Illinois Senate
Dick Durbin (D) is not running again. 3 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026. The Cook Political Report rates it safe Democratic.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Juliana Stratton
Democrat · lieutenant governor of illinois, former state representative
DLiberty Score D63 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Stratton has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Stratton.
Raised $7,230,577 since January 2025: 74% from people, 17% transfers and other income, 8% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Don Tracy
Republican · attorney, former illinois republican party chairman
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Tracy has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Tracy.
Raised $4,914,363 since January 2025: 86% the candidate’s own money, 12% from people, 1% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Don Tracy. Don Tracy: A, 100 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Juliana Stratton: D, 63 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
Voting in Illinois: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Juliana Stratton, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Stratton, so the grade above comes from this list: what Stratton has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Says she would support continued sanctions against Russia to press it to negotiate a peace agreement with Ukraine.
“I would support continued sanctions against Russia to assert economic pressure for them to negotiate a peace agreement with Ukraine.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Sanctions to press Putin over his war on Ukraine is confronting a regime that rules by fear.
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Her campaign told Jewish Insider she would not have backed the Sanders resolutions to block arms sales to Israel.
“juliana believes that cutting off U.S. military aid to Israel could risk standing in the way of the ultimate goals of a true ceasefire and sustained peace.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing a cutoff of weapons to Israel is the with side of this measure.
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In a newspaper questionnaire she said the United States must stand with Ukraine and keep sanctions on Russia.
“We must stand with Ukraine. Illinois has always been a friend to Ukraine, and I would seek to bring the same loyalty to the U.S. Senate.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Ukraine against Putin is the with side of this measure.
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In the same questionnaire she backed NATO's mutual defence pledge and strengthening the alliance.
“An attack on one NATO ally is an attack on us all.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing NATO is the with side of this measure.
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In the questionnaire she said she supports Medicare for All.
“Out of control healthcare costs play a huge role in the affordability crisis we're facing. That's why I support Medicare for All.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Government-run health care for all is the against side of this measure.
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In the questionnaire she proposed raising taxes on people earning a million dollars a year or more to fund a middle-class tax cut.
“That's why I want to see a tax cut for the middle class, paid for by those making a million dollars a year or more.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A tax increase on top earners is the against side of this measure.
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In the questionnaire she called for abolishing ICE.
“ICE is out of control and beyond reform, and I am the only leading candidate in this race who has called for abolishing ICE.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Abolishing ICE is the against side of this measure.
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In the questionnaire she backed a path to citizenship, including for Dreamers.
“I want to build a better pathway to citizenship, including for Dreamers, and would proudly support the American Dream and Promise Act.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A path to citizenship for those here illegally is the against side of this measure.
Don Tracy, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Tracy, so the grade above comes from this list: what Tracy has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
On Chicago Tonight he said he hoped the war would degrade Iran's nuclear and missile programmes.
“that we will have successfully degraded Iran's nuclear ambitions and its intercontinental ballistic missile ambitions”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing action against the regime's nuclear programme is the with side of this measure.
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On the radio he backed the US military action against Iran as the way to stop it becoming a nuclear power.
“the choice was between Iran as a nuclear power, the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism who's been running amok in the Mideast, and also developing the capability to deliver nuclear weapons to the United States.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing American action against the regime's nuclear programme is the with side of this measure.
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On The 21st Show he called Israel a strong ally and defended how it fought after the October 7 attack.
“Israel, in defending itself and responding to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, brutal attack, has done a better job of minimizing collateral damage than almost any other warring nation in a war of this consequence.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Israel's right to defend itself is the with side of this measure.
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In the questionnaire he backed Ukraine's right to defend itself, with targeted and accountable US help.
“That means supporting Ukraine's right to defend itself while insisting on accountability, clear objectives, and a realistic diplomatic path toward ending the fighting.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Ukraine against Putin is the with side of this measure.
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In the questionnaire he called NATO vital to American security while asking allies to meet their defence obligations.
“More broadly, NATO remains vital to American security, but it must be a true alliance, not a one-way commitment.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing NATO is the with side of this measure.
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In the questionnaire he said he would cut federal spending and regulations that raise prices.
“third, I will work to reduce inflation and taxes by cutting waste, fraud, and inefficiency in federal spending, cutting regulations that unjustifiably raise prices, and supporting small businesses, manufacturers, and farmers.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Less regulation is the with side of this measure.
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In a newspaper questionnaire he backed securing the border, enforcing the law and no blanket amnesty.
“That starts with securing the border and enforcing the law, because open borders drive crime, strain public services, and raise costs for working families. We cannot reward illegal immigration with blanket amnesty.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border and enforcing immigration law is the with side of this measure.
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In the same questionnaire he backed legal status, but not citizenship, for some long-term residents who grew up in the US.
“I support a narrow, legislated solution that provides legal certainty (but not citizenship) for certain long term residents who have grown up here, obeyed the law, worked, paid taxes, and served their communities”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Narrow legal status without citizenship is short of the amnesty or path to citizenship this measure counts against, so it does not settle it.
Also on the ballot
Whitfield Harrington Jr. (Independent).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. Race rating: the Cook Political Report, November 2, 2026. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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Illinois Senate
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