Abolish ICE, raise the minimum wage: The issues shaping Illinois’ Democratic Senate showdown

Record ID: 2363834

  • Title: Abolish ICE, raise the minimum wage: The issues shaping Illinois’ Democratic Senate showdown
  • Date: 13th March 2026
  • Summary: CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES (MARCH 9, 2026) (REUTERS) KELLY TALKING WITH ILLINOIS VOTER STRATTON TALKING WITH ILLINOIS VOTER CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES (MARCH 10, 2026) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR AT NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, WILLIAM ADLER, SAYING: “So we've got three major candidates, all from the Democratic Party, all re
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  • Keywords: America American Chicago Democratic Democrats Dems Dick Durbin Illinois Juliana Stratton Robin Kelly Senate Trump US USA elect election elections primary seat vote
  • Location: VARIOUS
  • City: VARIOUS
  • Country: US
  • Topics: North America,Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA005351912032026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Voters in Illinois are heading toward a closely-watched Democratic primary that political analysts believe will most likely determine the state’s next U.S. senator.
    “The biggest thing to keep in mind is that because Illinois is such a heavily Democratic state, basically whoever wins this primary contest is going to almost certainly be the next senator from Illinois," said William Adler, political science professor at Northeastern Illinois University.
    Three major Democrats are competing for the open Senate seat: U.S. Representative Robin Kelly, Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, and U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi.
    Adler says the Democratic field reflects different wings of the party, with Kelly representing a more left-leaning perspective, Stratton positioning herself between factions, and Krishnamoorthi appealing to more moderate voters.
    The candidates are highlighting differing approaches on key issues such as immigration and economic policy.
    Kelly has called for major structural changes to immigration enforcement, saying the Department of Homeland Security should be dismantled and restructured, with new approaches to asylum processing and a faster path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and Dreamers.
    She has also centered her campaign on economic equity, arguing that corporations and wealthy Americans should pay more taxes to fund affordable housing, healthcare, childcare and higher wages.
    Stratton has taken a similarly progressive stance on immigration, pledging to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and redirect resources toward immigration courts and community services while creating a clearer path to citizenship.
    On the economy, Stratton has emphasized affordability, proposing to raise the federal minimum wage to $25 an hour and arguing that everyday costs—from groceries to housing—are straining Illinois families.
    Krishnamoorthi could not be reached by Reuters for comment.
    (Production: Eric Cox)
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