New downtown Chicago supersite opens for early voting
Early voting for the 2026 primary began Thursday morning for anyone who lives within the Chicago city limits.
Watch CBS News
Early voting for the 2026 primary began Thursday morning for anyone who lives within the Chicago city limits.
Bever joins Joe Donlon and Irika Sargent with information on election security and integrity, and what the board is expecting for polling places on Election Day Tuesday.
Sheriff Tom Dart said this implementation of law enforcement makes his deputies proactive instead of reactive.
The final accuracy and logic tests were under way Monday at the Chicago Loop Supersite, at 191 N. Clark St.
Per state law, all late-arriving but properly postmarked ballots must be counted.
Chicago election officials on Friday will begin scanning and counting thousands of mail-in ballots, a day after workers spent the day checking signatures on those ballots. Poll watchers for both of the Democratic candidates for Cook County State’s Attorney will be there to keep an eye on the process, with that race still too close to call. Max Bever, with the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, helps break down the process.
CBS 2's cameras were rolling Thursday as several checks were made on mail-in ballots.
Technically, the deadline is April 2, so it could take almost two more weeks to determine whether Eileen O’Neill Burke or Clayton Harris III will be the next Cook County State’s Attorney. CBS 2’s Tara Molina reports.
The demonstration ballot listed the names of various historical figures with Chicago or Illinois connections as candidates for various offices.
Younger voters 18 to 24 are the smallest voting bloc to show up to the polls so far.
Younger voters 18 to 24 are the smallest voting bloc to show up to the polls so far. CBS 2's Marissa Perlman reports.
Candidates must submit signatures from registered voters in order to appear on the ballot. That is a mandate you won't find in every big city.
The second page, or Ballot B, has all the judges up for retention.
Election officials statewide say they are doing everything they can to protect your vote.
If you need to brush up on the candidates in your district or see if your polling place has changed, check out the CBS 2 Voter Guide and then be sure to stay with CBS 2 for live Election Night coverage.
"I do think, you know, the Obamas visiting the early voting site lets voters know that it's there, it's open – it's ready for their early votes," said Chicago Board of Elections spokesman Max Bever.
There will also be extended weekday hours for the supersite (9:00 a.m. to 7:00 pm) from June 20 to June 24, the week before Election Day.
Early voting for the 2020 general election still had a little bit of time to go as of late Monday afternoon, but it had already set records by that time – along with mail-in ballots.
Election Day is coming up Tuesday, but yes, you still have time to vote early.
Experts expect the vote totals to break records, but as CBS 2's Jeremy Ross reported, there is one total in particular that Chicago leaders are watching closely.
"Regardless of what happens, November 3rd will be a big day for all of us, and our goal is clear: keep Chicagoans safe as we take part in this momentous day," Lightfoot said.
It's the first time ever the arena is being used as a voting site, and the arena will be open to all Chicago voters on Election Day.
In light of the pandemic, there's been a major push urging Americans to vote by mail or vote early for the Nov. 3 elections.
"When we receive those ballots back, we have a team of three judges who must review the envelope. And make sure the signature matches what we have on our voter rolls for that particular voter, and it has to be a unanimous decision by all the judges."
Many voters lined up as early as 6 a.m., more than two hours before the Loop Super Site opened at 8:30 a.m. It wasn't long before the line to vote stretched for blocks.
A new program is seeking to get more Chicago Public Schools students into the aviation industry.
The City of Chicago on Thursday kicked off bus tours as part of its new reparations initiative.
A 16-year-old boy who died after being shot in Woodlawn Wednesday afternoon has been identified as a student at nearby Hyde Park Academy High School.
A long-planned redevelopment of the former Lathrop Homes public housing development along the North Branch of the Chicago River is finally set to move forward.
Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife and then turned the gun on himself what police described as a murder-suicide in their home in Annandale, Virginia, police said Thursday.
The City of Chicago on Thursday kicked off bus tours as part of its new reparations initiative.
Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife and then turned the gun on himself what police described as a murder-suicide in their home in Annandale, Virginia, police said Thursday.
A coalition of banks, credit unions, and card companies argue that Illinois lawmakers must repeal the state's first-in-the-nation Interchange Fee Prohibition Act, slated to take effect July 1.
O'Hare workers drinking on the job and CPD employees scamming the federal government were just some of the jaw-dropping findings in the latest quarterly report from the city's inspector general.
House Democrats introduced articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, claiming he has "demonstrated a willful disregard for the Constitution."
A passenger on an American Airlines flight from New York to Chicago has been charged with making a false bomb threat that forced an emergency landing at Detroit Metro Airport last month, according to a federal criminal complaint.
Skyrocketing property taxes continue to be a hot-button issue in Cook County — particularly since last fall, when many residents saw their tax bills increase by 100% or more.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias this weekend issued a warning about a surge in text messages that falsely claim to come from his office or the DMV within it.
Tenants at a South Loop luxury high-rise that has been plagued with problems like broken elevators are vowing to fight five-day eviction notices.
It's become an annual March Madness tradition at CBS Chicago, pitting our city's best eateries in direct competition in a foodie bracket challenge. We did pizza, we've done Italian beef, we've done Chicago dogs. This year, we're taking flight with wings.
