Chicago Election Begins Taking Shape As First Candidates File Petitions
The first day of candidate filings for the city elections in February gave some early indications about the various races, but can't tell the whole story.
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The first day of candidate filings for the city elections in February gave some early indications about the various races, but can't tell the whole story.
A Chicago election official has been fired in the aftermath of a contentious election that has resulted in a criminal probe of disruptive robocalls and complaints about "irregularities" in handling ballots in the state treasurer's race. A spokesman declined to say why the person was fired, saying it was a personnel issue.
Regardless of whether Gov. Pat Quinn concedes the race to Bruce Rauner anytime soon, it will be days before an official count confirms who won the race for Illinois governor.
At Welles Park, there were 50 people still in line at 2 a.m., having waited at least seven hours to cast their ballots. At one point, the gym was transformed into a makeshift holding area to accommodate waiting voters.
Chicago Board of Election Commissioners Chairman Langdon Neal said at least one precinct in all 50 wards had a problem with election judges not showing up, and the city had to enlist the help of 250 standby judges.
Need help locating your polling place or finding a sample ballot? We've got links to the information you need.
"Overall, for us in suburban Cook, 169,000-plus have already voted," Cook County Clerk David Orr said. "That's a 53 percent increase over 2010."
"There is an intent to try to disrupt the orderly administration of the election," Chicago Board of Election Commissioners Chairman Langdon Neal said.
With less than two weeks until Illinois' high-stakes elections, an attorney general opinion has some officials rethinking vote-counting procedures in ways that they say could cause big delays in announcing results.
Voter turnout in Chicago was extremely low on Tuesday, with about 4 percent of eligible voters casting a ballot as of noon, according to data from the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.
Election judges would no longer have to find a voter's name in a massive binder on Election Day.
Shortly before the polls closed Tuesday, State Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) filed a challenge to the results in the 21st District Illinois House race, alleging fraud by election judges.
It appears that if you don't have a lot of voters, you don't have a lot of problems.
Chicago election officials say they have 500 different ballots ready to go, and they are hoping that the ballots get used in the primary Tuesday.
With Illinois a player in the Republican primary election for the first time in decades, the number of voters asking for a GOP ballot is up, but election officials still expect low turnout overall.
With voter registrations still on the low side, local elections officials are debating whether it should be easier for people to register.
Even though it's Presidents Day and most government offices are closed, voters can still cast an early ballot in Chicago's mayoral primary.
A hearing is underway at the Chicago Board of Elections, on more than two dozen challenges to Rahm Emanuel's spot on the Chicago mayoral ballot, among other filings.
If candidates in Chicago's municipal elections want to knock the competition off the ballot, 69 West Washington is the place to be for the next several days.
Chicago police are investigating three armed robberies at fast food restaurants on Tuesday morning.
The Obama Presidential Center sits towering and shining new on the South Side. But down Stony Island Avenue, four addresses show the neighborhood's contrasts, the scars disinvestment has left and the promising new future being built around the new landmark.
The council members say the Johnson administration signed an NDA, which limits what they can tell the public.
Prosecutors allege the suspects robbed a home in Warren, Michigan, killing two people in December 2024.
Donald Trump was booed loudly by fans inside Madison Square Garden when he was shown on video screens during the national anthem prior to Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday.
Donald Trump was booed loudly by fans inside Madison Square Garden when he was shown on video screens during the national anthem prior to Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday.
Currently acting attorney general, Todd Blanche may face an uphill confirmation battle from some wary Republican senators.
U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin ruled in favor of a group of 20 states that challenged President Trump's new $100,000 visa fee.
Despite local hopes to rebuild Logan Correctional Center in its original Lincoln location, the Illinois Department of Corrections announced its plans to build a women's facility in Crest Hill, near Joliet.
President Trump abruptly ended an interview with NBC News when repeatedly challenged on his claims of election fraud
An Illinois law banning "swipe fees" on taxes and tips — already delayed twice by lawmakers — appears to be on life support after a federal judge that once permitted it issued a permanent injunction against it this week.
A new study from the Cook County Treasurer's office underlines growing concerns about the impact the Illinois megaprojects bill could have on the county's property tax base and overall fiscal health.
As thousands of Chicagoans wrap up road trips over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, gas prices in the city have reached the highest levels seen in four years.
Consumer and environmental advocates said Monday that they found overcharges buried in the most recent rate-hike request by Nicor.
One week away from Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of the summer travel season, with gas prices remaining high, negotiations were set to resume Monday at the largest oil refinery in the Midwest.
Dr. Peter Stafford was working with a missionary group in the Congo when he came down with the virus last month.
