2018, she was a strong advocate for marriage equality and immigrant rights. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State Senate 25th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Karina Villa for the State Senate 25th District.

No matter people’s political persuasions, they will find a good listener and responder in Villa, who is currently a state representative in the district. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State Senate 31st District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Melinda Bush for the State Senate 31st District.

The incumbent senator has been an active legislator and a strong voice for ethics. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State Senate 40th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Patrick Joyce for the State Senate 40th District.

“Constituent service on steroids” is how he describes his approach to representing this district. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State Senate 43rd District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses John Connor for the State Senate 43rd District.

As an assistant state’s attorney, he helped prosecute Drew Peterson and set up major crimes and computer crimes prosecution units. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State Senate 49th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Meg Loughran Cappel for the State Senate 49th District.

She has a record of advocating for vulnerable students as a special education teacher and board member for Joliet Township High School District 204. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 17th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz for the State House 17th District.

The district is in the fine hands of an immigration lawyer who looks out for children and calls out House Speaker Michael Madigan. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 18th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Robyn Gabel for the State House 18th District.

She has crafted laws on behalf of seniors and the medical community. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 19th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Lindsey Lapointe for the State House 19th District.

LaPointe’s background in social justice and social work has left a clear and compassionate stamp on her efforts in Springfield. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 20th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Brad Stephens for the State House 20th District.

Democrats have failed to field a candidate who could do a better job down in Springfield. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 35th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Frances Anne Hurley for the State House 35th District.

Hurley strongly advocates for suicide prevention among first responders. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 37th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Tim Ozinga for the State House 37th District.

As Illinois recovers from the economic devastation of COVID-19, Ozinga promises to be an effective voice in shoring up small and family-owned businesses. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 38th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Debbie Meyers Martin for the State House 38th District.

Meyers-Martin has brought experience and enthusiasm to attracting new businesses since her election in 2018. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 41st District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Grant Wehrli for the State House 41st District.

Even allowing for his advantage as an incumbent, he’s well-versed on a wide range of topics. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 42nd District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Ken Mejia-Beal for the State House 42nd District.

Mejia-Beal has worked in DuPage County Democratic politics and on lobbying campaigns for non-profit Howard Brown Health. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 45th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Seth Lewis for the State House 45th District.

Lewis’ approach is to seek practical solutions to our state’s woes, including corruption. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 47th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Deanne Marie Mazzochi for the State House 47th District.

Mazzochi is a strong advocate for issues critical to this district, such as capital funding for Metra projects and restoring local control over the location of 5G wireless equipment sites. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 48th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Terra Costa Howard for the State House 48th District.

She champions women’s rights on issues of pay and reproductive health, and she’s the rare Democrat who has spoken out against House Speaker Michael Madigan. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 49th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Maura Hirschauer for the State House 49th District.

Her background lends itself well to a socially-driven legislative tack. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 50th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Keith R. Wheeler for the State House 50th District.

Wheeler has been a reasonable voice in the state’s fight against the coronavirus and also has a feel for the bread-and-butter issues of his district. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 51st District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Chris Bos for the State House 51st District.

He is collaborative, willing to reach out to other lawmakers. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 52nd District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Marci Suelzer for the State House 52nd District.

Among her priorities are ethics reform, assisting small businesses, strengthening local schools, environmental protection and clean-energy jobs. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 54th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Maggie Trevor for the State House 54th District.

Trevor, who lost this race two years ago by 43 votes, might actually get things done in Springfield. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 55th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Martin J. Moylan for the State House 55th District.

Expect him to sponsor and support common-sense laws to prevent gun violence. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 56th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Michelle Mussman for the State House 56th District.

Mussman emphasizes direct service to her district but she sees the bigger picture, too. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 61st District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Joyce Mason for the State House 61st District.

She has voted the interests of her district, which is along the Wisconsin border. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 62nd District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Jim Walsh for the State House 62nd District.

He is inquisitive, non-doctrinaire and up for collaboration. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 63rd District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Brian Sager for the State House 63rd District.

His priorities include economic growth, job creation and full restoration of local government distributive funds. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 64th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Tom Weber for the State House 64th District.

He has worked with state and federal agencies to improve the Chain O’Lakes, a recreational and economic powerhouse for the district. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 65th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Martha Paschke for the State House 65th District.

Paschke’s smart, issues-oriented campaign should earn her a spot in the General Assembly. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 66th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Suzanne Ness for the State House 66th District.

Ness is willing to stand on principle and has a strong commitment to the environment and to education. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 77th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Kathleen Willis for the State House 77th District.

She has worked on important legislation to address gun violence. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 78th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Camille Y. Lilly for the State House 78th District.

Chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, Lilly intends to make police reform a priority. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 80th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Anthony DeLuca for the State House 80th District.

DeLuca is an experienced legislator who cares about life in ‘the Southland.’ Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 81st District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Laura Hois for the State House 81st District.

She has an impressive background in local government and the private sector as an in-house counsel to a major corporation. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 82nd District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Jim Durkin for the State House 82nd District.

Durkin is a sensible legislator and a strong leader for his party. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 83rd District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Barbara Hernandez for the State House 83rd District.

Hernandez has managed to sponsor three modest bills, but she’s got to become more assertive and knowledgeable about the issues. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 85th District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Dagmara ‘Dee’ Avelar for the State House 85th District.

Avelar seeks improved health care access and the rebuilding of municipal water departments. She also wants term limits on legislative leadership positions. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 97rd District

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Mark Batnick for the State House 97th District.

We like that Batinick wants to act as a check on state spending, yet he’s not a slash-and-burn type who’d face an uphill battle against Democrats next session. Click here to read the full endorsement.