By: Ashmar Mandou

Election Day is November 5th in Illinois, and early voting is already underway in Cook County. Aside for the race for president, voters in Illinois will decide U.S. House races, state legislative races, and several local elections, including Cook County State’s Attorney and Chicago Board of Education races. Below are just a few questions to expect on the ballot.

Illinois presidential ballot

• Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are on the ballot under the Democratic Party.

• Donald Trump and JD Vance are on the ballot under the Republican Party.

Illinois has voted for the Democratic ticket in every presidential election since 1988, when George H.W. Bush defeated Michael Dukakis.

Illinois State Ballot Questions

Illinois voters statewide will face three advisory referenda on the ballot: the Election Worker Protection Referendum, the Property Tax Relief and Fairness Referendum, and the Assisted Reproductive Health Referendum. As advisory referenda only, they will simply inform elected officials of voters opinions on these issues; approval of any of the referenda will not automatically lead to a change in state laws.

• Election Worker Protection Referendum: “Should any candidate appearing on the Illinois ballot for federal, State, or local office be subject to civil penalties if the candidate interferes or attempts to interfere with an election worker’s official duties?”

• Property Tax Relief and Fairness Referendum: “Should the Illinois Constitution be amended to create an additional 3% tax on income greater than $1,000,000 for the purpose of dedicating funds raised to property tax relief?”

• Assisted Reproductive Health Referendum: “Should all medically appropriate assisted reproductive treatments, including, but not limited to, in vitro fertilization, be covered by any health insurance plan in Illinois that provides coverage for pregnancy benefits, without limitation on the number of treatments?”