Illinois primary 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 in the Democratic primary for President of the United States.

We endorse Biden while fully acknowledging the baggage he collected over 35 years in the Senate. Click here to read the full endorsement.

Cook County State’s Attorney Democratic Primary

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

During Foxx’s tenure, the guiding philosophy of the state’s attorney’s office has undergone a sea change — and it’s a change that must continue. Click here to read the full endorsement.

Cook County State’s Attorney Republican Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Pat O’Brien in the Republican primary for Cook County State’s Attorney.

O’Brien’s long resume and insider’s understanding of the office would make him a credible challenger to Kim Foxx even if Jussie Smollett had never set foot in our town. Click here to read the full endorsement.

Illinois State Supreme Court

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses P. Scott Neville Jr. in the election for the Illinois State Supreme Court.

He is a seasoned jurist who has demonstrated a commitment to the law — and a fair shake for all — over a long career. Click here to read the full endorsement.

Cook County Board of Review

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

Rashid would work to help end the ingrained practice of habitual appeals by establishing that appeals will be granted only on the basis of fair market value. Click here to read the full endorsement.

Cook County Circuit Court Clerk

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Michael Cabonargi in the election for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk.

He is a former federal prosecutor who investigated corruption while working at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Click here to read the full endorsement.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District

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

These candidates would guard against flooding in an era of stronger storms and work to improve the environment. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Senate Republican Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Mark C. Curran Jr. in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate.

Curran, the sheriff of Lake County from 2006 to 2018, is a principled conservative. But he’s not afraid to call out the worst policies of his own Republican Party. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 1st District Democratic Primary

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

Rush is a fascinating American figure whose political strategies and alliances have traveled over the decades. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 2nd District Democratic Primary

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

Kelly has worked on legislation to lower prescription drug prices and reduce gun violence. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 3rd District Democratic Primary

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

Marie Newman leaves no doubt that she will stand up for health care, Dreamers and women’s rights. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 3rd District Republican Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Mike Fricilone in the Republican primary for the U.S. Congress 3rd District.

Fricilone, a Will County Board member who lives in Homer Glen, is a by-the-numbers conservative. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 5th District Democratic Primary

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

He’s not flashy but he works the job, and there’s a lot to be said for his political approach — finding common cause in the middle. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 5th District Republican Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Tommy Hanson in the Republican primary for the U.S. Congress 5th District.

Your choices in this Republican primary are not good, but you can vote for Hansen, a commercial real estate manager whose views on the issues are to the right of many or most Republicans. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 6th District Republican Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Gordon (Jay) Kinzler in the Republican primary for the U.S. Congress 6th District.

Kinzler is a principled conservative who continues to serve as a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 7th District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Anthony Clark in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Congress 7th District.

The people of the 7th Congressional District deserve a representative who will work for them with vigor. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 8th District Democratic Primary

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

Raja Krishnamoorthi gets things done, pursues bipartisanship and has his priorities right. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 11th District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Bill Foster in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Congress 5th District.

The science-related issues Foster focuses on don’t get much notice on the cable news, but they can matter greatly. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 11th District Republican Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Krishna Bansal in the Republican primary for the U.S. Congress 11th District.

Bansal, with his stronger grasp of the issues and extensive record of public service, is the better bet to defeat a Democrat in the fall. Click here to read the full endorsement.

U.S. Congress 14th District Republican Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Jim Oberweis in the Republican primary for the U.S. Congress 14th District.

Oberweis has evolved a bit. He remains a staunch conservative, but he seems slightly more inclined to work across party lines. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State Senate 1st District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Froylan ‘Froy’ Jimenez in the Democratic primary for the State Senate 1st district.

The people of the 1st District deserve a senator who puts their interests first. Right now, they don’t have that. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State Senate 10th District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Robert Martwick in the Democratic primary for the State Senate 10th district.

He has been a clear voice in Springfield for practical solutions to the state’s pension crisis, and he has pushed for increased funding for public universities as a way to reduce tuition costs. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State Senate 13th District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Ken Thomas in the Democratic primary for the State Senate 13th district.

He has worked to defend the rights of tenants who are evicted, working pro bono for the Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State Senate 22nd District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Cristina Castro in the Democratic primary for the State Senate 22nd district.

She has played a major role in the passage of some of the more meaningful new laws to come out of Springfield in the last two years. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State Senate 25th District Republican Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Beth Goncher in the Republican primary for the State Senate 25th district.

