Election 2020 In Skokie: We Want To Hear From Voters

SKOKIE, IL — Illinois' 2020 primary election is less than a month away and Patch wants to know what's on the minds of voters in Skokie. The March 17 vote, which happens to fall on St. Patrick's Day, will allocate the state's delegates to the Democratic and Republican national presidential nominating conventions this summer, and voters will also pick candidates in some contested statehouse and congressional party primaries.

With the recent impeachment of Republican President Donald Trump and 13 Democratic candidates set to appear on the Illinois ballot, eight of whom are still campaigning for the nomination, the race for the White House is heating up.

Six Democratic candidates submitted lists of delegates they are seeking to represent them from the 9th Congressional District, which included three Skokie residents — Niles Township High School District 219 School Board President David Ko supporting former Vice President Joe Biden; Anub Abraham supporting Sen. Bernie Sanders and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Josina Morita supporting Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Billionaires Mike Bloomberg and Tom Steyer did not submit delegate lists, nor did U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.

There are no competitive congressional primaries in the 9th District, where Sargis Sangari makes his second attempt to unseat U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky.

The only competitive statehouse primary on the North Shore is for the Democratic Party's nomination for the 16th District Illinois House seat, which was held by Niles Township Democratic Committeeman Lou Lang up until last year and includes parts of Skokie and Chicago's 50th Ward. Lang and former Committeeman Ira Silverstein appointed Rep. Mark Kalish to the seat.

Kalish, a lobbyist and the first rabbi to serve in the state legislature, faces two challengers: 26-year-old Illinois Democratic Party operative Kevin Olickal and founder of the gun control advocacy group People for a Safer Society Denyse Wang Stoneback, who has received Lang's endorsement to replace the man he appointed last year.

Before early voting begins on March 2, Skokie Patch wants to hear from the community. What are the biggest issues facing Illinois and the nation heading into the primary? What impact does national politics have on local voters?

To share your views, take a moment to fill out the brief election survey below. Unless otherwise noted, responses may be used in future news coverage, though no names will be posted on Patch without authorization. Responses are due Feb. 27.

Illinois 2020 Primary Election Deadlines

• Early voting: March 2-16
• Voter registration deadline: Tuesday, Feb. 18; Online by Saturday, Feb. 29
• Voter registration "grace period:" Wednesday, Feb. 19 through Election Day
• Election Day registration and voting (call your local election office): Tuesday, March 17
• Deadline to request an absentee ballot: in-person request by Monday, March 16
• Deadline to return completed absentee ballot: Post received by Tuesday, March 31