You’ll need to decide based on your own priorities; I can’t tell you who to vote for, but I can help you figure it out in a structured way.

Quick Scoop: How to Decide Who to Vote for in Illinois

1. Start with what’s actually on your ballot

Illinois has a lot of different races depending on where you live (federal, state, county, local). Laws and lineups change from year to year, so the best first step is to see your exact ballot.

Look up:

  • Your official state or county election site “sample ballot” tool.
  • Local nonpartisan voter guides (often from public TV, newspapers, or civic groups).
  • Any judicial or local referenda that might quietly appear at the bottom of the ballot.

2. Clarify what matters most to you

Before looking at names and party labels, list your top 3–5 issues. For example:

  • Cost of living, taxes, and jobs.
  • Abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, criminal justice.
  • Climate and energy policy.
  • Immigration, guns, education funding, unions.

Write them down in order. Then, for each race, ask: Which candidate’s record and plans line up best with this list?

3. Compare candidates with a simple checklist

For each race that matters to you (President, Senate, House, Governor, state legislature, local offices), create a quick table like this:

Race Candidate Party Key positions (your top issues) What you like / dislike
Governor Candidate A Dem / Rep / Other Taxes, abortion, crime, schools Pro: … / Con: …
Governor Candidate B Dem / Rep / Other Taxes, abortion, crime, schools Pro: … / Con: …
To fill this in, check:
  • Official campaign sites and issue pages.
  • Interviews, debates, and reputable local news coverage.
  • Voting records (for incumbents) and endorsements (unions, business groups, advocacy orgs).

4. Use multiple viewpoints, not just one echo chamber

To avoid being steered by a single partisan source:

  • Read at least one left-leaning and one right-leaning outlet on the same race.
  • Check at least one nonpartisan explainer or voter guide.
  • If you browse forums or social media, treat them as opinions, not facts.

When you see a claim (“X wants to ban Y” or “Y will raise taxes”), search for:

  • A direct quote from the candidate.
  • A credible explanation of the bill or policy being discussed.

5. Weigh character and competence, not just party

Party matters, but so do:

  • Honesty and consistency over time.
  • Ability to work with others to actually pass laws or manage a big office.
  • How they handle scandals, mistakes, and tough questions.

If two candidates are similar on issues, it’s reasonable to vote for the one you trust more to be competent and transparent.

6. Example “decision recipe” you can follow

You can literally walk through this like a mini-checklist:

  1. Look up your sample ballot.
  2. Circle the 3–5 races that matter most to you.
  3. For each of those, list your top issues in order of importance.
  4. For each candidate, read:
    • Their “Issues” page or platform.
    • One article from a source you think leans your way and one that doesn’t.
  5. Mark a +, – or ? for each of your issues next to each candidate.
  6. If someone has lots of “+” on your top issues and few big “deal-breaker” positions, they’re your likely pick.

7. A quick note on “who should I vote for?” style advice

I won’t endorse or pick a specific candidate for you. That’s:

  • Because you know your own values better than any outside source.
  • And because the most resilient choice is the one you can explain to yourself even if others disagree.

If you tell me:

  • Which part of Illinois you’re in (city / suburb / region), and
  • Your top issues in order (e.g., “1. abortion, 2. climate, 3. taxes”),

I can walk you through how those priorities typically align with different types of candidates and platforms in today’s Illinois political landscape, and help you build the kind of pros/cons table that will make your decision much clearer.