Goncher is a staunch fiscal conservative with legislative know-how, thanks to her work as a top congressional aide. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State Senate 40th District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Patrick Joyce in the Democratic primary for the State Senate 40th district.

Joyce has a solid grasp of the concerns, like water access and quality, facing this heavily rural district. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State Senate 49th District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Meg Loughran Cappel in the Democratic primary for the State Senate 49th district.

She has demonstrated consensus-building skills as a member of the board of Joliet Township School District 204. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 1st District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Aaron Ortiz in the Democratic primary for the State House 1st district.

The district has a large immigrant population, including undocumented immigrants, and their needs are top of mind for Ortíz. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 2nd District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Theresa Mah in the Democratic primary for the State House 2nd district.

Mah is endorsed for a third term because she works diligently on behalf of underserved communities. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 3rd District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Eva-Dina Delgado in the Democratic primary for the State House 3rd district.

Delgado says she won’t need “on-the-job training” — and this is true. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 9th District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Lakesia Collins in the Democratic primary for the State House 9th district.

Collins has demonstrated an ability to get things done. Most notably, as a Service Employees International Union Healthcare organizer, she helped line up support in the Illinois Legislature for the successful passage of the state’s 2010 nursing home reform bill. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 10th District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Gerard Moorer in the Democratic primary for the State House 10th district.

Among Moorer’s priorities would be working to bring down violent crime rates, which he says has been a passion since his father was murdered. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 12th District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Jonathan A. “Yoni” Pizer in the Democratic primary for the State House 12th district.

Pizer has given a greater voice to LGBTQ folks, HIV and AIDS activists, and Jewish leaders from his community as a liaison to U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 16th District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Denyse Wang Stoneback in the Democratic primary for the State House 16th district.

Stoneback founded the gun violence prevention organization People for a Safer Society after the Sandy Hook massacre. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 19th District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Lindsey Lapointe in the Democratic primary for the State House 19th district.

She has used her experience in criminal justice reform and working with homeless people to fashion an agenda that emphasizes improving health care access and neighborhood schools. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 20th District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Michelle Darbro in the Democratic primary for the State House 20th district.

The Chicago firefighter already is a dedicated public servant. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 29th District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Thaddeus Jones in the Democratic primary for the State House 29th district.

Time will tell if a law Jones pushed to install cameras on state-patrolled expressways will lead to fewer shootings and help police solve such crimes. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 31st District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Samantha Simpson in the Democratic primary for the State House 31st district.

It’s not often that a first-time candidate for elective office is as prepared as Samantha Simpson to step in and do the job. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 32nd District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Andre Thapedi in the Democratic primary for the State House 32nd district.

His 11 years of experience give him the edge in this primary. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 40th District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Jaime Andrade in the Democratic primary for the State House 40th district.

He’s a gadget geek who is trying to create a niche in Springfield as a technology watchdog. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 41st District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Janet Yang Rohr in the Democratic primary for the State House 41st district.

Her school board experience makes her the better candidate. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 45th District Republican Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Randy Ramey in the Republican primary for the State House 45th district.

There’s no substitute for prior experience in public office, which Ramey has. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 54th District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Maggie Trevor in the Democratic primary for the State House 54th district.

She came very close to winning this Illinois House seat in the 2018 general election. She lost to incumbent Republican Tom Morrison by just 43 votes. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 60th District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Rita Mayfield in the Democratic primary for the State House 60th district.

She has a grasp of a broader array of issues facing the state than her opponent. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 63rd District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Brian Sager in the Democratic primary for the State House 63rd district.

Sager, a fiscal conservative, is the smart pick to go against an incumbent Republican in November. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 65th District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Mohammad “Mo” Iqbal in the Democratic primary for the State House 65th district.

Illinois could benefit from a few more practical, clear-thinking and fiscally smart legislators. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 66th District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Suzanne Ness in the Democratic primary for the State House 66th district.

While serving on the McHenry County Board, Ness worked to preserve services for vulnerable citizens and lower the tax levy. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 66th District Republican Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Carolyn Schofield in the Republican primary for the State House 66th district.

Schofield understands that legislators do the public a disservice when they cling desperately to their end of the political spectrum, yet leave big problems to fester. Click here to read the full endorsement.

State House 83rd District Democratic Primary

The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Juan Thomas in the Democratic primary for the State House 83rd district.

Thomas, a lawyer, has a long history of serving his community and profession.Click here to read the full endorsement.

This page will be updated as more endorsements are announced.