Election Day Live Blog!
Polls are open.
7:00 p.m. - The polls are now closed. Anyone still in line can still cast their ballot. We’ll be keeping an eye out for results as they start to be reported.
6:20p.m.- Low turnout in the city would be a Godsend for the Bailey campaign.
6:15p.m.- 11th District Congressional candidate Catalina Lauf voting today. Hearing lots of rumbling about this race potentially flipping.
6:00p.m.- This is strange. Apparently, the Champaign County Clerk (Democrat Aaron Ammons) claimed their election system is enduring a cyber attack today. But, according to Axios Cybersecurity reporter Sam Sabin, the Cybersecurity and Infrasturce Security Agency (CISA) says there is no such attack.
5:45p.m.- Missed this earlier when I was doing a radio hit. AFL-CIO President Tim Drea on the Worker’s Rights Amendment:
“We are seeing high turnout at the polls and hearing positive turnout from voters,” he said. “We are looking forward to seeing the final results come in tonight and feel like we are in a strong position based on the enthusiasm we are hearing across the state.”
5:06p.m.- From a Dem source: “Any Democrat who tells you it's going to be a good night isn't reading the room.”
4:30p.m.- Just heard from Nikki Budzinski, the Democrat in the 13th Congressional district race. She just finished a seven county sprint through her sprawling district today. “I’m feeling good,” she said. “It’s [been] a lot of fun with lots of good energy.”
4:05p.m.- Speaking of tight races, just heard from Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau, who is taking on Democratic Congressman Sean Casten (D-Downers Grove) in the newly drawn 6th district. He says he’s optimistic.
“We’re looking forward to a good night,” he said. We wouldn’t be here without the help of hundreds of friends and supporters who worked so hard going door to door, putting up signs, or even pollwatching today. I’m truly grateful for everyone who volunteered or donated to get us across the finish line.”
3:45p.m.- Just talked to Republican Scott Gryder, the Kendall County Board Chairman and 14th District congressional candidate. He’s in a race with Democratic Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville) that has closed considerably in recent days. “I feel great,” said Gryder, who said he just took his daughter with him to vote.
3:05p.m.- Gov. Pritzker voting this morning in Old Town.
2:00p.m.- Depending on how things go for Republicans tonight, McLaughlin could be in the mix for House GOP Leader.
12:45p.m.- Appellate Justice Mary K. O’Brien is in a dogfight with incumbent Supreme Court Justice Michael Burke.
12:30p.m.- Chicago turnout update:
12:00p.m.- GOP Senate nominee Kathy Salvi votes this morning in Mundelein.
11:45a.m.- What have we told you guys about giving politicians sugar on Election Day?
10:35a.m.- A couple of our stories from the morning:
Ten Things I’m Watching on Election Day
10:25a.m.- Early vote data:
10:15a.m.- Gov. Pritzker shaking hands with voters on the south side this morning.
10:00a.m.- Democratic congressional candidate Eric Sorensen, state House candidate Gregg Johnson, Senate candidate Rep. Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island) and outgoing Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-Moline) campaigning in the Quad Cities this morning.
9:45a.m.- Congressman Bill Foster (D-Naperville) in Geneva this morning. The 11th district is one of the races to watch tonight.
…and Democratic nominee in the downstate 13th District, Nikki Budzinski, repping an Illini Democrats t-shirt as she’s headed to Champaign-Urbana.
9:30a.m.- GOP Secretary of State nominee Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) voting this morning.
9:05a.m.- How did the candidates for Governor spend their final day of the campaign? Governor JB Pritzker did a fly around hitting union halls across the state. Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) had a strange, combative press conference/rally on vaccine mandates.
8:50a.m.- The great Mary Ann Ahern of NBC 5 was chasing down Gov. Pritzker and Democratic Secretary of State nominee Alexi Giannoulias this morning.
8:15a.m.- Here’s this morning’s newsletter with ten things I’m watching and the old campaign worker adage “what are you hearing?” https://theillinoize.substack.com/p/the-illinoize-election-dayby-the
6:00a.m.- Good morning. Polls are open. Drop us a note with what you’re seeing and hearing out there. If there’s a line at your poll, take a picture and send it to me at patrick@theillinoize.com. Let’s go!
