This St. Patrick’s Day, Kendall County voters can head to the polls in addition to sampling a green beer.

March 17 marks the 2026 primary, where voters can pull a Democratic or Republican ballot to pick who appears on the ballot come November. All voters, partisan or not, can weigh in on referendum questions.

The deadline for candidates to file was Nov. 3.

Who has filed and how can I learn more about them?

Illinois governor and lieutenant governor: Incumbent JB Pritzker, a Democrat, has filed to run for reelection. He has named Christian Mitchell as his running mate after Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton announced her intention to run for the U.S. Senate.

Conservative research group Wirepoints president Ted Dabrowski, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, former state Sen. Darren Bailey and Gold Rush Gaming owner Rick Heidner of Barrington Hills have filed as Republicans.

The only other Democrat to file, Patricia L. Tillman of Chicago, was removed from the ballot following a successful objection as was Republicans Gregg Moore of Broadview and Joseph Severino of Lake Forest. Republican Max Solomon of Hazel Crest withdrew his candidacy.

• Ted Dabrowski’s candidate questionnaire.
• Coverage: “‘More listening and less talking’: Darren Bailey insists results will be different in 2nd run for governor”
• Coverage: “GOP governor candidates in McHenry say abolishing TRUST Act would end need for ICE raids”
• Coverage: “Conservative policy wonk Ted Dabrowski gets off sidelines with run for governor”
• Coverage: “Few fireworks as Illinois GOP governor hopefuls share stage for first time”
• Coverage: “Bailey talks Bears stadium as GOP gubernatorial candidates pile on Pritzker”
• Coverage: “Bailey talks faith, family, future at Sterling campaign stop”
• Coverage: “Bailey proposes ‘Illinois DOGE’ as Republican governor’s race focuses on spending”
• Coverage: “Taxes, sanctuary status and electability key issues in GOP gubernatorial joust”

Illinois attorney general: Incumbent Kwame Raoul, a Democrat, has filed to run for another term. Former Chicago alderman Bob Fioretti has filed to run as a Republican.

Republican Andy Williams Jr. of Darien was removed from the ballot following a successful objection and JoAnne Guillemette of Chicago withdrew after an objection was filed.

• Andy Williams Jr.’s candidate questionnaire.

Illinois secretary of state: Alexi Giannoulias, an incumbent Democrat, has filed to run for reelection. Walter Adamczyk of Chicago and Joliet Junior College Trustee Diane M. Harris filed to run as Republicans.

• Walter Adamczyk’s candidate questionnaire.
• Diane Harris’ candidate questionnaire.

Illinois comptroller: Incumbent Susana Mendoza, a Democrat, is not running again. State Sen. Karina Villa of West Chicago, Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim of Mundelein, state Rep. Margaret Croke of Chicago and state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit of Oswego have filed to run as Democrats and and Bryan Drew of Benton as a Republican.

Champaign County Auditor George Danos, a Democrat, was removed from the ballot following a successful objection.

• Holly Kim’s candidate questionnaire.
• Margaret Croke’s candidate questionnaire.
• Stephanie Kifowit’s candidate questionnaire.
• Coverage: “4 Democrats seeking to replace Mendoza as Illinois comptroller”

Illinois treasurer: Incumbent Michael Frerichs, a Democrat, has filed to run for a fourth term.

U.S. Senate: Incumbent Dick Durbin, a Democrat, is not seeking reelection.

Casey Chlebek, former Illinois Republican Party Chair Don Tracy, R. Cary Capparelli of Chicago, Pamela Denise Long of Edwardsville, Jimmy Lee Tillman II of Chicago, John Goodman of Des Plaines and Jeannie Evans of Chicago have filed to run as Republicans.

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton of Chicago, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, Kevin Ryan of Chicago, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Lynwood, Steve Botsford Jr. of Chicago, Jonathan Dean of Chicago, Sean Brown of Orland Park, Bryan Maxwell of Urbana, Awisi A. Bustos of Springfield and Christopher A. Swann of Chicago as Democrats. Independents Tyrone Muhammad and Austin J. Mink have also said they are running.

Democrats Adam Delgado of Chicago, Anthony Williams of Dolton and Jump Shepherd of North Riverside were removed from the ballot following successful objections as was CaSándra Claiborne of Chicago. Democrat Robert Palmer of Chicago and Republican John Goodman of Des Plaines withdrew as candidates.

• Don Tracy’s candidate questionnaire.
• R. Cary Capparelli’s candidate questionnaire.
• Pamela Denise Long’s candidate questionnaire.
• Raja Krishnamoorthi’s candidate questionnaire.
• Robin Kelly’s candidate questionnaire.
• Steve Botsford Jr.’s candidate questionnaire.
• Jonathan Dean’s candidate questionnaire.
• Bryan Maxwell’s candidate questionnaire.
• Coverage: “Democratic Senate candidates clash on donations, opine on extraterrestrial controversy"
• Coverage: “GOP Senate candidates offer contrasting solutions to rising costs and economic challenges”
• Coverage: “Ukraine support key for GOP Senate candidates despite cost concerns”
• Coverage: “Illinois GOP Senate candidates take stage in first major debate”

U.S. House of Representatives: All 17 members of Congress representing Illinois are up in 2026. Kendall County falls into District 14, which is currently representing by Lauren Underwood, a Democrat. She has filed to run for reelection. Gary Vician of Naperville and James T. “Jim” Marter of Oswego have filed to run as Republicans.

