Democrats designed a legislative map that puts pressure on suburban Republicans, but the new boundaries also have resulted in Chicago's biggest House and Senate primary election in 10 years.
The remap created opportunities for newcomers in the city and added new terrain for those already serving at the Capitol. That's led to some contentious campaigns in Chicago, where Democrats are so dominant that winning Tuesday's primary election is tantamount to winning a spot in Springfield. And the intensity is magnified because this primary may be the last, best shot a new or insurgent candidate has to win a legislative seat until the next new district maps are crafted a decade from now.
On the West Side, two state Senate candidates want authorities to investigate the other. And in a nearby House race, a fresh bribery charge dropped on a rookie lawmaker suddenly puts him in jeopardy of losing to a onetime ranking official in the Cook County Republican Party.
The North Side features what is likely the first Illinois House contest with two openly lesbian candidates.
And on the Southwest Side, two candidates are running for an open seat drawn to elect a Latino, with each hopeful backed by different members of the Democratic establishment.
Even House Speaker Michael Madigan, the Illinois Democratic Party chairman, faces a primary challenge this time out. Political neophyte Michele Piszczor has caught just enough of Madigan's attention for him to summon his vaunted troops to try to squelch her candidacy.
Here is a closer look at some of the contests:
5th Senate District
Attempting to hold the West Side seat is appointed Sen. Annazette Collins, a House lawmaker from December 2000 until ward bosses elevated her last spring.
She is completing the term of ex-Sen. Rickey Hendon, who abruptly quit and now backs her. Senate President John Cullerton is pouring money into the race, and Collins also is supported by Gov. Pat Quinn, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and former 28th Ward Ald. Ed Smith.
Former mayoral candidate Patricia Van Pelt Watkins is endorsed by several aldermen and Secretary of State Jesse White, who last year backed Collins' move to the Senate. Now he says he misjudged her, calling her "unethical."
White said he reviewed a series of legislative scholarships Collins gave to college students and believes several recipients lived outside her district, and he questioned why court records raise doubts that she has lived in the district she serves. Van Pelt Watkins called for authorities to investigate whether Collins exchanged legislative scholarships for campaign contributions.
On every point, Collins disagreed.
Collins called for a probe of a Van Pelt Watkins' nonprofit group that contracted with Chicago State University to help develop teachers. The university issued a statement saying the contract was terminated because the "program didn't meet its programmatic goals." A university letter dated last April cited a number of reasons, including an "effort to exercise good stewardship of funds appropriated by the state."
Van Pelt Watkins said it was time for her group to part ways and focus on bigger programs elsewhere.
10th House District
Authorities arrested appointed Rep. Derrick Smith this week, alleging he took a $7,000 bribe to back a state grant for a day care company in a federal sting.
The other option for Democratic voters in this West Side contest is Tom Swiss, who used to be executive director of the county GOP. Swiss, who described himself as more of an independent these days, has pumped tens of thousands of dollars into his race and warned that a bribery charge won't necessarily be enough to defeat Smith.
Madigan put more than $60,000 into Smith's race before the arrest. Top Democrats are mum, but they could drag Smith over the finish line Tuesday and then pressure him to resign. Democrats then could appoint a different candidate for the fall.
14th House District
Rep. Kelly Cassidy was appointed last year to replace Harry Osterman, who is now 48th Ward alderman. Now she's being challenged by Paula Basta. The contest illustrates gay political power on the North Side — both candidates are openly lesbian.
Cassidy, 43, is sponsoring a 2 percent sales tax on ammunition to help fund trauma centers in high-crime areas, and she seeks to protect women's access to health care. Her experience includes working on the staff of Cullerton and for the Cook County state's attorney's office.
Basta, 55, regional director of the Northeast Levy Senior Center, calls for better health care for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans. She wants to help neighborhood businesses and toughen ethics laws.
21st House District
Two candidates without legislative experience are vying for this open House seat, which sprawls from Little Village into the nearby southwest suburbs.
Rudy Lozano, 36, is the son of a slain Chicago activist of the same name and a former teacher at alternative schools. Silvana Tabares, 33, is a former managing editor of a bilingual community newspaper.
Both candidates talk up plans to improve education, but the biggest factor in their race is who's supporting them. Lozano, a Little Village resident, has backing that includes Preckwinkle, U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez and 22nd Ward Ald. Ricardo Munoz.
