Democrat Juliana Stratton will represent Illinois in the U.S. Senate after defeating Republican Don Tracy on Tuesday, Nov. 3, The Associated Press reported.
Lake Forest and Lake Bluff voters cast ballots in the race alongside contests for the 10th Congressional District, Lake County sheriff, Lake Forest alderpersons in all four wards and a proposed 1% countywide school sales tax, according to the Lake County Clerk's Office.
The AP declared Stratton the winner at 8 p.m. EST, according to an AP wire report carried by KWQC. The Chicago Tribune reported the call came less than a minute after polls closed.
Strong turnout in Lake County
Election judges at the Gorton Center in Lake Forest said the number of people voting by 9:30 a.m. rivaled past years, the Chicago Tribune reported in its Lake County turnout coverage.
"It was busy; as busy as a presidential election," Jennifer Leventhal, a judge at the Gorton Center, said.
Nearly 180,000 people had voted across Lake County by early Tuesday afternoon, pushing total turnout past 38% when early voting and mail ballots were included, according to the County Clerk's website, the Tribune reported. Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega said he was pleased with the morning and early afternoon numbers after visiting polling places throughout the county.
Lindy Trigg of Lake Forest told the Tribune she voted because she wanted "people who are there for the common good." Neal Laabs of Lake Forest expressed disappointment in the number of uncontested races on the ballot, the Tribune reported.
What the seat means
Stratton, the state's lieutenant governor, will succeed Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat retiring after five terms, according to the AP report. Durbin announced in 2025 that he would not seek another term, the Herald-Whig reported. He first won the seat in 1996.
For the first time in 30 years, Illinois will not have a senator named Durbin, Axios reported.
Republicans hold a 53-47 Senate majority, and both parties are battling for control of the chamber in the midterms, according to Axios. Stratton will be the second Black woman to serve Illinois in the Senate, according to the AP report. She was twice elected lieutenant governor as Gov. JB Pritzker's running mate and had Pritzker's endorsement in a contentious Democratic primary.
Early returns
As of 8:10 p.m., with 19% of the estimated vote counted, Stratton had 66.9% and Tracy had 31.8%, the Chicago Tribune reported. Under Illinois law, eligible ballots can continue to be received and counted for up to 14 days after Election Day, NBC Chicago reported. Results reported before counting and certification are complete remain unofficial.
American Center Party candidate Whitfield Harrington Jr. also appeared on the ballot, according to ABC 7 Chicago.
Where they differed
Affordability was the top issue for both leading candidates, NBC Chicago reported, but they disagreed on causes and solutions. Stratton called for raising the federal minimum wage to $25 an hour, according to ABC 7. Tracy pointed to state costs and lingering inflation from the Biden administration, NBC Chicago reported.
The candidates split on immigration. Stratton supports abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while Tracy favors stronger border enforcement, according to Axios. They also disagreed on Supreme Court reform, federal abortion protections and gun restrictions.
Tracy ran a relatively quiet general election campaign, the Chicago Tribune reported. His campaign did not hold an election night party.
What else was on the ballot locally
Lake Forest and Lake Bluff sit in Illinois' 10th Congressional District, where U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider faced Republican Carl Lambrecht, according to Patch. The district covers portions of Cook, Lake and McHenry counties, Patch reported.
Lake County voters also weighed a proposed 1% sales tax for school facility improvements, security and mental health professionals, according to Patch.
Official results will be posted at the Illinois State Board of Elections website once counting and certification are complete.
