From Chicago to across Illinois, voters headed to the polls on Tuesday to cast ballots in the state's presidential primary election and other races.
Among the many races to be decided on March 19 include the Democratic Party nomination for Cook County State's Attorney, pitting Clayton Harris III against Eileen O'Neil Burke, in a bid to replace Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx, who announced in April 2023 that she would not seek reelection.
As of 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, the race was too close to call.
SEE ALSO: Race for Chicago-area prosecutor seat features tough-on-crime judge, lawyer with Democratic backing
The "Bring Chicago Home" referendum, a real estate transfer tax hike proposed by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, was also on the ballot. The question asks citizens to decide whether to impose higher real estate transfer taxes on homes and commercial properties that sell for more than one million dollars while reducing the rate for properties that sell for less than a million.
With more votes opposing the measure, "Bring Chicago Home" is likely to fail, though votes were still being counted Tuesday night.
READ MORE: ‘Bring Chicago Home’ votes to be counted after Illinois Supreme Court denies appeal
Other Illinois primary election races include congressional district seats. In the state's 4th Congressional District, progressive Congressman Jesus “Chuy” García defeated conservative Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez.
RELATED: Rep. Jesus ‘Chuy García and Ald. Raymond Lopez face off in race for seat in Illinois’s 4th congressional district
In the 7th Congressional District, 82-year-old incumbent Danny Davis, who sought a 15th term, defeated a crowd of contenders that included City of Chicago treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, Kina Collins, Kouri Marshall, and Nikhil Bhatia.
In the race for clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court, incumbent Iris Martinez lost to challenger Mariyana Spyropoulos, commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.
SEE ALSO: Clerk of Cook County Circuit Court race heats up ahead of primary
WGN News' special coverage of the Illinois primary began at 7 p.m. and included coverage and analysis of the state's presidential primaries, 'Bring Chicago Home,' congressional district races and the Cook County State's Attorney Democratic Party nomination. Follow our full blog of the night below:
YOUR LOCAL ELECTION HQ | Election Results: Key Races in Illinois Primary
10:30 p.m.
As of 10:30 p.m., the Democratic matchup for the Cook County State’s Attorney primary is too close to call.
10 p.m.
The latest numbers for the Democratic primary nominee for Cook County State's Attorney show Eileen O'Neil Burke with a narrow lead over Clayton Harris III with 93% of the votes counted.
9:50 p.m.
9:46 p.m.
As the 'Bring Chicago Home' referendum appears headed for defeat, the campaign says "our resolve to fight for housing justice continues."
The Bring Chicago Home campaign exists in the long lineage of past and present struggles for fair housing, civil rights, and economic justice. While tonight’s election results are disappointing, we are nowhere near the end of our journey.
There are still 100,000 outstanding mail-in ballots to be counted, but whatever the final count, one thing is abundantly clear tonight: how determined our opponents are to continue profiting from displacement and inequality. From landlords sending intimidating emails to tenants to a legal challenge attempting to invalidate the results, the realtors, corporate landlords, and mega-developers fought us at every turn.
Our broad-based coalition–made up of homeless and formerly homeless people, union members, faith leaders, social service providers, community organizations, and grassroots volunteers–is determined to keep fighting for housing justice. Together, our city-wide field program knocked over 300,000 doors, made over 600,000 phone calls, and sent over 1 million text messages across all 50 wards. This is the work that makes our movement stronger over the long haul, no matter the final result."
Statement from representatives with 'Bring Chicago Home'
9:40 p.m.
9:36 p.m.
9:34 p.m.
9:31 p.m.
Illinois Senator Natalie Toro concedes race for 20th District:
"While I’m deeply disappointed by this outcome, I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported this campaign with your votes, your voices, and your hard work. I wish the next senator nothing but the best and look forward to a seamless transition."
9:25 p.m.
In the south suburbs, a tax to support mental health services failed. WGN's Ben Bradley reports that questions about Tiffany Henyard's spending and leadership style may have doomed the effort.
WGN INVESTIGATES: Mental health tax in Thorton Township proposed by Tiffany Henyard fails
9:23 p.m.
WATCH | Mariyana Spyropoulous speaks with WGN-TV after winning Cook County Circuit Court Clerk race
9:16 p.m.
A statement from Graciela Guzmán's campaign says she has won the Democratic primary for Illinois State Senate 20th District and will advance to the general election in November.
I am overcome with gratitude for the independent political organizations, advocacy groups, unions, teachers, students, home care workers, retired members of our community, and many others who were the soul of this truly grassroots campaign. This victory is yet another win in the years-long effort to build a foundation of progressive leadership at the city, county, state, and federal levels. I look forward to continuing this campaign through the general election and then immediately getting to work in the State Senate."