Lozano lost a tough 2010 House primary against Rep. Dan Burke and ended up drawn into a separate legislative district. Burke and his brother, 14th Ward Ald. Ed Burke, are aligned with Tabares. She has lived in Little Village and Brighton Park but now resides in Garfield Ridge, where she has the support of the 23rd Ward Democratic regulars.
Taberes also is endorsed by two of Madigan's longtime allies, former Sen. Lou Viverito of Burbank and Sen. Martin Sandoval, who is unopposed in the new Senate district that encompasses this House seat and the one where Madigan seeks re-election.
39th House District
Challenger Will Guzzardi, 24, says he'll be an independent as he runs to oust Rep. Maria Berrios, 34, daughter of county Assessor Joe Berrios, who's also the county Democratic chairman.
Guzzardi, a former reporter for an online publication, said Springfield needs new leadership to bring about necessary change. Berrios said she will fight for the community because its "voice needs to be heard."
15th Senate District
The Rev. James Meeks' decision to leave the Senate at the end of his term opened the door to a spirited contest in a district that stretches from the South Side to the south suburbs.
Former NFL linebacker Napoleon Harris, 33, of Flossmoor, is promoting education, health care and job creation.
Donna Miller, 46, of Lynwood, has worked as a sales trainer for a health care company. Married to former state Rep. David Miller, she calls for better job training, education and health care to address asthma and HIV.
Attorney Patricia Mahon, 47, is deputy village administrator in South Holland. She wants to capitalize on her experiences to help businesses expand and add jobs.
26th House District
Christian Mitchell, 25, is up against Kenny Johnson, 41, a previous House candidate, in a South Side district.
Mitchell is a former senior staffer for Preckwinkle, who has endorsed him. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and 4th Ward Ald. Will Burns also back Mitchell. Once a community organizer, Mitchell touts work on legislation for an urban weatherization program and for a universal fare pass for local buses and trains.
Johnson lost a 2008 House primary to Burns. Johnson's backers include Sen. Kwame Raoul, 42nd Ward Ald. Brendan Reilly and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. Johnson once worked for Jackson.
Mitchell questions why Johnson has spent big money on campaigns but still owes tax liens of nearly $150,000. Johnson said he is making payments and that financial struggles as a small-business owner give him valuable experience.
Tribune reporter Hal Dardick contributed.
The remap created opportunities for newcomers in the city and added new terrain for those already serving at the Capitol. That's led to some contentious campaigns in Chicago, where Democrats are so dominant that winning Tuesday's primary election is tantamount to winning a spot in Springfield. And the intensity is magnified because this primary may be the last, best shot a new or insurgent candidate has to win a legislative seat until the next new district maps are crafted a decade from now.
On the West Side, two state Senate candidates want authorities to investigate the other. And in a nearby House race, a fresh bribery charge dropped on a rookie lawmaker suddenly puts him in jeopardy of losing to a onetime ranking official in the Cook County Republican Party.
The North Side features what is likely the first Illinois House contest with two openly lesbian candidates.
And on the Southwest Side, two candidates are running for an open seat drawn to elect a Latino, with each hopeful backed by different members of the Democratic establishment.
Even House Speaker Michael Madigan, the Illinois Democratic Party chairman, faces a primary challenge this time out. Political neophyte Michele Piszczor has caught just enough of Madigan's attention for him to summon his vaunted troops to try to squelch her candidacy.
Here is a closer look at some of the contests:
5th Senate District
Attempting to hold the West Side seat is appointed Sen. Annazette Collins, a House lawmaker from December 2000 until ward bosses elevated her last spring.
She is completing the term of ex-Sen. Rickey Hendon, who abruptly quit and now backs her. Senate President John Cullerton is pouring money into the race, and Collins also is supported by Gov. Pat Quinn, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and former 28th Ward Ald. Ed Smith.
Former mayoral candidate Patricia Van Pelt Watkins is endorsed by several aldermen and Secretary of State Jesse White, who last year backed Collins' move to the Senate. Now he says he misjudged her, calling her "unethical."
White said he reviewed a series of legislative scholarships Collins gave to college students and believes several recipients lived outside her district, and he questioned why court records raise doubts that she has lived in the district she serves. Van Pelt Watkins called for authorities to investigate whether Collins exchanged legislative scholarships for campaign contributions.
On every point, Collins disagreed.
