Given the vast amount of attention dedicated to the presidential race, many voters overlook the dozens of other contests on their ballot. After filling in the bubble for preferred national candidates that are more well-known, it can be tempting to call it a day. In reality, these races are only a small fraction of the contests up for election—ones that can have a real and immediate impact on peoples’ lives. Don’t be surprised when you show up to vote, as you’ll find three other categories to vote on.

Ballot Measures

In this election cycle, voters have three advisory questions to answer. The outcome of the questions provides lawmakers with public opinion on hot-topic issues, helping inform their decisions on what policies to endorse or introduce. These questions ask for the voter’s opinion, but the results are not binding. 

• Assisted Reproductive Healthcare: The question posed is whether or not healthcare insurance that covers any sort of pregnancy benefits should also help in cases of assisted reproduction treatments, like in vitro fertilization without limitations on the number of treatments. Currently, only group insurers and Health Maintenance Organizations that provide pregnancy benefits are required to provide infertility treatments. 
• Income Tax: This question asks voters whether the state should increase income tax by 3% on incomes greater than $1 million. The new influx in tax revenue would be used to relieve property tax on lower-income households. However, there is no specific proposed plan for achieving that. Currently, Illinois has a flat personal tax rate of 4.95%.
• Penalties for Candidate Interference with Election Workers’ Duties: This question asks whether the state government should establish civil penalties for candidates who appear on Illinois ballots if they interfere with or attempt to interfere with election workers’ official duties. 

State Races

New Trier Township is part of four State House districts, all of which are on the ballot this year.

• District 17: In this district, which includes portions of Glenview and southern Wilmette, incumbent Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D) faces Jim Geldermann (R). Gong-Gershowitz was first elected in 2018 and last won re-election in 2022, winning 71% of the vote.
• District 18: The bulk of New Trier Township resides in this district, which spans along the coast through Wilmette and includes all of Kenilworth and Winnetka. Incumbent Robyn Gabel (D) has served since 2010 and is challenged by Charles Hutchinson (R), who Gabel beat 81-19% in 2022.
• District 57: This district covers parts of Wilmette, Northfield, and Glencoe. Incumbent Jonathan Carroll (D), who won with 64% in 2022, is not seeking re-election. Running to succeed him are Tracy Katz Muhl (D) and Daniel Behr (R).
• District 58: Finally, the 58th includes the northern half of Glencoe. Incumbent Bob Morgan (D) is running for a fourth term and faces challenger Carl Lambrecht (R).

To learn more about your district, these races, and the candidates, we suggest finding the candidates’ websites and other sources like Ballotpedia.

On your ballot, you will notice that the largest segment is judges, for seats on the Illinois Supreme Court, Illinois Appellate Court, and the Cook County Circuit Court. While there are too many races to list, we recommend using the guide compiled by Injustice Watch, a nonprofit newsroom that has created judicial election guides since 2016. Injustice Watch does not issue endorsements but it compiles information on judges’ past decisions, experience, and endorsements. Their guide can also be used as a reference when you vote.

Local Races

In addition to the local judges, other elected positions in Cook County are up for election.

• Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court: This position oversees managing documents, records, fines, and fees, and working with the hundreds of judges in Chicago. The candidates running are the following: Mariyana Syropoulos (D), Lupe Aguirre (R), and Michael Murphy (L). Syropoulos, a Metropolitan Water Reclamation District commissioner, defeated incumbent Democrat Iris Martinez in the Democratic primary. Aguirre is a real estate attorney and former police officer who lost the election for Cook County sheriff in 2022.
• Cook County State’s Attorney: This position serves as Illinois’ district attorney for Cook County, the second-largest prosecutor’s office in the nation. Eileen O’Neill Burke (D) is a retired appellate judge who is looking to prosecute crime and turn the page on the policies of current State’s Attorney Kim Foxx. Her main opponent, Bob Fioretti (R), is a longtime civil rights attorney and former Chicago City councilman who has prioritized prosecuting violent criminals and working with law enforcement on illegal immigration. Andrew Kopinski (L) is also running.
• Water Reclamation District Seats: These lesser-known roles oversee a budget of $1.4 billion for managing flooding, wastewater, and waterways. There are three seats up for re-election, so make sure to vote for three of the following candidates: incumbents Marcelino Garcia (D) and Kari Steele (D), and candidates Sharon Waller (D), Claire Connelly (R), Richard Dale (R), Brendan Ehlers (R), and Toneal Jackson (G). There is also a special election for the district between appointed incumbent Precious Brady-Davis (D) and challenger R. Gary Capparelli (R).