Politics
Illinois Senate candidates split over how to ease household costs
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Republican Don Tracy agree that affordability is a central concern for Illinois voters, but offer sharply different explanations and remedies. Their disagreements also span immigration enforcement, the Supreme Court and the federal government’s handling of the Iran conflict.
With the midterm elections less than two weeks away, Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and former state Republican Party chairman Don Tracy are making affordability a central argument in their campaigns to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.
Both candidates say rising costs are weighing on voters. Stratton points to expenses such as gasoline, health care, utilities and groceries, and says the federal government should raise the minimum wage, expand access to affordable health care and regulate some industries.
“Everything is too expensive right now,” Stratton said, describing the strain of paying for everyday needs. She has also criticized President Donald Trump’s policies, including cuts to Medicaid and the administration’s handling of the ongoing conflict in Iran.
Tracy attributes high prices to Illinois’ costs and inflation he says persisted after former President Joe Biden’s four years in office. He said voters are also concerned about the growing influence of Democratic Socialists in Democratic primaries.
Tracy has characterized Stratton’s views as aligned with Democratic Socialists. Stratton rejects that label, saying, “I’m not a socialist. I’m a Democrat.”
The candidates also differ on the Supreme Court. Tracy opposes expanding the court or imposing term limits on justices, arguing that the system generally works, though he said the court is already too political. Stratton said reforms such as expansion or term limits should be considered and said she would not support confirming any of Trump’s Supreme Court nominees.
On immigration, Stratton supports abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, saying the federal government needs to rethink immigration enforcement and that ICE is terrorizing communities. Tracy opposes eliminating the agency, arguing that doing so would end interior immigration enforcement.
Although Tracy’s views often align with Trump’s, he said he would not automatically back the president’s agenda if elected. “I will not be a rubber stamp for anyone,” he said.
The contest is unfolding amid a broader national fight for control of the Senate. For Illinois voters, the candidates’ competing approaches put the costs of daily life alongside questions about health care, immigration enforcement and the balance of power in the courts.