CHICAGO — Illinois could play a decisive role in picking the Republican and Democratic nominees for president as voters prepare to go to the polls Tuesday.
Edgewater native Hillary Clinton — who grew up in Park Ridge near the city's Far Northwest Side — campaigned twice last week in Illinois, hoping to avoid another upset at the hands of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and make a case that the fight for the Democratic nomination is all but over.
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Although Clinton is considered the heavy favorite in her home state, Sanders sought to capitalize on her ties to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who is under fire for his response to a dashcam video showing a police officer fatally shoot 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times.
Sanders' campaign released an advertisement Friday starring two high-profile Emanuel critics — former mayoral candidate Jesus "Chuy" Garcia and Blaine Elementary School Principal Troy LaRaviere — and called for "major political changes in Chicago."
Emanuel, who rose to prominence as an aide to former President Bill Clinton and has endorsed his wife in her bid for the White House, has not publicly campaigned for Clinton.
On the Republican ticket, businessman and reality television star Donald Trump is expected to win the state's 69 delegates. He faces Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.
A rally Trump planned to hold at the UIC Pavilion Friday evening was canceled abruptly for "safety" reasons, according to Trump. Fights broke out inside and outside of the University of Illinois at Chicago's arena as Trump supporters and protesters squared off.
Cruz campaigned in the western suburbs Friday night.
State's Attorney
In addition to its role in the presidential campaign, the McDonald case roiled Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez's bid for re-election.
Former Assistant State's Attorney Kim Foxx's campaign for the office's top job has focused on the widespread outrage generated by Alvarez' decision to wait nearly 400 days to charge Police Officer Jason Van Dyke with McDonald's murder, despite a video that shows the teen posed no threat to officers.
Although the county Democratic Party initially backed Alvarez, it dropped her and tapped Foxx, who also has the backing of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Also running is attorney Donna More, who served as an assistant U.S. attorney and assistant state's attorney.
The winner of the Democratic nomination will face Christopher E.K. Pfannkuche, who is unopposed on the Republican ballot.
U.S. Senate
Illinois voters will also pick a Democratic nominee for the United States Senate. The winner is expected to face Republican Sen. Mark Kirk, who has no significant opposition for the Republican nomination.
U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth is expected to handily defeat former Chicago school board member Andrea Zopp of Morgan Park and former professional football player and State Sen. Napoleon Harris.
U.S. House
With the Illinois Democratic Party firmly in control of the state's congressional delegation, all but two of the contests for Illinois' seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are uncontested.
The exception is the race to represent the 1st Congressional District, where Ald. Howard Brookins (21st) is challenging U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, who has held the seat since 1993.
Rush — a former Black Panther who frequently criticized former Mayor Richard M. Daley — backed Emanuel's re-election last year and stood with the mayor despite calls for him to resign in the wake of the outcry over the death of McDonald.
Two candidates — August (O'Neill) Deuser and Jimmy Lee Tillman II — are vying for the Republican nomination.
In the 7th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, who has held the office since 1997, faces a challenge from Iraq War veteran Thomas Day.
In the 4th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez is running against Javier Salas for the Democratic nod.
Illinois General Assembly
The outcome of two key races in the Democratic primary could determine how much longer Springfield remains locked in a war between Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrats led by House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Rauner has refused to approve a budget— now more than eight months overdue — unless lawmakers agree to adopt his agenda that he contends will spur business growth in Illinois. Democrats have steadfastly refused, and the impasse has yet to be resolved.
State Sen. Ken Dunkin, who broke ranks with his fellow Democrats to support Rauner, faces a stiff challenge from former Local School Council member Juliana Stratton to hang on to his job representing the 5th District.
Stratton was endorsed this week by President Barack Obama. More than $5 million has been spent in the race, according to reports filed with state officials.
Madigan, who represents the 22nd House District, faces a challenge from Harvard University graduate Jason Gonzalez. Also on the ballot are Joe G. Barboza and Grasiela Rodriquez, but neither has actively campaigned.
