2014 Illinois elections

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Illinois on November 4, 2014. All of Illinois' executive officers were up for election as well as a United States Senate seat, and all of Illinois' eighteen seats in the United States House of Representatives. Primary elections were held on March 18, 2014.

2014 Illinois elections
November 4, 2014
Turnout49.18%
Elections in Illinois
Federal government
U.S. Presidential elections
U.S. Senate elections
U.S. House elections
State government
General elections
Gubernatorial elections
Lieutenant Gubernatorial elections
Attorney General elections
Secretary of State elections
Comptroller elections
Senate elections
House of Representatives elections
Judicial elections
Ballot measures and referendums
Chicago
General elections
Mayoral elections
Aldermanic elections
Chicago Board of Education elections
Cicero
Municipal elections
Cook County
County elections

Election information

2014 was a midterm election year in the United States.

Turnout
See also: 2014 United States Senate election in Illinois § Turnout, and 2014 Illinois gubernatorial election § Turnout

Primary election

For the primary election, turnout was 18.09%, with 1,357,807 votes cast.[1]

Turnout by county[1]

General election

For the general election, turnout was 49.18%, with 3,680,417 votes cast.[2]

Turnout by county[2]

Federal elections

United States Senate
Main article: 2014 United States Senate election in Illinois

Incumbent Democratic senator and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin won reelection to a fourth term.

United States Senate election in Illinois, 2014[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dick Durbin (incumbent) 1,929,637 53.5
Republican Jim Oberweis 1,538,522 42.7
Libertarian Sharon Hansen 135,316 3.8
Write-in 44 0.0
Total votes 3,603,519 100.0
Democratic hold

United States House
Main article: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois

All of Illinois' 18 seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election in 2014.

The Republican Party flipped two Democratic-held seat, making the composition of Illinois' House delegation 10 Democrats and 8 Republicans.

Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Main article: 2014 Illinois gubernatorial election
2014 Illinois gubernatorial election
November 4, 2014
Turnout48.48%
 
Nominee Bruce Rauner Pat Quinn
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Evelyn Sanguinetti Paul Vallas
Popular vote 1,823,627 1,681,343
Percentage 50.3% 46.4%
County results
Rauner:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Quinn:      60–70%
Governor before election

Pat Quinn
Democratic

 Elected Governor

Bruce Rauner
Republican

Incumbent Democratic Governor Pat Quinn ran for re-election to a second full term as governor. Quinn, the then-lieutenant governor, assumed the office of governor on January 29, 2009, when Rod Blagojevich was impeached and removed from office. He was narrowly elected to a first full term in 2010.[4]

Quinn was renominated by the Democrats, while the Republicans chose businessman and venture capitalist Bruce Rauner and the Libertarians nominated political activist Chad Grimm.

Previously in Illinois, there were separate primary elections for governor and lieutenant governor, with the winners then running together on the same ticket. In 2011, the law was changed and candidates for governor now pick their own running mate. Incumbent Democratic lieutenant governor Sheila Simon did not run for re-election, instead running unsuccessfully for Comptroller.[5] She was replaced as Quinn's running mate by former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas. Rauner chose Wheaton City Councilwoman Evelyn Sanguinetti and Grimm chose Alex Cummings.[6]

Rauner defeated Quinn in the general election by 50.3% of the vote to Quinn's 46.4%. Rauner won every county in Illinois except for Cook County, home to the city of Chicago and 40% of the state's residents.[7]

Illinois gubernatorial election, 2014[8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bruce Rauner/Evelyn Sanguinetti 1,823,627 50.3
Democratic Pat Quinn/Paul Vallas (incumbent) 1,681,343 46.4
Libertarian Chad Grimm/Alex Cummings 121,534 3.3
Write-in 1,186 0.0
Total votes 3,627,690 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

Attorney General
2014 Illinois Attorney General election
November 4, 2014
Turnout48.15%
 
Nominee Lisa Madigan Paul Schimpf
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,142,558 1,360,763
Percentage 59.46% 37.77%
County results
Madigan:      40–50%      50–60%      70–80%
Schimpf:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Attorney General before election

Lisa Madigan
Democratic

 Elected Attorney General

Lisa Madigan
Democratic

Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigan ran for re-election to a fourth term in office.

