Illinois held its general election on November 5, 2024, deciding 138 legislative seats. No chamber changed party control.
Highlights
- Nothing moved in Springfield. No seat changed party hands in either chamber and not a single sitting legislator was defeated, so Democrats kept their three-fifths supermajorities, 78-40 in the House and 40-19 in the Senate, enough to override vetoes and put bills into effect immediately without Republican votes.
- The suspense was confined to four House races that finished inside two points, and in every one the party holding the seat kept it:
- House District 52 (Barrington Hills): Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R) beat Maria Peterson (D) by 47 votes on the final count, the closest legislative race in the state; Illinois has no automatic recount. McLaughlin raised under $300,000 against more than $3 million in Democratic Party support for Peterson, who had lost a 2022 Senate race by 385 votes.
- House District 47 (Wheaton): Rep. Amy Grant (R) held off Jackie Williamson (D) by fewer than 300 votes.
- House District 76 (Ottawa): Amy Briel (D) kept the seat retiring Rep. Lance Yednock (D) left open, edging Liz Bishop (R).
- House District 104 (Champaign): Rep. Brandun Schweizer (R) held on over Jarrett Clem (D) by fewer than 300 votes.
- Voters also answered three advisory questions, all in the affirmative: civil penalties for candidates who interfere with election workers drew about nine in ten yes votes, insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization about seven in ten, and a 3 percent surtax on income above $1 million to fund property tax relief about six in ten. None carries any legal weight.
- Across the 138 legislative races, 66 seats drew a single candidate; no seat changed parties, no incumbent was defeated, and only the four races above finished inside two points.
Legislature
- House (118 seats): 78 D, 40 R before the election, 78 D, 40 R after; control stayed with Democrats.
- Senate (59 seats): 40 D, 19 R before the election, 40 D, 19 R after; control stayed with Democrats.
Legislative races
Ballot measures
| Measure | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Assisted Reproductive Healthcare Advisory Question | Advise state officials on whether to provide for medically assisted reproductive treatments, including in vitro fertilization, to be covered by any health insurance plan in Illinois that provides full coverage to pregnancy benefits. This advisory question was placed on the Illinois 2024 ballot. Voters approved it with 73.0% voting yes. | Passed (73% yes) |
| Income Tax Advisory Question | Advise state officials on whether to amend the Illinois Constitution to create an additional 3% tax on income greater than $1 million for the purpose of dedicating funds to property tax relief. This advisory question was placed on the Illinois 2024 ballot. Voters approved it with 61.0% voting yes. | Passed (61% yes) |
| Penalties for Candidate Interference with Election Worker's Duties Advisory Question | Advise state officials on whether to establish civil penalties if a candidate interferes or attempts to interfere with an election worker's official duties. This advisory question was placed on the Illinois 2024 ballot. Voters approved it with 89.0% voting yes. | Passed (89% yes) |