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? Check your county’s website: DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane, McHenry, Kendall …
■ … or the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Be smart.

■ Here’s a customized ballot with all the decisions you’ll face in suburban Cook County or Chicago.
■ Every item and race on your ballot, explained: BallotReady and Ballotpedia.

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

■ Consider the Chicago Tribune’s endorsements …

■ … and the Girl, I Guess Progressive Voter Guide.

■ Slice through all those judicial races with bar association ratings of Cook County candidates (still in progress) …

■ … and Injustice Watch’s judicial primary guide (ditto).

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

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.