Declared

Results
Democratic primary results[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lisa Madigan (incumbent) 427,639 100.0
Total votes 427,639 100.0
Declared
Withdrew
  • Mark Curran, Lake County sheriff[12]
  • Mike Webster, attorney, accountant, and president Cass School District 63 Board of Education (ran for Secretary of State)[13]
Declined

Results
Republican primary results[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Schimpf 640,595 100.0
Total votes 640,595 100.0

Polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin
of error		 Lisa
Madigan (D)		 Paul
Schimpf (R)		 Ben
Koyl (L)		 Other Undecided
APC Research October 16–21, 2014 800 ± 3.5% 61% 24% 6% 1% 8%
We Ask America October 6, 2014 1,097 ± 3% 56% 31% 5% — 8%
We Ask America September 17, 2014 1,071 ± 3.1% 53% 32% 6% — 9%
We Ask America September 3, 2014 1,096 ± 3% 54% 30% 5% — 11%
We Ask America July 30, 2014 1,057 ± 3.02% 52% 35% — — 13%
McKeon & Associates July 9–10, 2014 800 ± 3.9% 46% 37% — — 17%
We Ask America June 16, 2014 1,023 ± 3.06% 51% 35% — — 14%

Results
Illinois Attorney General election, 2014[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Lisa Madigan (incumbent) 2,142,558 59.46% -5.26%
Republican Paul Schimpf 1,360,763 37.77% +6.12%
Libertarian Ben Koyl 99,903 2.77% +1.30%
Total votes 3,603,224 100.0%
Democratic hold

Secretary of State
2014 Illinois Secretary of State election
November 4, 2014
Turnout48.30%
 
Nominee Jesse White Mike Webster
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,374,849 1,134,452
Percentage 65.70% 31.39%
County results
White:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Webster:      40–50%      50–60%
Secretary of State before election

Jesse White
Democratic

 Elected Secretary of State

Jesse White
Democratic

Incumbent Democratic Secretary of State Jesse White ran for re-election to a fifth term in office.

Declared

Results
Democratic primary results[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jesse White (incumbent) 448,025 100.0
Total votes 448,025 100.0
Declared
  • Mike Webster, attorney, accountant, and president of the Cass School District 63 Board of Education[17]
Withdrew
  • Will Lindsey, businessman[18]

Results
Republican primary results[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Webster 644,248 100.0
Total votes 644,248 100.0

Polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin
of error		 Jesse
White (D)		 Mike
Webster (R)		 Christopher
Michel (L)		 Other Undecided
APC Research October 16–21, 2014 800 ± 3.5% 68% 19% 5% 1% 7%
We Ask America September 17, 2014 1,071 ± 3.1% 61% 28% 5% — 6%
We Ask America September 3, 2014 1,096 ± 3% 61% 26% 5% — 7%
We Ask America July 30, 2014 1,057 ± 3.02% 60% 31% — — 9%
We Ask America June 16, 2014 1,023 ± 3.06% 63% 29% — — 9%

Results
Illinois Secretary of State election, 2014[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jesse White (incumbent) 2,374,849 65.70% -4.17%
Republican Mike Webster 1,134,452 31.39% +4.37%
Libertarian Christopher Michel 104,498 2.89% -0.22%
Write-in 809 0.02% N/A
Total votes 3,614,608 100.0%
Democratic hold

Comptroller
2014 Illinois State Comptroller election
November 4, 2014
Turnout47.89%
 
Nominee Judy Baar Topinka Sheila Simon
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,775,983 1,636,593
Percentage 49.56% 45.67%
County results
Topinka:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Simon:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
State Comptroller before election

Judy Baar Topinka
Republican

 Elected State Comptroller

Judy Baar Topinka
Republican

Incumbent Republican Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka ran for re-election to a second term in office. As of 2022, this was the last time a Republican was elected Comptroller.

Declared

Results
Democratic primary results[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sheila Simon 411,623 100.0
Total votes 411,623 100.0
Declared
Withdrew

Results
Republican primary results[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Judy Baar Topinka (incumbent) 680,768 100.0
Total votes 680,768 100.0

Polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin
of error		 Judy Baar
Topinka (R)		 Sheila
Simon (D)		 Julie
Fox (L)		 Other Undecided
APC Research October 16–21, 2014 800 ± 3.5% 49% 31% 8% 1% 11%
Communication Express September 30, 2014 1,167 ± 2.87% 53% 31% 5% — 11%
We Ask America September 17, 2014 1,071 ± 3.1% 55% 32% 6% — 8%
We Ask America September 2, 2014 1,064 ± 3% 51% 32% 8% — 9%
We Ask America July 31, 2014 1,005 ± 3.1% 51% 32% — — 17%
We Ask America June 17, 2014 1,021 ± 3.07% 48% 37% — — 15%
We Ask America[22] April 27, 2014 — ± 3.14% 51% 38% — — 11%
We Ask America[23] April 21, 2014 — ± 3.21% 56% 29% — — 15%

