Overview of Illinois Politics in 2025

Illinois politics in late 2025 is marked by intense state-federal tensions under the second Trump administration, economic pressures, and preparations for the 2026 elections. Governor JB Pritzker (D) has positioned himself as a key opponent to federal policies, while issues like taxes, immigration, and redistricting dominate discussions. The state legislature adjourned its main 2025 session in May, passing significant reforms, but ongoing veto sessions and executive actions continue to shape the landscape. Voter concerns reflect a mix of economic woes and social policies, with Democrats holding strong majorities but facing Republican critiques on fiscal management and crime.   Core issues for the state are:

*High Taxes and Economic Challenges

*Immigration Enforcement and Federal-State Conflicts

*Redistricting and Partisan Battles

*Healthcare and Social Reforms

*Employment and Worker Rights

*Corruption, Legal Scandals, and Public Safety

*Election Dynamics and Future Races

Per Grok

Election Integrity

IL has issues!   There are valid concerns about the integrity of the election process in IL.  The Heritage study noted that IL ranks 41 out of 50 states for Election Integrity, with low scores for voter identity, management of mail-in balloting and a zero score for verification of citizenship.

IL, CA, MI, NY and PA are rogue states.   No one knows if their elected Representatives to the House are legitimate.  Certifying elections with millions of fictitious voters and votes is an act of defiance against the US Constitution.   PA election officals recently announced that in the 2020 election, 315k+ voters were allowed to vote without proof of citizenship.  United Sovereign Americans has gathered the proof from the official records of each state and reported on the findings.  The results for IL are noted.   Over one million plus votes in IL in the 2024 election are questionable and in dispute.

GERRYMANDERING

• What it is: The practice of drawing electoral district lines to benefit one political party over another.
• How it works: The two main techniques are “cracking” (splitting a rival party’s voters into multiple districts to dilute their power) and “packing” (concentrating a rival party’s voters into a single district to waste their votes).
• The Law: Racial gerrymandering is illegal under the Voting Rights Act of 1965. However, the Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that partisan gerrymandering is a “political question” that federal courts cannot resolve.
• The Illinois Example: Both parties in Illinois have used gerrymandering when in power, but the current Democratic-drawn map is considered one of the most effective partisan gerrymanders in the nation. At present, IL has three Republicans and fourteen Democrats in the House.  IL has 27.05% registered Republicans.  (US Constitution.net site)

PARTY AFFILIATION

Based on the available data, Illinois voter registration by party affiliation shows the following breakdown: 34.52% of voters are registered Democrats, 27.05% are registered Republicans, 6.08% are registered with a third party or other, and 32.35% are unaffiliated.

Democrats hold the largest share of registered voters in Illinois, followed closely by unaffiliated voters, with Republicans in third place. (per factually.co).  The only viable election strategy is to focus on Republicans, third party supporters and unaffiliated voters, with some potential for gains among disillusioned Democrats.   Note that in every election cycle except 2008 (Obama), Democrat votes state-wide were in the minority when we exclude Chicago.

The ILGOP Agenda for Making IL Great Again!

*Government Efficiency: Review all levels of state and local government, redefine purposes and limit scope of agencies, Reduce staff and overall costs to fulfill new service goals.

*Tax Cuts: Make IL successful for families and businesses by adopting tax policies that are on par with neighboring states and the national economy, cut spending to match lower tax revenues.

*Education: Freeze all new spending on public education  such as pay or benefits increases, until test scores improve to specified levels.  Hold school districts accountable for delivering improved outcomes.    Promote and fund school choice programs to empower parents to select best options for their children.

*Immigration: End the sanctuary state status of IL, reduce all spending in support of people who are not citizens.

*Health and Human Services: Manage the delivery of health and other services, reduce fraud and abuse.   End the IL “sanctuary” status of people seeking abortions.  End transgender treatment options for patients under age 21.

Election Integrity: Clean the voter rolls to assure that only citizens and lawful residents of IL are allowed to vote. 

Q: Is the ILGOP ready to end their role as the WA Generals of IL politics?

ILGOP has an opportunity to win the Governorship next year.  A campaign focused on the basics, addressed to the R party base plus independents could win the day:

• Smaller government
• Lower taxes
• Rinse and repeat

Both Rauner and Bailey candidacies failed to put forward "Make IL Great Again" messages to earn the support of the voters. 

Pritzker's policies are designed to develop his candidacy for the Democratic party ticket in 2028.   To do so, he needs to show an array of policy ideas that appeal to the left wing base of the party.  

Elections have consequences...