• Jim Marter’s candidate questionnaire.
• Coverage: “14th District GOP candidates say curbing government spending, overreach are top issues”

Illinois State Senate: Like its federal counterpart, only some of its members are up for reelection this year. In Kendall County, that includes:

• District 38: Sue Rezin, a Republican representing Bureau, DeKalb, Grundy, Kendall, La Salle and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Ernie R. Marcelain of Yorkville has filed to run as a Democrat.
• Ernie Marcelain’s candidate questionnaire.
• District 42: Linda Holmes, a Democrat representing DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Edgardo “Eddie” Perez of Aurora filed as a Republican. Democrat Justin H.S. Breaux of Aurora was removed from the ballot following a successful objection.

Illinois House of Representatives: All state representative seats are up every two years. The races in Kendall County include:

• District 75: Jed Davis, a Republican representing DeKalb, Grundy, Kendall, La Salle and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Caroline McCree of Yorkville has filed to run as a Democrat.
• Caroline McCree’s candidate questionnaire.
• District 83: Matt Hanson, a Democrat representing Kane and Kendall counties, has filed to run for reelection. Jesse Rodriguez of Aurora has filed to run as a Republican.
• District 84: Stephanie A. Kifowit, a Democrat representing DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will counties, is not running for reelection as she is running for comptroller. Saba Haider and Jared Ploger, both of Aurora, have filed to run as Democrats and Brian Scopa of Naperville has filed to run as a Republican.
• Saba Haider’s candidate questionnaire.
• Jared Ploger’s candidate questionnaire.
• District 97: Harry Benton, a Democrat representing Kendall and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Gabby Shanahan of Joliet has filed as a Republican.

County-level races: All county-level races are uncontested.

• County Clerk and Recorder: Zach Bachmann is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination, and incumbent Debbie Gillette is running unopposed for the Republican.
• County Treasurer: Jill Ferko is running unopposed for the Republican nomination. Bob Allen is running unopposed for the Kendall County Party nomination. No Democratic candidates filed.
• County Sheriff: Jose Arnold Villagrana is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination, and Bobby Richardson is running unopposed for the Republican.
• Kendall County Board: No races are contested in the primary. In District 1 where two seats are up, Democratic candidates Bradley Chamberlin and Christina M. Johns and Republican candidates Ruben Rodriguez and Jason Peterson are running. In District 2 where three seats are up, Democratic candidates Elizabeth Flowers, Nancy Schwartz and Brooke Shanley and Republican candidates Joe West, Matthew J. Kellogg and Christopher “Chris” Cetnar have filed.

Meghan Martin and Kristen Koppers have filed to run as Republicans for regional superintendent for Grundy and Kendall counties.

What referendums are on the ballot?

Voters in Yorkville School District 115, which falls in Kendall and Kane County, will be asked to approve $275 million in school building bonds.

The proposed project includes constructing new middle and elementary schools. The designs also include a new performing arts center and a field house auditorium outside Yorkville High School.

A new academic wing is also designed for the high school with other renovations throughout the entire building. The plan also includes converting a current elementary school into an early childhood center.

If the $275 million bond plan is approved, the owner of a home with a median market value of $323,700 would pay an additional $577 annually in property taxes to pay for the construction, according to the district. A tax calculator is available on the district’s site.

Read more here.

What judicial races will I get to vote on?

Three vacancies are up at the Illinois appellate court level but none in the district that includes Kendall County, according to an Illinois State Board of Elections list as of Sept. 3. Voters will also get to vote on retentions.

Important Dates

Oct. 27 to Nov. 3, 2025: Candidates in established parties can file the necessary documents either at the Springfield office for state-level candidates or at the County Clerk’s Office in the county where they’re running.

Among the paperwork required is a statement of candidacy and petitions signed by registered voters. The number of signatures required varies by office.

Nov. 10: Last day for objections challenging whether candidates can appear on the ballot to be filed.

Nov. 17 to 24: Filing period for candidates seeking to fill judicial vacancies.

Dec. 3: Deadline to file objections in judicial vacancy races.

Dec. 15: Deadline to file petitions for referendums to appear on the March ballot. This does not include referendum questions authorized by local governments, just ones submitted through voter-signed petitions.

Dec. 17: First day to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot.

Dec. 22: Deadline to file objections on referendum questions.

Dec. 29: Deadline for local government boards – like school boards and city councils – to adopt a resolution or ordinance for a binding referendum.

Jan. 8, 2026: Last day for a candidate to withdraw from the race.

Jan. 15: Last day for a candidate to file as a write-in.

Feb. 5: Early voting starts and county clerks begin mailing vote-by-mail ballots.

March 1: Last day to register to vote online through the State Board of Elections’ website. Grace period registration and voting continues through Election Day.

March 17: Election Day for the 2026 primary. Polls close at 7 p.m. Voters can request a partisan ballot with either Democratic or Republican candidates listed or a non-partisan ballot, which includes any referendums.