Local 1600 Delivers Strong Results in the March 2026 Primary Election

Our political work is not separate from our mission as a union. Every candidate we support, every door we knock, and every contribution we make through our COPE program advances our ability to fight for needed changes in Illinois. 

Major Victories

Illinois House 40th District — Miguel Alvelo-Rivera The race in the 40th District stands as our signature victory of this election cycle. Miguel Alvelo-Rivera, a proven advocate for workers' rights, defeated a thirteen-year incumbent who benefited from more than two million dollars in outside spending from Draft Kings, Meta, and Michael Sacks. Local 1600 held multiple days of action in this race, with our members volunteering their time to knock on doors throughout the district. Our coalition was outspent seven-to-one, but we had people on the ground, and Miguel won by more than ten points. Miguel will be a strong partner for Local 1600 in Springfield.

Illinois House 8th District — Shantel Franklin Shantel Franklin is going to be a shining star in Springfield, and Local 1600 was proud to be one of her earliest supporters in this campaign. Our early endorsement gave her campaign a critical foothold at a time when it mattered most. Shantel grew up on the West Side of Chicago, where she experienced housing insecurity firsthand. She earned her way to college and then to a graduate degree, eventually writing public policy for the Illinois Attorney General's Office. Her personal story and professional expertise make her an extraordinary addition to the General Assembly.

Illinois Senate 9th District — Patrick Hanley Patrick Hanley brings a strong record of civic leadership to the Illinois Senate. He chairs the Winnetka Environmental and Forestry Commission, serves on the board of Openlands, co-founded the Winnetka Future Energy Coalition, and has helped lead major volunteer and justice-march organizing efforts across the north suburbs. We are pleased to welcome him as an ally.

United States Congress 7th District — La Shawn Ford

La Shawn Ford has been a longtime friend of Local 1600 during his tenure in the Illinois House, where he has consistently supported legislation advancing the interests of community colleges. His election to Congress is exciting news for the West Side and near-west suburbs, and we look forward to having a proven community college champion representing our communities in Washington.

Standing with Our Allies

Several longtime friends of Local 1600 faced primary challengers this cycle. We stood with them to ensure that proven partners would return to Springfield.

Representative Lilian Jiménez prevailed in the 4th House District. A Chicago native, attorney, and advocate, Representative Jiménez has spoken up and fought for community college funding. She is a staunch advocate for working-class families, immigrant rights, and underinvested Black and Brown communities. Representative Aaron Ortiz, in the 1st House District, won his race decisively. A former teacher and college counselor at Back of the Yards High School and a proud IFT member, he brings his background in urban planning and community leadership to his work advocating for equity, education, and immigrant rights. Representative Kam Buckner held his seat in the 26th House District. A South Side Chicago native, Representative Buckner brings extensive public-service experience to the General Assembly. 

We are grateful that each of these allies will continue their work in Springfield.

Cook County Board Victories

The Cook County Board manages infrastructure that directly impacts our students and our colleges. Healthcare, transportation, food assistance, and other vital services flow through the county, making these races critically important to the communities we serve.

In the 6th District, Patricia Joan Murphy won her race. Trish Murphy is a trustee at Moraine Valley Community College and a committeeperson who has been a strong supporter of our political activities. In the 8th District, Jessica Vasquez retained her seat. She has been a consistent advocate for affordable housing and healthcare. In the 12th District, Elizabeth Granato won on the strength of her background managing county government, bringing important institutional knowledge to the board. And in the 15th District, Ted Mason won his race. Mason previously served as chief of staff to outgoing County Board member Kevin Morrison and brings valuable experience in county governance.

Tough Losses

In an election of this scope, not every race breaks in our favor. Several of our endorsed candidates fell short, and we want to acknowledge their efforts and their partnership.

Karina Villa, running for Illinois Comptroller, has been a close ally of Local 1600, carrying our student mental health legislation in the Illinois Senate. When she announced her statewide candidacy, we joined the effort immediately. As a licensed social worker who began her career in schools, she has been a powerful advocate for public education. We are grateful for her continued work.

Jared Ploger, in the 84th House District, is an IFT member who has led strikes and fought for strong contracts. We had hoped to see a fellow IFT member in the General Assembly, and we remain proud of his campaign.

In federal races, Senator Mike Simmons fell short in the 9th Congressional District, and Senator Robert Peters fell short in the 2nd Congressional District. Both are great community college advocates and great partners of Local 1600. The good news is that both will remain in the Illinois Senate, where they will continue to champion our priorities in Springfield.

Aja Kearney, running in the 34th House District on the South Side, and Erin Chan Ding, running in the 52nd House District in the northwest suburbs, were new friends this election cycle. Both ran strong campaigns in difficult races, and we were proud to support them.

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Results for All Endorsed Candidates

United States Congress 

• US Senate: Juliana Stratton  win

• US Congress 2nd: Robert Peters loss

• US Congress 6th: Sean Casten win

• US Congress 7th: La Shawn Ford win

• US Congress 8th: Kevin Morrison loss

• US Congress 9th: Mike Simmons loss

  
  

Illinois Statewide Offices

• IL Comptroller: Karina Villa loss

Illinois General Assembly (Senate)

• IL Senate 6th: Sara Feigenholtz win

• IL Senate 9th: Patrick Hanley win

• IL  Senate 10th: Robert Martwick win

• IL Senate 14th: Emil Jones, III win

• IL Senate 20th: Graciela Guzman win

• IL Senate 26th: Nabeela Syed win

• IL Senate 27th: Carina Santa Maria win

• IL Senate 33rd: Michele Clark win

Illinois General Assembly (House)

• IL House 1st: Aaron Ortiz win

• IL House 4th: Lilian Jiménez win

• IL House 8th: Shantel Franklin win

• IL House 13th: Adam Braun loss

• IL House 16th: Kevin Olickal win

• IL House 21st: Abdelnasser Rashid win

• IL House 26th: Kam Buckner win

• IL House 34th: Aja Kearney loss 

• IL House 40th: Miguel Alvelo Rivera win

• IL House 42nd: Lynn LaPlante loss 

• IL House 52nd: Erin Chan Ding loss 

• IL House 77th: Norma Hernandez win

• IL House 84th: Jared Ploger loss

• Cook County Board 

  • President: Toni Preckwinkle win

  • Assessor: Fritz Kaegi loss 

  • District 1: Tara Stamps win

  • District 6: Patricia Joan Murphy win

  • District 7: Alma Anaya win

  • District 8: Jessica Vasquez win

  • District 12: Elizabeth Granato win

  • District 15: Ted Mason win

• Cook County Water Reclamation District:  

  • Beth McElroy Kirkwood win

  • Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda win

  • Precious Brady-Davis  win

  • Cameron “Cam” Davis win

    
    

• Democratic Township Committee Person

  • Orland Township: Beth McElroy Kirkwood win

  • Thornton Township: Napoleon Harris  win

  • Wheeling Township: Mary Beth Canty win

  • Worth Township: Patricia Joan Murphy win

• Judicial 

  • Appellate Court District 1: Judith Rice win

  • Appellate Court District 3: Margaret “Peggy” O’Connell win