Collins called for a probe of a Van Pelt Watkins' nonprofit group that contracted with Chicago State University to help develop teachers. The university issued a statement saying the contract was terminated because the "program didn't meet its programmatic goals." A university letter dated last April cited a number of reasons, including an "effort to exercise good stewardship of funds appropriated by the state."
Van Pelt Watkins said it was time for her group to part ways and focus on bigger programs elsewhere.
10th House District
Authorities arrested appointed Rep. Derrick Smith this week, alleging he took a $7,000 bribe to back a state grant for a day care company in a federal sting.
The other option for Democratic voters in this West Side contest is Tom Swiss, who used to be executive director of the county GOP. Swiss, who described himself as more of an independent these days, has pumped tens of thousands of dollars into his race and warned that a bribery charge won't necessarily be enough to defeat Smith.
Madigan put more than $60,000 into Smith's race before the arrest. Top Democrats are mum, but they could drag Smith over the finish line Tuesday and then pressure him to resign. Democrats then could appoint a different candidate for the fall.
14th House District
Rep. Kelly Cassidy was appointed last year to replace Harry Osterman, who is now 48th Ward alderman. Now she's being challenged by Paula Basta. The contest illustrates gay political power on the North Side — both candidates are openly lesbian.
Cassidy, 43, is sponsoring a 2 percent sales tax on ammunition to help fund trauma centers in high-crime areas, and she seeks to protect women's access to health care. Her experience includes working on the staff of Cullerton and for the Cook County state's attorney's office.
Basta, 55, regional director of the Northeast Levy Senior Center, calls for better health care for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans. She wants to help neighborhood businesses and toughen ethics laws.
21st House District
Two candidates without legislative experience are vying for this open House seat, which sprawls from Little Village into the nearby southwest suburbs.
Rudy Lozano, 36, is the son of a slain Chicago activist of the same name and a former teacher at alternative schools. Silvana Tabares, 33, is a former managing editor of a bilingual community newspaper.
Both candidates talk up plans to improve education, but the biggest factor in their race is who's supporting them. Lozano, a Little Village resident, has backing that includes Preckwinkle, U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez and 22nd Ward Ald. Ricardo Munoz.
Lozano lost a tough 2010 House primary against Rep. Dan Burke and ended up drawn into a separate legislative district. Burke and his brother, 14th Ward Ald. Ed Burke, are aligned with Tabares. She has lived in Little Village and Brighton Park but now resides in Garfield Ridge, where she has the support of the 23rd Ward Democratic regulars.
Taberes also is endorsed by two of Madigan's longtime allies, former Sen. Lou Viverito of Burbank and Sen. Martin Sandoval, who is unopposed in the new Senate district that encompasses this House seat and the one where Madigan seeks re-election.
39th House District
Challenger Will Guzzardi, 24, says he'll be an independent as he runs to oust Rep. Maria Berrios, 34, daughter of county Assessor Joe Berrios, who's also the county Democratic chairman.
Guzzardi, a former reporter for an online publication, said Springfield needs new leadership to bring about necessary change. Berrios said she will fight for the community because its "voice needs to be heard."
15th Senate District
The Rev. James Meeks' decision to leave the Senate at the end of his term opened the door to a spirited contest in a district that stretches from the South Side to the south suburbs.
Former NFL linebacker Napoleon Harris, 33, of Flossmoor, is promoting education, health care and job creation.
Donna Miller, 46, of Lynwood, has worked as a sales trainer for a health care company. Married to former state Rep. David Miller, she calls for better job training, education and health care to address asthma and HIV.
Attorney Patricia Mahon, 47, is deputy village administrator in South Holland. She wants to capitalize on her experiences to help businesses expand and add jobs.
26th House District
Christian Mitchell, 25, is up against Kenny Johnson, 41, a previous House candidate, in a South Side district.
Mitchell is a former senior staffer for Preckwinkle, who has endorsed him. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and 4th Ward Ald. Will Burns also back Mitchell. Once a community organizer, Mitchell touts work on legislation for an urban weatherization program and for a universal fare pass for local buses and trains.
Johnson lost a 2008 House primary to Burns. Johnson's backers include Sen. Kwame Raoul, 42nd Ward Ald. Brendan Reilly and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. Johnson once worked for Jackson.
Mitchell questions why Johnson has spent big money on campaigns but still owes tax liens of nearly $150,000. Johnson said he is making payments and that financial struggles as a small-business owner give him valuable experience.
Tribune reporter Hal Dardick contributed.