Illinois voters head to the polls on November 3, 2026, for an open U.S. Senate seat following Dick Durbin’s retirement. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton secured the Democratic nomination in the March primary with late momentum and support from Gov. JB Pritzker and the Cook County organization, defeating Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi. Former state GOP chair Don Tracy won a fragmented Republican primary. Illinois remains a solidly Democratic state, reflected in limited general-election polling that shows Stratton ahead by double digits and consistent “Safe Democratic” or “Solid Democratic” ratings from forecasters. Trader consensus at 98.2% for Stratton tracks these fundamentals, including the state’s partisan baseline and limited Republican infrastructure. A late national Republican surge, major scandal, or significant shift in turnout patterns could narrow the gap, though no such developments have materialized in recent months.