Results
Illinois State Comptroller election, 2014[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Judy Baar Topinka (incumbent) 1,775,983 49.56% -3.06%
Democratic Sheila Simon 1,636,593 45.67% +4.79%
Libertarian Julie Fox 170,534 4.76% +1.45%
Write-in 176 0.01% N/A
Total votes 3,583,286 100.0
Republican hold

Aftermath

Topinka died on December 10, 2014. Governor Pat Quinn appointed Jerry Stermer to serve out the remainder of her term. A special election was held for the office in 2016.

Treasurer
2014 Illinois State Treasurer election
November 4, 2014
Turnout47.14%
 
Nominee Mike Frerichs Tom Cross
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,694,885 1,685,659
Percentage 48.05% 47.79%
County results
Frerichs:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Cross:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Treasurer before election

Dan Rutherford
Republican

 Elected Treasurer

Mike Frerichs
Democratic

Incumbent Republican Treasurer Dan Rutherford did not run for re-election to a second term in office. He instead ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for governor.

Declared
Withdrew
Declined

Polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin
of error		 Tom
Cross		 Bob
Grogan		 Bob
Schillerstrom		 Other Undecided
Battleground Polling November 3–11, 2013 535 ± 3.97% 27% 13% — — 60%
Battleground Polling May 20–27, 2013 400 ± 4.8% — 21% 18% 61% —

Results
Republican primary results[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Cross 397,691 57.4
Republican Bob Grogan 295,682 42.6
Total votes 693,373 100.0
Declared

Results
Democratic primary results[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mike Frerichs 385,585 100.0
Total votes 385,585 100.0

Polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin
of error		 Tom
Cross (R)		 Mike
Frerichs (D)		 Matthew
Skopek (L)		 Other Undecided
McKeon & Associates October 28, 2014 823 ± 3.9% 35% 32% 7% — 26%
APC Research October 16–21, 2014 800 ± 3.5% 38% 34% 7% 2% 20%
We Ask America October 7, 2014 1,083 ± 2.98% 40% 39% 6% — 15%
Communication Express September 30, 2014 1,134 ± 2.87% 44% 34% 3% — 19%
We Ask America September 17, 2014 1,071 ± 3.1% 43% 35% 7% — 15%
We Ask America September 4, 2014 1,014 ± 3.08% 43% 37% 6% — 14%
We Ask America July 31, 2014 1,005 ± 3.1% 45% 33% — — 21%
We Ask America June 17, 2014 1,021 ± 3.07% 43% 34% — — 23%
We Ask America[22] April 27, 2014 — ± 3.14% 41% 37% — — 22%
We Ask America[23] April 21, 2014 — ± 3.21% 33% 20% — — 47%

Results
Illinois State Treasurer election, 2014[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Mike Frerichs 1,694,884 48.05% +2.79%
Republican Tom Cross 1,685,659 47.79% -1.89%
Libertarian Matthew Skopek 146,654 4.16% +2.27%
Total votes 3,527,197 100.0%
Democratic gain from Republican

State Senate
Main article: 2014 Illinois Senate election

One-third of the seats of the Illinois Senate were up for election in 2014.

State House of Representatives
Main article: 2014 Illinois House of Representatives election

All of Illinois' 18 seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election in 2014.

The Republican Party flipped two Democratic-held seats, making the composition of Illinois' House delegation 10 Democrats and 8 Republicans.

Judicial elections
Main article: 2014 Illinois judicial elections

Judicial elections were held, which consisted of both partisan and retention elections, including those one seat of the Supreme Court of Illinois for ten seats in the Illinois Appellate Court.[31]

Ballot measures

Illinois voters voted on a two ballot measures in 2014.[32] In order to be approved, the measures required either 60% support among those specifically voting on the amendment or 50% support among all ballots cast in the elections.[32]

Illinois Crime Victims' Bill of Rights
Main article: Marsy's Law (Illinois)

Illinois voters approved the Illinois Crime Victims' Bill of Rights (commonly known as "Marsy's Law"), a legislatively referred constitutional amendment.

