Illinois Secretary Of State Race: Primary Election 2026

ILLINOIS — Two Republican candidates, including a woman who lives in Joliet, are competing in the March 17 Illinois primary for the chance to go up against Democrat incumbent officeholder Alexi Giannoulias in the November general election for Illinois Secretary of State.

Giannoulias is finishing his first four-year term of office as the Secretary of State. Back in 2006, he was elected the youngest state treasurer in the country at age 30. Giannoulias oversees the largest Secretary of State's office in the country with more than 4,000 employees and 25 departments.

According to his website, Giannoulias launched an ongoing effort to transform and modernize the office’s outdated and aging technology, making it more secure and efficient and enabling Illinoisans to obtain more services online, replacing the need to visit a DMV. He noted that the customer experience has been improved by eliminating the “Time Tax,” or the amount of time that Illinoisans spend waiting in lines or filling out forms to obtain simple, but essential, government services.

Giannoulias noted that he implemented his “Skip-the-Line” program, allowing Illinoisans to make appointments at the state’s busiest DMV facilities, which has reduced wait times, and cross-trained employees to increase efficiencies. To accommodate more on-demand requests for services, the office has deployed more mobile units, created “pop-up” DMVs and established multiple Senior Centers at no cost to the office, specifically designed to assist senior drivers.

As for the Republican challengers, Joliet's Diane Harris identifies herself as "a conservative republican, born and raised with Midwestern values as the second child of a stay-at-home mother and a professional chauffeur for over 30 years. We didn’t live beyond our means, and from a young age, I was taught the importance of integrity, kindness, helping others but working hard for the things needed to achieve. Those values have guided me throughout my personal and religious life, public service, and professional career," according to her website.

Harris noted that she retired from ComEd after 32 years of dedicated service in the electric utility industry.

Harris features a section on her campaign website that explains "Why I'm Running."

"Many DMV offices have closed inconveniencing residents. Currently Kiosks exist in just 15 spots, mostly urban, leaving most of Illinois behind. My plan will offer kiosks in areas that are forgotten, speed up the Fast Lane service and update the 1980s systems risk hacks offering modern technology and innovativeness for all: a unified online portal will streamline services, present drive up services, maintaining cyber security while keeping you and your family's data safe," Harris declared.

Her campaign offers to open the door for all citizens related to the following Department of Motor Vehicle services:

• Advocate for safer, smarter rules of the roads protecting families' safety and young drivers.
• Expedite customer service in person and remote services.
• Clean up the voter rolls and promote election integrity during all registrations.
• Strengthen cybersecurity to protect against fraud and protect your personal information.
• Deliver modern, innovative services that are faster, fairer, and more accessible to all Illinoisans.
• Work with legislators to reduce fees for seniors, veterans and DMV customers.
• Create a customer friendly and respectful environment.

As for her Republican primary opponent, the Walter Adamczyk for Secretary of State website proclaims he will "give driver's licenses or state IDs to Homeless Veterans for Free."

Adamczyk also created a Facebook page sharing the news of his candidacy for Illinois Secretary of State, declaring, "My name is Walter Adamczyk and I am a lifelong resident of Chicago and I am a Lead ramp Agent at O'Hare Airport, I live in the Galewood Montclare area and I am a member of the Rutherford Sayrepark Advisory Council Also a member of Galewood Montclare Garden Club. In my spare time. I volunteer by providing blankets, sleeping bags and food to the homeless."

Adamczyk's website explains he is running for the office based on the following platforms:

• Improving state recordkeeping and DMV operations
• Strengthening voter access and system integrity
• Increasing transparency in licensing and document processing
• Reducing bureaucracy for business and state residents

"The honorable men and women who served our great nation deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and efficiency," Adamczyk's campaign site advises voters. "As Illinois Secretary of State, I will ensure that all honorably discharged veterans receive a FREE Illinois Driver’s License and/or State ID upon presenting proof of service. Our veterans earned that right through sacrifice and service to this country.

"Additionally, I will bring back walk-in service and create dedicated Express Lanes for Veterans at Secretary of State facilities across Illinois. Veterans should not be forced to navigate appointment backlogs or long waits. A veteran should be able to walk in, be served promptly, and be treated with appreciation—no appointment required.

"For too long, Illinois veterans have been overlooked when it comes to basic services. Under my leadership, veterans will receive fast, free, and respectful service—the way it should be."