Early voting / Quiz / Shape Chicago news’ future / Free tees

Early voting. Ready to make your choices? Chicagoans can now cast their 2026 primary ballots at the city’s new “Voter Supersite” on State Street downtown.

■ Don’t vote dumb: Check the Chicago Public Square Voter Guide Guide.

Square returns in full form Tuesday. But it wouldn’t be Friday if we didn’t get you a fresh news quiz from past Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions winner Fritz Holznagel.

■ Your Square columnist scored 5/8 this time out—not awful for a vacation week, right?

Shape Chicago news’ future. Take a survey to help news organizations working with Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism better understand the public they serve—and you could win a $100 gift card.

■ Your participation shows potential funders—including advertisers—that the region’s journalists have substantial community backing.

Free tees. Through the end of February, as Square marks completion of its ninth year, you get a special code good for $9 off the price of a T-shirt or hoodie when you support this publication in any amount—even $1, just once.

■ Make it $10/month and get one free.

Missing the full Square news roundup? Check out the continually updated Square newsfeed on Bluesky.

■ Why, you’ll find plenty there from the last 24 hours alone!

The Chicago Public Square Illinois Primary Voter Guide Guide

Early and mail voting is underway in the Illinois primary. Don’t cast your ballot in ignorance. Square’s here to help.

Mark your calendar.
■ Feb. 17: Last day for regular (paper) voter registration.

■ Feb. 18: First day of grace period for in-person voter registration and voting at election authority and early voting sites; continues through Election Day.

■ March 1: Last day for regular online voter registration.

■ March 12: Last day for your election authority to receive vote-by-mail applications.

■ March 17: Election Day—from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Be ready.

■ Learn how to vote in Illinois from Capitol News Illinois and WBEZ.

■ The League of Women Voters runs down the races at stake.

■ Register to vote in Chicago and suburban Cook County.
■ Outside Cook County? See your county’s website: DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane, McHenry, Kendall …
■ … or the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Be smart.

■ See what’s on your ballot, courtesy of the League of Women Voters.

■ Every item and race, explained: BallotReady and Ballotpedia.

■ Check out the Evanston Roundtable’s profiles of candidates in contested primaries for Congress and the General Assembly.

■ Consider endorsements from the Chicago Tribune, the Girl, I Guess Progressive Voter Guide and veteran political strategist Don Rose.

■ Have questions for the candidates? WBEZ wants your suggestions here.

■ Slice through all those judicial races—46 candidates running for 29 vacancies in Cook County alone—with bar association ratings …

■ … and Injustice Watch’s judicial primary guide.

Do it.

■ Here’s where to vote Election Day in Chicago and the suburbs.

■ Trouble at your polling place? Call 866-OUR-VOTE.

Go beyond.

■ Get updates around the clock on the Square Bluesky page.

■ Be informed for every election. Sign up for Square email, sent to your inbox (free!) weekday mornings at 10.

■ If you’ve found this useful, you can help keep Square coming with a contribution—of as little as $1, just once.

This is a work in progress.

■ Spot a mistake? Know of another source that’ll help people vote smart? Email Voterguide@ChicagoPublicSquare.com.