Statement from Illinois State Senate 20th District Democratic Nominee Graciela Guzman
9:15 p.m.
The latest numbers on the 'Bring Chicago Home' referendum as of 9:15 p.m. show that the Johnson-backed ballot question appears headed for defeat.
9:04 p.m.
Mariyana Spyropoulos defeats Democrat Party incumbent Iris Martinez in the Clerk of Cook County Circuit Court race:
8:57 p.m.
In southern Illinois, Republican Rep. Mike Bost faces only his second intraparty challenge in seeking his sixth term in Congress. Former state Sen. Darren Bailey, the unsuccessful 2022 GOP nominee for governor, is hoping to unseat the 63-year-old incumbent, the Associated Press reports.
8:51 p.m.
Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez gives his concession speech after losing his bid for the state's 4th Congressional District seat.
8:40 p.m.
WATCH | Congressman Danny Davis speaks with WGN-TV after winning 7th Congressional District:
8:39 p.m.
Congressman Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia gives his victory speech after besting Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez to retain the state's 4th Congressional District seat.
"We have delivered for our communities. We have defended and will defend our communities. We have fought back against hate and division, and we've come together and uplifted each other, especially in our greatest time of need.
"And we're not done yet."
8:27 p.m.
8:23 p.m.
City of Chicago treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin concedes in race for the 7th Congressional District seat.
"My heart is full because I am so grateful. I want you all to know that when I look around this room, I am so grateful. I think about this campaign. This has been a long journey but it has been a journey worth taking," Conyears-Ervin told supporters.
8:15 p.m.
Sean Casten wins Democratic nomination for U.S. House in Illinois' 6th Congressional District.
8:10 p.m.
Longtime Rep. Danny Davis, seeking a 15th term in the 7th Congressional District, has won the Democratic primary after a competitive five-way race.
8:09 p.m.
8 p.m.
7:55 p.m.
The Associated Press reports that Congressman Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia has won his primary reelection bid after being challenged by Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez.
7:46 p.m.
7:42 p.m.
7:40 p.m.
With 45% of the votes accounted for, early numbers show that nearly 67,000 residents have voted against the controversial "Bring Chicago Home" referendum.
7:30 p.m.
With the primary polls closed, the city's Board of Elections reports that as of 7 p.m., out of 1,697,498 voters, both active and inactive, 343,639 total ballots have been cast, accounting for a citywide turnout of 20.24%.
Ballots Cast By Age Group:
- 17 -24: 12,160 ballots cast – 3.53%
- 25-34: 47,000 ballots cast – 13.67%
- 35-44: 49,221 ballots cast – 14.32%
- 45-54: 50,155 ballots cast – 14.59%
- 55-64: 66,653 ballots cast – 19.40%
- 65-74: 70,181 ballots cast – 20.42%
- 75+: 48,269 ballots cast – 14.04%
7:23 p.m.
7:20 p.m.
The Associated Press reports that President Joe Biden (D) and Donald Trump (R) won respective presidential primaries in Illinois, setting up a likely rematch in November.
7:15 p.m.
7 p.m.
Polling sites across Illinois have officially closed. WGN News' special coverage of the Illinois primary officially kicks off with Ray Cortopassi and Micah Materre, joined by political analysts Paul Lisnek, Tahman Bradley, Lisa Duarte, and Pat Brady.
6:30 p.m.
5 p.m.
With two hours to go until the polls close, as of 5 p.m., 287,621 ballots were cast in Chicago for a citywide voter turnout percentage of 16.94%. There are 1,697,498 registered voters in Chicago.
Turnout By Age Group:
- 17 -24: 8,987 ballots cast – 3.12%
- 25-34: 35,094 ballots cast – 12.20%
- 35-44: 38,530 ballots cast – 13.40%
- 45-54: 39,382 ballots cast – 13.69%
- 55-64: 55,811 ballots cast – 19.40%
- 65-74: 64,084 ballots cast – 22.28%
- 75+: 45,733 ballots cast – 15.90%
4 p.m.
Three hours until the polls close across Illinois.
While Chicago has nearly 1.7 million active registered voters, turnout at the polls has been considerably low, WGN's Christine Flores reports:
3:40 p.m.
3:14 p.m.
3 p.m.
As of 3 p.m., 253,798 ballots were cast in Chicago for a citywide voter turnout percentage of 14.95%. There are 1,697,498 registered voters in Chicago.
Turnout By Age Group:
- 17 -24: 7,475 ballots cast – 2.96%
- 25-34: 29,681 ballots cast – 11.69%
- 35-44: 32,791 ballots cast – 12.92%
- 45-54: 33,460 ballots cast – 13.18%
- 55-64: 48,834 ballots cast – 19.24%
- 65-74: 58,713 ballots cast – 23.13%
- 75+: 42,844 ballots cast – 16.88%