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Illinois, Governor

Businessman J.B. Pritzker (D) defeated incumbent Bruce Rauner (R), Grayson "Kash" Jackson (L), and William "Sam" McCann (Conservative) in the November 6, 2018, general election for Governor of Illinois.

Between Election Day 2014 and Election Day 2018, Pritzker contributed $171.5 million to his own campaign while Rauner contributed $67.8 million to his run. Rauner was first elected in 2014 by a margin of 4 percentage points. Of the ten preceding gubernatorial elections, a Republican candidate won seven—including Rauner's victory in 2014—and a Democratic candidate won three. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) carried the state by 17 percentage points.

Polls

Illinois Governor 2018

Poll Poll sponsor J.B. Pritzker (D) Bruce Rauner (R)Kash Jackson (L)Sam McCann (C)Undecided/OtherMargin of ErrorSample Size
Victory Research
(November 1-3, 2018)
N/A 49%33%5%8%6%+/----1,208
Ipsos
(September 27 - October 5, 2018)
Thomson Reuters/University of Virginia 50%30%3%6%12%+/-3.6968
Victory Research
(September 27 - October 2, 2018)
N/A 47%32%6%7%8%+/-2.81,208
Simon Institute
(September 24-29, 2018)
N/A 49%27%4%4%17%+/-3.7715
Anzalone Lizst Grove Research
Forward Illinois 48%32%3%4%13%+/-3.11,007

Illinois Governor 2018

Poll Poll sponsor J.B. Pritzker (D) Bruce Rauner (R)Kash Jackson (L)Sam McCann (C)Undecided/OtherMargin of ErrorSample Size
Research America
(September 5-13, 2018)
Illinois Broadcasters Association 44%27%4%6%18%+/-3.11,024
Marist College
(August 12-16, 2018)
NBC News 46%30%6%4%15%+/-4.4734
Illinois Public Opinion, Inc.
(July 12, 2018)
N/A 39%26%1%10%23%+/-5.0423
University of Illinois/Illinois Public Radio
(July 3 - August 15, 2018)
N/A 35%23%0%0%42%+/-3.7717
We Ask America
(June 9-11, 2018)
Capitol Fax 36%27%0%0%37%+/-4.0600
Ogden & Fry
(March 23, 2018)
N/A 46%28%0%0%26%+/-3.87667
Illinois Governor 2018 (no margin of error information)
Poll J.B. Pritzker (D) Bruce Rauner (R)Undecided/OtherSample size
Victory Research
(April 2018)
49%31%19%1,208


Illinois Governor 2018 (Pritzker vs. Rauner hypothetical matchup)
Poll J.B. Pritzker (D) Bruce Rauner (R)Undecided/OtherMargin of errorSample size
Southern Illinois University
(February 19-25, 2018)
50%35%15%+/-3.01,001
Illinois Governor 2018 (Biss vs. Rauner hypothetical matchup)
Poll Daniel Biss (D) Bruce Rauner (R)Undecided/OtherMargin of errorSample size
Southern Illinois University
(February 19-25, 2018)
48%34%18%+/-3.01,001

Race ratings

The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato's Crystal Ball. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage. Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.

Race ratings: Illinois gubernatorial election, 2018

Race trackerRace ratings
November 5, 2018October 30, 2018October 23, 2018October 16, 2018
The Cook Political ReportLikely DemocraticLikely DemocraticLikely DemocraticLikely Democratic
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesLikely DemocraticLikely DemocraticLikely DemocraticLikely Democratic
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallLikely DemocraticLikely DemocraticLikely DemocraticLikely Democratic

Election history

2014

In the 2014 gubernatorial election, incumbent Pat Quinn (D) was defeated by Bruce Rauner (R).

Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngBruce Rauner/Evelyn Sanguinetti 50.3% 1,823,627
Democratic Pat Quinn/Paul Vallas Incumbent 46.3% 1,681,343
Libertarian Chad Grimm/Alex Cummings 3.4% 121,534
Nonpartisan Write-in votes 0% 1,186
Total Votes 3,627,690
Election results via Illinois State Board of Elections

2010

In the 2010 gubernatorial election, incumbent Pat Quinn (D) defeated Bill Brady (R).

Governor and Lt. Governor of Illinois, 2010

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngPat Quinn & Sheila Simon Incumbent 46.8% 1,745,219
Republican Bill Brady & Jason Plummer 45.9% 1,713,385
Independent Scott Lee Cohen & Baxter Swilley 3.6% 135,705
Green Rich Whitney & Don Crawford 2.7% 100,756
Libertarian Lex Green & Ed Ruthledge 0.9% 34,681
None Write-in 0% 243
Total Votes 3,729,989

Demographics

Demographic data for Illinois

IllinoisU.S.
Total population:12,839,047316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):55,5193,531,905
Gender
Female:50.9%50.8%
Race and ethnicity**
White:72.3%73.6%
Black/African American:14.3%12.6%
Asian:5%5.1%
Native American:0.2%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0%0.2%
Two or more:2.2%3%
Hispanic/Latino:16.5%17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:87.9%86.7%
College graduation rate:32.3%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$57,574$53,889
Persons below poverty level:16.8%11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Illinois.

As of July 2016, Illinois' three largest cities were Chicago (pop. est. 2.7 million), Aurora (pop. est. 200,000), and Joliet (pop. est. 150,000).