Illinois voters head to the polls again on March 19 for the state primary, with candidates appearing on the ballot for president, Congress, Illinois General Assembly, Illinois Supreme Court and local races.
The Tribune editorial board continues its decades-long tradition of endorsing political candidates appearing on Illinois ballots. More endorsements in local, state and federal races will be rolled out in coming days. Prior to election day, we’ll also offer our “bedsheet ballot,” allowing voters who wish to take our endorsements with them into the voting booth.
Below are the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board‘s endorsements for the 2024 primary. This list will be updated as endorsements are published.
Cook County State’s Attorney: Eileen O’Neill Burke
Central to the candidacy of Eileen O’Neill Burke, a former prosecutor, defense attorney and judge who comes off as tough and determined, is the notion that the office of the Cook County State’s Attorney is a vessel that has teetered too far to the port side when it comes to delivering justice and keeping Chicagoans and suburbanites safe. O’Neill Burke said she is dedicating to righting that high-profile ship, should she get to replace its controversial current captain, Kim Foxx. Read the full endorsement.
Cook County Circuit Court clerk: Mariyana Spyropoulos
Given the office’s lack of glamour and given our county’s history, it’s no surprise that the post has been a particularly fertile source of corruption. In the scandal-tarred Circuit Court clerk’s office, appearances matter more than they ordinarily do in public life. Mariyana Spyropoulos understands that and has made ethics a central plank in her campaign. She told us she would mandate ethics training for this huge office’s 1,400 staffers. Read the full endorsement.
Cook County Board of Review 3rd District: Larecia Tucker
Larry Rogers Jr., a commissioner since 2004, is running for reelection. His challenger is Larecia Tucker, who works in the Rich Township assessor’s office as a clerk and has lived in the south suburbs all her life. Tucker says she hasn’t — and won’t — accept donations from property tax lawyers. She’s clearly qualified, working in an assessor’s office and having obtained the Certified Illinois Assessing Officer designation. She was a real estate agent in her previous career. Read the full endorsement.
U.S. Congress
1st District Republican: Montelle Gaji
4th District Democrat: Raymond Lopez
6th District Democrat: Sean Casten
7th District Democrat: Danny Davis
11th District Democrat: Bill Foster
11th District Republican: O Kent Mercado
12th District Republican: Mike Bost
13th District Republican: Joshua Loyd
14th District Republican: No endorsement
17th District Republican: Joe McGraw
Chicago’s proposed real estate tax increase
The proposed question asking Chicagoans to approve a big increase in the real-estate transfer tax has been kicked off the March ballot. The editorial board endorses voting NO if it returns. Read the full endorsement.