 The race between Springfield-area Republican state Sen. Sam McCann and
challenger Bryce Benton was seen as a battle between public-sector unions and
Gov. Bruce Rauner, and about $4 million was spent on the race. McCann ran afoul
of his party after he voted for a controversial bill backed by AFSCME Council
31.
In Chicago, more than $6 million was spent on the Democratic primary for the 5th
House District, making it one of the most expensive representative races in
state history. Incumbent Kenneth Dunkin was lampooned by his fellow Democrats
for siding with the governor on key votes. His Madigan-backed opponent, Juliana
Stratton, was even endorsed by President Barack Obama. She unseated the
incumbent with more than two-thirds of the vote.
In the Senate, Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth will face incumbent Republican Mark
Kirk after each handily won their primaries.
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 In Cook County, newcomer Kim Foxx handily unseated State’s
Attorney Anita Alvarez in a contest many saw as a referendum on
Alvarez’s handling of the Laquan McDonald case. The Chicago Police
officer who shot McDonald 16 times was not charged with his murder
until more than a year later.
In congressional races, Southern Illinois state Sen. Kyle McCarter
lost in his bid to unseat incumbent Congressman John Shimkus in the
15th District. Former congressman Brad Schneider will face incumbent
Republican Robert Dold in the hotly contested 10th Congressional
District. And suburban Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi won a three-way
race in the 8th Congressional District to replace Tammy Duckworth,
who is running for U.S. Senate.
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