Other contested races in the Democratic party for the Illinois House are:
• 2nd District: Theresa Mah v. Alexander "Alex" Acevedo
• 4th District: Cynthia Soto v. Robert "Bob Z" Zwolinski
• 6th District: Darryl D. Smith v. Kenyatta Nicole Vaughn v. Genita V. Robinson v. Sonya Marie Harper
• 15th District: John D'Amico v. Jac Charlier
• 26th District: Jhatayn "Jay" Travis v. Christian Mitchell
• 29th District: Wilbur "Will" Tilman v. Thaddeus Jones v. Kenneth "Kenny" Williams
• 40th District: Jaime Andrade v. Harish Patel
There are two contested Democratic races for the Illinois Senate.
In the 2nd Illinois Senate district, Omar Aquino, who has been endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union, is running against Angelica Alfaro, who worked at a charter school. In the 5th Illinois Senate district, former Ald. Bob Fioretti is challenging State Sen. Patricia Van Pelt, who was elected in 2012.
Metropolitan Water Department Board of Commissioners
Seven candidates are vying for three seats on the Metropolitan Water Department Board of Commissioners, which oversees the agency charged with making sure Cook County's sewers operate efficiently and effectively while managing storm water. The agency is also charged with monitoring the county's water quality.
The candidates vying for three, six-year terms on the board are Kevin McDevitt, Barbara McGowan, Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, Josina Morita, R. Cary Capparelli, Joseph Daniel Cook and Mary Vann.
Andrew Seo, Tom Greenhaw and Martin J. Durkan are vying to complete a two-year term on the board.
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Jacob Meister, an attorney, is running for clerk of Cook County Circuit Court against Ald. Michelle Harris (8th) and Dorothy Brown, who has held the office for 16 years.
Brown, who had been endorsed by the county Democratic Party, lost the party's support when it became clear federal officials were investigating her office for corruption on a number of different fronts. Party officials instead endorsed Harris, who failed to attend several debates.
On the Republican ballot, Diane Shapiro is running unopposed for the position overseeing the county courts.
Cook County Judges
Twenty-nine judgeships are up for election on the Democratic ballot.
The Chicago Bar Association's rating of each judge is available online.
In each of Chicago's 50 wards, the position of committeeman in each party is up for grabs. Committeemen — who are unpaid — are elected to four-year terms to oversee voter registration, boost voter turnout and ensure elections run smoothly.
In many wards, the alderman — or his or her close ally — serves as the committeeman to consolidate power and operations. Candidates looking to make a run for City Council often test the waters in a committeeman race first.
Contested Democratic committeeman races will take place in these wards:
• 1st Ward: Ald. Proco "Joe" Moreno v. Maria Teresa Gonzalez
• 10th Ward: Fred Carrizales v. Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza
• 12th Ward: Ald. George Cardenas vs. Antonio "Tony" Munoz
• 16th Ward: Ald. Toni Foulkes vs. Nathan Wilson and Stephanie Coleman
• 23rd Ward: Ald. Michael Zalewski vs. Charles Hughes
• 30th Ward: Ald. Ariel Reboyras vs. Zoe Favela
• 33rd Ward: Former Ald. Dick Mell vs. Aaron Goldstein
• 39th Ward: Patrick Molloy vs. Robert Murphy
• 40th Ward: Ald. Patrick O'Connor vs. Dianne Daleiden
• 41st Ward: Andrew "Andy" DeVito vs. Tim Heneghan and Goran Davidovac.
Contested Republican committeeman races will take place in these wards:
• 14th Ward: Vilma Garica vs. Emma Walsh
• 18th Ward: Syemon Brown vs. William "Mr. D" Delay
• 19th Ward: Steven Graves vs. Danny Carbol
• 35th Ward: Brent Mulvey.
In the 29th Ward, which includes, Belmont Heights, Lawndale, Austin, Montclare and Galewood, voters will be asked whether the U.S. Constitution should be amended to include "an explicit right to vote."
In several Logan Square precincts of the 32nd Ward, voters will be asked whether the alderman should "pursue zoning policies to protect the historic buildings and character of Logan Sqaure."
On the Green Party ballot, there is one contested race in the 5th Congressional District. Rob Sherman, Warren "Grizz" Grimsley and Richard B. "Riverview" Mayers are vying for the party's nomination.
For the full list of candidates, go to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.
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