It is Primary Election Day in the State of Illinois. There are a few local races and, of course, the Presidential Primary races on both sides of the ticket. For the first time in a while, when Illinois holds their Primary in March, the outcomes of the primary today still has major weight in the Presidential Primary. On the Republican side, front runner Donald Trump has had the lead in polls in Illinois, also still in the race are Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and John Kasich. But, for Republicans, you will see 11 names on your ballot today—although seven of the Republican candidates have since dropped out of the race. On the Democrat side, you will see 6 names on your ballot but there are only two in the race—Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Clinton is a Chicago native but polls have shown the race very close in recent days in Illinois.
On the Republican side, voters today in the 15th Congressional District will decide on the primary race between Congressman John Shimkus and State Senator Kyle McCarter—with the winner moving on as the Republican nominee in the November General Election. McCarter is trying to unseat Shimkus, who is vying for an 11th term in Congress. For U.S. Senate, Mark Kirk has a primary challenge from James Marter. There is one local race on the Republican ballot today. In County Board District 5, Republican incumbent Darrell Schaal is challenged by Sarah Whitehead.
On the Democrat side, outside of President there is just one race and that is for U.S. Senate. Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth, State Senator Napoleon Harris and Andrea Zopp are all running for the Democratic nomination.
Meanwhile, our Election Night coverage will get underway—beginning after 8 pm on 107.1 FM WKRV.