Illinois Holds Primary Election
The Illinois General Primary Election, where the political parties choose their nominees for the November General Election, was held on Tuesday, March 19th. Very few surprises resulted.
Nationally, President Joe Biden easily won the Democrat race for President of the United States, as did former President Donald Trump on the Republican side. Stateside, most all incumbents held on to their seats against challenges from within their respective parties. Notable exceptions were Democrats State Senator Natalie Toro and State Representative Mary Flowers, both of Chicago. Toro was just appointed to her seat a year ago; Flowers has served in that House seat for nearly 40 years. Both legislators, however, were being opposed by Democrat political leadership, which led to their electoral demise.
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Several incumbent U.S. House of Representative members in the state were also challenged from within their parties. All were successful in the primary election, however, and will likely face smooth sailing in the fall election, as their districts are considered “safe seats” for them based on the political make-up of their districts. Congressman Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) defeated his Republican rival Darren Bailey in a hard-fought – and sometimes nasty – campaign.
Voters will determine in the November 5, 2024, General Election who will represent them. In Illinois, the ballot will contain races for President of the United States, all 17 of Illinois’ U.S. Congressional seats, two-thirds of the Illinois State Senate seats, and all 118 seats for the Illinois House of Representatives. Many local races will also appear on the ballot in November.
Now that the election is over, Illinois state lawmakers will get back to the business of the spring legislative session. The House of Representatives will return to the Capitol on April 2; the Senate gavels back in on April 9. Both chambers will then work steadily through April and May to meet their scheduled adjournment date of May 24. The ICS is heavily involved in the legislative session and is in the Capitol on session days communicating with lawmakers on bills that would impact the chiropractic profession. ICS members are encouraged to participate in our advocacy efforts by contacting legislators regarding impactful bills. It is equally important for members to participate in the second prong of our advocacy program by contributing to the ICS PAC. The PAC allows the ICS to support legislators who are friends of the chiropractic profession.
