Politics & Government
Illinois 10th Congressional District Primary: Incumbent Brad Schneider Faces Challenger Morgan Coghill
Schneider, who is seeking his seventh term, and newcomer Morgan Coghill, of Mundelein, square off. The primary election is Tuesday.
Voters across Illinois’ 10th Congressional District will decide Tuesday whether to select longtime incumbent Brad Schneider or challenger Morgan Coghill to advance to the general election.
Schneider, of Highland Park, has served six terms in Congress and currently is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and chair of the New Democrat Coalition. He also sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Coghill, a Mundelein resident and a small business owner, is running as a progressive populist and political outsider.
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The primary winner will advance to the November general election for the U.S. House seat representing Illinois’ 10th Congressional District, which spans parts of Lake, Cook and McHenry counties.
Key Issues: Economy And Cost Of Living
Both candidates have emphasized the rising cost of living as a central issue in the campaign.
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Schneider has focused much of his campaign on economic affordability, arguing Congress must prioritize lowering everyday costs for working families.
In responses to Patch’s candidate questionnaire, Schneider said rising grocery prices, housing costs, health care expenses and child care are putting pressure on households across the district.
Congress, he said, should continue working to reduce prescription drug costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate prices and by capping out-of-pocket costs for seniors. Schneider also emphasized the need to strengthen the broader economy through investments in domestic manufacturing, infrastructure and workforce training.
“The most important issue is the economy...too many people feel like they are doing everything right and still falling behind," Schneider said in his questionnaire responses.
The incumbent also highlighted housing affordability as a major concern.
"Congress should expand support for affordable housing development, reduce barriers to construction, and help local communities increase supply while protecting existing residents," Schneider said. "Stable housing is foundational to economic opportunity, public health, and educational outcomes."
Coghill has also highlighted the economic pressures facing working families, saying the current political system has failed to address them.
“I am an unbought progressive populist,” Coghill said in his candidate questionnaire response to Patch. He says he is running a grassroots campaign and does not accept donations from major lobbying groups or industries such as pharmaceutical or insurance companies.
"I do not take money from AIPAC or insurance or pharma companies," he said "I am entirely grassroots. This means I can represent the district with fidelity."
Coghill has proposed policies including Medicare for All, universal pre-kindergarten and higher wages.
He has also called for policies aimed at helping first-time homebuyers and reducing tariffs on building materials to lower housing costs.
"Taxpayer dollars should be directed to programs that help the neediest among us. There is no good reason to be giving tax breaks to multi billionaires," Coghill said.
Immigration And ICE Enforcement
Immigration enforcement and federal immigration policy have also emerged as major points of debate in the race.
During a candidate forum last month, both Schneider and Coghill said changes are needed in federal immigration enforcement, though their approaches differ significantly.
Coghill has taken a more sweeping stance, calling for the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“We will use every tool in the legislative toolbox to make sure ICE is abolished,” Coghill said during the forum.
Schneider has instead argued for reform and stronger oversight of immigration enforcement while maintaining border security.
He has proposed legislation that would require immigration agents to clearly display identification, prohibit the use of masks during arrests, require body cameras and establish stricter standards for the use of force.
Enforcement operations carried out by the Trump administration has created fear in communities without improving safety, Schneider said.
"Ultimately, solving challenges with immigration within Congress will require a thoughtful, tough, but fair approach," Schneider said. "We need to pass bipartisan legislation that includes reforms that effectively secure the border and get dangerous criminals off our streets, while also providing a pathway to citizenship for immigrants who have lived here peacefully for years."
Criminal Justice And Education
Both candidates support the SAFE-T Act, which was introduced in Illinois in September 2023 and included the elimination of cash bail.
Morgan Coghill said eliminating cash bail should be the standard nationwide, arguing the system unfairly keeps poorer defendants behind bars because they cannot afford release.
Brad Schneider has expressed similar support, saying wealth should not determine whether someone can be released before trial. He added that courts must still be able to detain individuals who pose a danger to public safety.
On education funding, both candidates said disparities exist between wealthy- and lower-income school districts.
Coghill has proposed addressing the issue through a wealth tax and reducing reliance on property taxes for school funding.
"A 2% wealth tax will allow us to start bringing schools up to their wealthier peers," he said "If we can phase out property taxes as the majority of the formula, we can have better performing schools for all income levels."
Schneider has instead focused on increasing federal investment in Title I schools and fully funding special education programs to ensure students across income levels receive equal opportunities.
"The quality of a child’s education should not depend on their zip code," he said. "We need every child in America to get the lessons and skills they need to reach their potential and lift up our country."
Foreign Policy And Iran Conflict
Foreign policy has also surfaced as an issue in the campaign.
Schneider has expressed concern in recent weeks about the president’s authority to launch military action without congressional approval.
In a statement, Schneider said Congress must reassert its constitutional authority over decisions about war and called for immediate classified briefings and hearings to review the administration’s actions.
"Our Constitution explicitly gives Congress the exclusive power to declare war. The President of the United States is not allowed to take our nation to war without authorization from Congress," said Schneider, adding he would support a War Powers Resolution aimed at reasserting congressional oversight.
At the same time, Schneider warned Iran remains a major threat to regional stability and to U.S. allies, including Israel, and said the international community must work together to prevent the Iranian regime from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Coghill sharply criticized U.S. policy toward the conflict, accusing establishment politicians of enabling the situation and calling for stronger accountability from Congress, according to a statement released by Coghill.
"While most of America was asleep in their beds yesterday, President Trump and Israel began an illegal war with Iran,” Coghill said in his statement.
He also called on Trump to be impeached.
"President Trump has overtly demonstrated his indifference to human life on our own soil, so no one should be surprised when he demonstrates the same callousness abroad — don’t believe the talking points — Congressman Schneider has the same blood on his hands," he said.
Incumbent Versus Newcomer: Will Voters Stick With Schneider?
One of the clearest contrasts in the race is the candidates’ experience.
Schneider has represented the district for six terms and argues his experience and bipartisan record have helped deliver results for suburban communities in the Chicago region.
He has highlighted work on infrastructure investments, health care affordability and environmental protections, as well as his role as the chair of the New Democrat Coalition.
"I believe I am the best candidate because I bring proven experience, effective leadership, and a results-driven record of delivering for the people of Illinois’ 10th District," he said in his candidate questionnaire.
Coghill, by contrast, has centered his campaign on the idea that Washington insiders have failed to adequately represent working families.
He has frequently referenced his own upbringing in poverty and argues his background allows him to better understand the economic struggles many residents face.
“I grew up poor,” Coghill said during a recent candidate forum. “I know what it’s like to grow up on SNAP.”
Upcoming Primary: March 17
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 17 as voters get out to cast their ballot in various local, state and federal races, including the 10th Congressional District. Early voting is also underway across counties in Illinois and more information on that can be found below:
Towns included in the 10th district are: Bannockburn, Beach Park, Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Fort Sheridan, Fox Lake, Glencoe, Glenview, Grayslake, Great Lakes, Green Oaks, Gurnee, Hainesville, Highland Park, Highwood, Indian Creek, Ingleside, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Lake Villa, Lakemoor, Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Lindenhurst, Long Grove, McHenry, Mettawa, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Mundelein, Niles, North Chicago, Northbrook, Park City, Park Ridge, Prairie View, Prospect Heights, Riverwoods, Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Heights, Round Lake Park, Spring Grove, Third Lake, Vernon Hills, Volo, Wadsworth, Waukegan, Wheeling, Winnetka, Winthrop Harbor and Zion.
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