It has been several weeks since West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, Illinois, abruptly shut down — and then on Wednesday, it just as swiftly partially reopened, with some services available.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 80% of deaths related to pregnancy are preventable, and Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.
The United States has long struggled with understanding and finding ways to help treat mental illness. A new documentary, which is screening Saturday in Chicago, examines the reality of living with mental illness in America.
Allergy season is here, and the dreaded pollen can trigger sneezing, congestion, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Northwestern Medicine and the American Red Cross teamed up for a community blood drive in Chicago on Monday morning.
A new restaurant has joined the busy stretch of Halsted Street toward the south end of Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood that is also home to Alinea and Boka.
The federal government is suing Illinois, Connecticut and Arizona over efforts to regulate prediction market operators such as Kalshi and Polymarket.
The owners of the popular Uncommon Ground restaurant, live music venue, and brewery in Chicago's Wrigleyville community announced this week that they're looking for a successor to take over the business.
Chicago consistently ranks in the top three cities in Fortune 500 company headquarters, and now a competition has been launched to build on Chicago's power in business.
The flagship Ann Sather restaurant on Belmont Avenue in Chicago's Lakeview community will be moving later this year, a restaurant representative said Tuesday.
Blues icon and world music pioneer Taj Mahal will be headlining the Chicago Blues Festival this June.
The United States has long struggled with understanding and finding ways to help treat mental illness. A new documentary, which is screening Saturday in Chicago, examines the reality of living with mental illness in America.
Afrika Bambaataa, a rapper and producer, was best known for breakthrough tracks like 1982's "Planet Rock" and for founding the Universal Zulu Nation art collective.
Mozart's "Don Giovanni," the local premiere of the 2022 opera "Omar," and a fresh production of "Guys and Dolls" are among the highlights of the 2026-2027 season for Chicago's Lyric Opera.
Federal magistrate Renee Harris Toliver told Pooh Sheisty that the evidence against him is strong.
South Sider turned Nashville country singer Kelly Daniels is set to release a new album. He joins us again for a live performance.
The program will be for Morgan Park High School students to learn about different careers within the aviation industry.
A New York jury ruled on Wednesday that Live Nation and its Ticketmaster unit operated as an illegal monopoly, handing dozens of states an important legal win against the ticketing giant.
Starting your garden this spring? Here are some tips from Chalet Home + Garden.
Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife and then turned the gun on himself in a murder-suicide in their home in Annandale, Virginia, police said Thursday.
A man was shot and killed after a struggle with Illinois State Police in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood on Wednesday night.
A 16-year-old boy who died after being shot in Woodlawn Wednesday afternoon has been identified as a student at nearby Hyde Park Academy High School.
A new program is seeking to get more Chicago Public Schools students into the aviation industry.
The City of Chicago on Thursday kicked off bus tours as part of its new reparations initiative.
A long-planned redevelopment of the former Lathrop Homes public housing development along the North Branch of the Chicago River is finally set to move forward.
Some parents in southwest suburban Oswego are fired up, saying the school district invited all non-white students to participate in summer remedial programming, regardless of how they're doing in school.
New proposed Illinois legislation would allow renters or people who can't install massive rooftop panels to also harness the power of the sun.
When a rusty light pole snapped and fell on a woman's car in Bucktown, causing thousands of dollars in damage, she thought the city would pay for it. She was wrong.
Financial exploitation is the leading type of elder abuse in Illinois. One Streamwood woman learned that personally, when her brother took hundreds of thousands of dollars from their parents' financial accounts.
One year after a teenage girl was shot outside her home in Country Club Hills, Illinois, and was told she would never walk again, she continued to defy the odds and reclaim her independence.
The Blackhawks won four of their last 15 games and three of their last 11 home games, but finished with 72 points, 11 more than last season.
Nico Hoerner drove in a career-high five runs, Shota Imanaga struck out 11 in six strong innings and the Chicago Cubs routed the Philadelphia Phillies 11-2 on Wednesday night.
Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Noah Schultz had an uneven major league debut in a start against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night after being recalled from Triple-A Charlotte.
Ben Williamson doubled twice and drove in three runs as Tampa Bay spoiled the major league debut of White Sox starter Nick Schultz.
Carson Kelly hit a three-run homer, Colin Rea pitched six strong innings and the Chicago Cubs rallied to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 10-4 on Tuesday night.
Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife and then turned the gun on himself what police described as a murder-suicide in their home in Annandale, Virginia, police said Thursday.
Chicago police on Wednesday issued an expanded community alert about a rash of incidents in which thieves broke into vehicles and stole construction equipment in and around downtown Chicago.
Chicago police on Wednesday asked the public to help them find three men who stole items from four work vans early this past Monday morning, and tried to carjack one of the vans' owners at gunpoint.
Less than 24 hours after a crash-and-grab ATM burglary at a BP station in River North, there have been two more such burglaries in Chicago — one on the Northwest Side, the other on the South.
The widow and son of late Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer were found shot to death on Chicago's West Side on Tuesday in an apparent murder-suicide.