While 330 Ebola infections are confirmed in central Africa and huge challenges remain, hundreds more suspected cases "have been cleared out," the WHO says.
June is World Infertility Awareness Month, and Northwestern Medicine on Monday shared the story of a woman who is celebrating the birth of her second child after a tumor disrupted her fertility.
The Centennial Park Aquatic Center in the southwest Chicago suburb of Orland Park has been closed to the public after two recent cases of E. coli infection.
Menopause can feel like a major turning point for millions of women, with symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog can make women feel like their bodies aren't their own.
Walgreens is set to close in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood on Thursday, and there's growing concern about where families will get their medications.
The owners of Gene & Georgetti steakhouse are suing a concessions operator over their expansion at Midway International Airport.
DraftKings announced Monday that it is closing its sportsbook operation at Wrigley Field after only about two years.
After more than 80 years, there will be no Ann Sather restaurant location in the 900 block of West Belmont Avenue in Chicago's Lakeview community, effective in June.
Flight attendants at Chicago-based United Airlines have approved a new labor contract, marking their first pay increases in six years.
Visitors will soon be able to check out the set from CBS' "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" in Chicago, at the Museum of Broadcast Communications.
"Schmigadoon!" — which was tied for the most nominations, with 12 — won Best Musical, and "Liberation" took home the honor of Best Play at the 2026 Tony Awards.
Anthony Head played librarian and mentor Rupert Giles in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and recently appeared in "Ted Lasso."
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is on the cover of Madden NFL 27, the first Bear ever to grace the primary cover of the massively popular video game.
Peabo Bryson, a two-time Grammy-winning singer and songwriter known for Disney movie hits "Beauty and the Beast" and "A Whole New World," has died at age 75.
Armed men stole cash registers after entering a Wendy's drive-thru in Lincoln Park early Tuesday morning.
Meteorologist Laura Bannon has the extended forecast.
Parents are often told to wait until their children hit the teen years to give them their first phone, as research continues to roll in showing health worries tied to young people’s social media habits.
It was the sixth year for the event, emceed by our CBS Chicago’s own Suzanne Le Mignot at Shore Acres Golf Club. The money raised supports paws pet rescue mission.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved inhaled insulin for children with diabetes—the first needle-free option for kids.
The forecast for a summer reopening of West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park is growing cloudy, as negotiations continue between the owners and landlord, after the safety net hospital abruptly shuttered its doors in March.
Chicago police are investigating three armed robberies at fast food restaurants on Tuesday morning.
The Obama Presidential Center sits towering and shining new on the South Side. But down Stony Island Avenue, four addresses show the neighborhood's contrasts, the scars disinvestment has left and the promising new future being built around the new landmark.
The council members say the Johnson administration signed an NDA, which limits what they can tell the public.
Prosecutors allege the suspects robbed a home in Warren, Michigan, killing two people in December 2024.
The forecast for a summer reopening of West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park is growing cloudy, as negotiations continue between the owners and landlord, after the safety net hospital abruptly shuttered its doors in March.
The Obama Presidential Center has been built with sustainability literally in its foundation. But its infrastructure for clean energy, environmentalism and climate change resiliency will also help the communities around it on Chicago's South Side.
A driver in Carol Stream says a band of hungry squirrels caused nearly $30,000 in damage to three different luxury vehicles because of plant-based parts they view as a tasty snack.
Legislation protecting Illinois customers receiving professional massages from sexual assaults and harassment is now on its way to Gov. JB Pritzker for his signature.
Could banning cell phones make Illinois classrooms better places to learn? State lawmakers are betting on it, sending a bill to Gov. JB Pritzker's desk to do exactly that.
Two members of Iraq's World Cup delegation were detained at O'Hare International Airport late Friday night. One of them was sent back home.
Team owner Cherie Travis came up with the playful name, which was inspired by the city's cold winters.
Two-time Gold Glove shortstop Dansby Swanson was held out of the Cubs' starting lineup for a second straight game.
Brandon Marsh homered for the third straight day and drove in two runs as the Phillies beat the White Sox in South Philly.
Stacey King, who played on the first three NBA Champion Chicago Bulls teams with Michael Jordan in the 1990s, has died.
Prosecutors allege the suspects robbed a home in Warren, Michigan, killing two people in December 2024.
An Illinois investment advisor has been indicted by a grand jury on charges that he swindled his clients in a Ponzi scheme.
One person was arrested after a pickup truck struck an Illinois State Police squad car in Chicago's Grand Crossing community early Monday.
Chicago police early Monday were investigating a stabbing that left a man dead in the Auburn Gresham community.
A man is dead after police said he was shot multiple times in the West Garfield Park neighborhood on Chicago's West Side.