Results
Illinois Crime Victims' Bill of Rights[2][32][33]
Option Votes  % of votes
on measure		  % of all ballots
cast
Yes 2,653,475 78.4 72.10
No 728,991 21.6 19.81
Total votes 3,382,466 100 91.90
Voter turnout 45.07%

Illinois Right to Vote Amendment
Main article: Illinois Right to Vote Amendment

Illinois voters approved the Illinois Right to Vote Amendment, a legislatively referred constitutional amendment. The amendment was designed to provide that no person shall be denied the right to register to vote or cast a ballot in an election based on race, color, ethnicity, language, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation or income.[34]

Both proponents and opponents argued that the legislation was intended to block Voter Identification laws from being passed in Illinois.[34]

The measure added a Section 8 to Article III of the Constitution of Illinois which reads,

No person shall be denied the right to register to vote or to cast a ballot in an election based on race, color, ethnicity, status as a member of a language minority, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or income.[34]

Results
Illinois Right to Vote Amendment[2][32]
Option Votes  % of votes
on measure		  % of all ballots
cast
Yes 2,350,114 70.99 63.85
No 960,181 29.01 26.09
Total votes 3,310,295 100 89.94
Voter turnout 44.24%

Local elections

Local elections were held. These included county elections, such as the Cook County elections.

Notes
  1. For more on Cook County primary turnout, see 2014 Cook County, Illinois elections#Voter turnout
  2. For more on Cook County general election turnout, see 2014 Cook County, Illinois elections#Voter turnout

References
  1. "Voter Turnout". www.elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  2. "Voter Turnout". www.elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  3. "November 4, 2014 General election Official results" (PDF). Illinois Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 28, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  4. "Quinn Running Again Because "I Think I'm Doing A Good Job"". NBC Chicago. November 29, 2012. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  5. "Simon will not run again for lieutenant governor". Chicago Tribune. February 13, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  6. Thomas, Charles (October 8, 2013). "Gov candidate Bruce Rauner announces Evelyn Sanguinetti as running mate". ABC 7 Chicago. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  7. "Pat Quinn Concedes Illinois Gubernatorial Race to Bruce Rauner". Huffington Post. November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  8. "November 4, 2014 General election Official results" (PDF). Illinois Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 28, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  9. "This just in… Lisa Madigan announces reelection bid". Capitol Fax. July 15, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  10. Official Illinois State Board of Elections Results Archived 2015-01-12 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  11. "Schimpf discusses why he wants Attorney General job". Peoria Public Radio. September 18, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  12. "Sheriff Curran drops attorney general bid". Lake County News-Sun. February 13, 2013. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  13. "Mike Webster Announces Bid for Illinois Attorney General". Joliet Patch. October 24, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  14. "Leader Cross eyeing attorney general bid". Capitol Fax. May 20, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  15. "Durkin to run for House GOP Leader, won't vote for gay marriage". Capitol Fax. May 30, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  16. "Jesse White launches bid to seek re-election as secretary of state". Chicago Tribune. September 13, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  17. "Hinsdale attorney to challenge Jesse White for secretary of state". The Doings Hinsdale. November 20, 2013. Archived from the original on December 25, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
  18. "Secretary of state candidate headed to Sugar Grove". Kane County Chronicle. September 28, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  19. "Sheila Simon to run for comptroller". Chicago Tribune. August 1, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  20. "Judy Baar Topinka running for Comptroller re-election". ABC Local. September 15, 2013. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  21. "Simon still thinking about comptroller?". Capitol Fax. March 20, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  22. Poll identified candidate's party
  23. Poll did not identify candidate's party
  24. "Big GOP guns back Cross' treasurer run, but House Republicans suffer". Chicago Business. September 13, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  25. "DuPage auditor running for state treasurer". ABC Local. August 27, 2013. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  26. "New name emerges in Illinois Treasurer race". Chicago Sun-Times. April 8, 2013. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  27. "Former DuPage board chairman ends state treasurer bid". Chicago Tribune. September 5, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  28. "Poe among contenders to replace Cross as GOP House leader". State Journal-Register. August 21, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  29. Steinberg, Neil (May 30, 2013). "State Treasurer Dan Rutherford to announce run for governor". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  30. "Frerichs to run for state treasurer". The News-Gazette. June 21, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  31. "Illinois judicial elections, 2014". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  32. "Illinois Constitution - Amendments Proposed". www.ilga.gov. Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  33. "Election Results: General Election—11/4/2014". Illinois State Board of Elections. November 4, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
  34. "Illinois Right to Vote Amendment (2014)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
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