Illinois’ 12th Congressional District House Race 2026

The Trump administration's May 2025 shutdown of the VA Servicing Purchase (VASP) program, which had let struggling veterans roll missed mortgage payments into a new loan at a low fixed rate, has left thousands facing sharply higher payments. An NPR investigation found more than 15,000 veterans who got loan modifications after VASP ended saw payments rise by at least $150 a month, with over 700 facing increases of $1,000 or more — far higher rates than for conventional Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans. Industry groups had warned the VA against ending VASP without a replacement ready. A new Partial Claim Program launched over a year later, but it does not help veterans already stuck in costlier modified loans, and foreclosures on VA loans have since hit a 10-year high.

The arrest of Jose Fiscal Belli, a longtime resident of Paris, Illinois, has drawn attention to the ongoing standoff between the Trump administration's immigration enforcement push and Illinois' sanctuary policies. Fiscal Belli, who came to the U.S. at 16, built a life in the heavily Republican downstate community—running a restaurant, raising four children, and volunteering as a police translator—before being detained following a parking infraction. His case has galvanized local fundraisers and appeals for his release.

Gov. JB Pritzker has said violent undocumented criminals should be deported, but Illinois has not amended its TRUST Act, which requires ICE to obtain a federal judicial warrant before local cooperation. Polling shows broad support for border enforcement but resistance to deporting non-violent, established residents like Fiscal Belli, exposing a gap between public sentiment and political rigidity on both sides.

Candidates seeking to succeed retiring Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García in Illinois' 4th Congressional District clashed in a televised debate, with three challengers accusing Democratic nominee Patty García of benefiting from insider maneuvering. García, the congressman's former chief of staff, faced no primary opposition after García announced his retirement just before the filing deadline, giving her sole advance notice to gather signatures for the ballot. She defended the outcome as a reflection of her organizing strength.

Independent candidate Chris Getty, the mayor of Lyons and her best-funded rival, said he would not caucus with either party and accused García of building her candidacy on "a lie." García countered by citing a 2019 FBI raid on Lyons Village Hall and alleged misuse of campaign funds, though Getty was never charged. Republican nominee Lupe Castillo and Working Class Party candidate Ed Hershey also participated, sparring over immigration, the minimum wage, and the Iran war. García positioned herself as a progressive who would fight Trump and push to abolish ICE.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is committing $20 million through his PAC, Ready for the Fight, to influence the 2026 midterm elections, according to Politico. The effort targets down-ballot races, including attempts to flip Republican-leaning seats held by Reps. Max Miller (R-Ohio) and Brandon Herrera (R-Texas), whom the PAC has criticized over past controversies. Pritzker argues Democrats must contest races beyond traditional battlegrounds amid an ongoing affordability crisis.

The billionaire governor, currently seeking a third term in a race rated "solid Democrat," has increasingly built a national profile, fueling speculation about a potential 2028 presidential bid. His bus tour appearances flanked by American flags rather than state flags have added to that speculation, as has a planned trip to Dallas to counter a Republican midterm convention.

Pritzker joins other Democratic governors—including Gavin Newsom, Andy Beshear, and Gretchen Whitmer—who have launched PACs seen as early groundwork for potential future presidential campaigns.

Illinois' 2nd Congressional District, stretching from Chicago's South Side through the south suburbs to Kankakee and Danville, is holding an open-seat race after Democrat Robin Kelly, who held the seat since 2012, gave it up for an unsuccessful Senate bid. Democrat Donna Miller, a Cook County commissioner and former healthcare executive, won her primary over candidates including former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. Republican Mike Noack, a truck driver making his first political run, is campaigning on government dysfunction and immigration reform. Independent write-in candidate Ashley Banks, a former CTA bus driver and freelance journalist, says she entered the race to give downstate and rural voters a stronger voice. Early voting is underway ahead of Election Day on Nov. 3.

Former U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, a centrist Democrat, is seeking a political comeback in Illinois' 8th Congressional District, facing Republican newcomer Jennifer Davis in the Nov. 3 general election. The seat is open after Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who has endorsed Bean, left to run unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate. An independent write-in candidate, Christopher Krumpac, is also running.

The district, which stretches from the northwest Chicago suburbs to Elgin and the Fox River Valley, leans solidly Democratic. Bean, who first won the seat in 2004 and served until 2011, has outraised Davis, aided in part by a super PAC tied to AIPAC that drew progressive criticism during the primary. Davis, a tech entrepreneur making her first run for office, has loaned her own campaign $1 million to stay competitive.

The candidates diverge sharply on abortion, immigration, and Trump-era policies, with Bean casting the race as a check on the administration and Davis positioning herself as a political outsider focused on small business and economic concerns.

Illinois voters head to the polls Nov. 3 to fill an open U.S. Senate seat and decide contests for governor, attorney general, secretary of state, comptroller and treasurer. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton faces Republican Don Tracy for the Senate seat being vacated by Dick Durbin. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, running with new lieutenant governor pick Christian Mitchell, seeks a third term in a rematch against Darren Bailey, who has Donald Trump's endorsement and running mate Aaron Del Mar.

Incumbent Attorney General Kwame Raoul faces Republican Bob Fioretti, while Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, now also running for Chicago mayor, is challenged by Republican Diane Harris. With Comptroller Susana Mendoza not seeking re-election amid her own mayoral bid, Democrat Margaret Croke and Republican Bryan Drew are competing for that office. Treasurer Mike Frerichs seeks re-election against Republican Max Solomon. The races will shape state policy on taxes, spending oversight, abortion access and Illinois' relationship with the Trump administration, with early and mail voting available ahead of Election Day.

Jim Durkin, who led Illinois House Republicans for nearly a decade before retiring in 2023, announced he is backing Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker over GOP nominee Darren Bailey in the governor's race. Durkin, who served alongside Bailey in Springfield, said Bailey's politics are about "exclusion over inclusion" and "subtraction over addition." Conservatives have previously faulted Durkin for working closely with Democrats and criticizing President Trump.

Illinois GOP Chairman Bob Grogan pushed back, defending Bailey and attacking Pritzker's record on taxes, immigration and spending. Bailey's running mate, Aaron Del Mar, dismissed Durkin's endorsement as self-serving, suggesting it was tied to Durkin's lobbying business or ambitions for a future appointment, and recalled friction from Durkin's House caucus supporting a major income tax increase.

Separately, the Democratic Party of Illinois filed a state elections complaint alleging Bailey failed to report free rent on a Chicago apartment used for campaign purposes, calling it an undisclosed contribution. The Bailey campaign called the complaint a politically motivated distraction.

Illinois voters will decide a slate of statewide races in the 2026 midterms. Gov. JB Pritzker, seeking a third term, faces Republican Darren Bailey and independent Collin Corbett. Attorney General Kwame Raoul, who has filed numerous lawsuits against the Trump administration over federal funding cuts, faces Republican Bob Fioretti. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, also eyeing a 2027 Chicago mayoral bid, faces Republican Diane M. Harris. Comptroller Susana Mendoza is retiring to run for Chicago mayor, leaving Democratic state Rep. Margaret Croke against Republican Bryan Drew. A special legislative race pits appointed Rep. Jessica Dixon Heitman against Republican Gabby Shanahan, following Harry Benton's resignation amid harassment allegations.