Illinois voters will decide five open Democratic nominations on Tuesday, including the U.S. Senate seat vacated by retiring Sen. Dick Durbin and four House seats around Chicago. The Senate primary pits Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi against Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton and Rep. Robin Kelly, sparking a debate over racial representation and party unity.

Four House contests attracted an unprecedented $32 million in super‑PAC money, with AI, crypto firms and AIPAC‑linked groups competing for influence. Krishnamoorthi entered the Senate race with a roughly $30 million war chest, while Stratton received a boost from a super PAC funded by Governor J.B. Pritzker, signaling the governor’s stake in a potential 2028 presidential bid.

Former congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. re‑entered the race for Rep. Robin Kelly’s former seat, facing County Commissioner Donna Miller who leads a new AIPAC‑linked super PAC with **$4.