35th WARD PROGRESSIVE VOTER GUIDE
2026 ILLINOIS GENERAL ELECTION
THE PRIMARY ELECTION DAY IS
TUESDAY, March 17th 2026
Follow the link above to check your voter registration status, find your polling location, and see a list of your districts.
You can register to vote and vote simultaneously at any of the early voting locations, or on election day November 5 in your home precinct.
You will need two forms of identification. One of those forms will need to have your current address. Follow the link above to learn about the forms of ID you can bring with you.
Early Voting begins at all ward sites on
March 2nd, 2026.
To find a list of early voting locations, please follow the link above. Any Chicagoan can vote at any of the 50 sites.
The 35th Ward site is located at: Northeastern Il University El Centro, 3390 N. Avondale Ave.
Weekdays: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Election Day: 6:00am – 7:00pm (November 5)
Voters can request a vote by mail ballot until March 12th, 2026, but we recommend allowing more time for your ballot to arrive.
The last day to return your vote by mail ballot to your elections authority is March 17th, 2026.
Ballots must be postmarked by
March 17th, 2026 to be valid in the election.
Beware of changes in the USPS postmark process. Your ballot may not be stamped on the day you drop it unless you get it manually stamped at a branch.
If you choose to vote in person, return your mail-in ballot at your voting site.
Our Candidates
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 40 / REPRESENTANTE, DISTRITO 40
Miguel Alvelo-Rivera (challenger)
www.miguelfor40.org
Miguel Alvelo-Rivera is running for 40th District State Representative. Miguel has a proven track record of showing up for our working-class communities through his leadership as an immigrant and labor rights organizer with Latino Union of Chicago and through his participation in our local, grassroots independent political organizations. UN35 endorsed Miguel because he will work to protect our immigrant neighbors from deportation, reform our outdated tax code to tax the rich, address the threat of climate change, and protect affordable housing by lifting the ban on rent control.
Miguel Alvelo-Rivera se postula para Representante Estatal del Distrito 40. Miguel tiene una trayectoria comprobada de apoyar a nuestras comunidades trabajadoras mediante su liderazgo como organizador de derechos de inmigrantes y trabajadores con el Sindicato Latino de Chicago y su participación en nuestras organizaciones políticas locales independientes de base. UN35 apoyó a Miguel porque trabajará para proteger a nuestros vecinos inmigrantes contra la deportación, reformar nuestro anticuado código de impuestos para gravar a los ricos, abordar la amenaza del cambio climático y proteger la vivienda asequible levantando la prohibición del control de alquileres.
COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER 8TH DISTRICT
COMISIONADA DEL CONDADO DE COOK DISTRITO 8
Jessica Vasquez (incombent)
www.vasquezforcookcounty.org
Jessica Vásquez es actualmente nuestra Comisionada del 8.º Distrito del Condado de Cook. Como comisionada, Jessica supervisa numerosos programas importantes, como el sistema de salud y hospitales del Condado de Cook, el sistema de Reservas Forestales, y la cárcel y los tribunales del condado. Jessica es una funcionaria pública con amplia experiencia y organizadora comunitaria. UN35 la apoya por haber ayudado a miles de propietarios con la reducción de impuestos prediales, haber construido viviendas asequibles, haber contribuido a la aprobación de leyes para impedir que los agentes de ICE detengan a personas en los juzgados del condado y por ser copresidenta de nuestra Red de Respuesta Rápida del Noroeste.
Jessica Vasquez is currently our 8th District Cook County Commissioner. As commissioner, Jessica helps oversee many important programs including the Cook County Health and hospital system, the Forest Preserve system, and the county jail and courts. Jessica is an experienced public servant and community organizer. UN35 endorsed Jessica because she has helped thousands of homeowners with property tax relief, built affordable housing, helped pass legislation to stop ICE agents from detaining people at county courthouses, and serves as the co-chair for our Northwest Side Rapid Response Network.
Illinois State Comptroller / Contralor del Estado de Illinois
Karina Villa (Challenger)
www.karinavilla.com
Karina Villa is running for Illinois State Comptroller. She currently serves as a State Senator, where she championed increased mental healthcare access and has been on the frontlines resisting ICE. Before she was elected state senator, Karina was a school social worker in the West Park and Villa Park school systems. UN35 endorsed Karina because she will prioritize working-class families, public schools, nonprofits, unions, and small businesses. She will advocate for fairer taxation in our state budget and promote financial transparency and accountability.
Karina Villa se postula para la Contralora del Estado de Illinois. Actualmente es senadora estatal, donde defendió elacceso a la atención de salud mental y ha estado en primera línea en la lucha contra ICE en West Chicago. Antes de ser elegida senadora estatal, Karina fue trabajadora social escolar en los sistemas escolares de West Park y Villa Park. UN35 apoya a Karina porque priorizará a las familias trabajadoras, las escuelas públicas, las organizaciones sin fines de lucro, los sindicatos y las pequeñas empresas. Abogará por una fiscalidad más justa en nuestro presupuesto estatal y promoverá la transparencia financiera y la rendición de cuentas.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 4 / REPRESENTANTE, DISTRITO 4
Lilian Jiménez (incumbent)
www.lilianforstaterep.com
Lilian Jiménez fights everyday for healthcare access, community safety, green jobs, and climate justice. In Springfield, she secured $5 million in state funds for the Here to Stay Community Land Trust in order to combat gentrification and create home ownership opportunities for long-time community members. In her first term in office, she has maintained a relationship with our organization in the effort to advance our shared progressive agenda.
Lilian Jiménez lucha todos los días por el acceso a la atención médica, la seguridad comunitaria, los empleos verdes y la justicia climática. En Springfield, obtuvo $5 millones en fondos estatales para Here to Stay Community Land Trust con el fin de combatir la gentrificación y crear oportunidades de propiedad de viviendas para los miembros de la comunidad desde hace mucho tiempo. En su primer mandato, ha mantenido una relación con nuestra organización en el esfuerzo por avanzar en nuestra agenda progresista compartida.
U.S. CONGRESS, DISTRICT 3 / CONGRESISTA, DISTRITO 3
Delia Ramirez (incumbent)
www.deliaforcongress.com
Since being elected to the US House of Representatives in 2022, Delia Ramirez has delivered on major campaign promises made to our organization by leading on the Dream Act, Medicare for All, Raise the Wage, and the PRO Act. She uses her voice as a national-level progressive to fight for equitable federal funding for our district, including for recent migrant arrivals and asylum seekers. Delia is a staunch ally to our other progressive elected officials on the Northwest side, giving her time and material support to help their election campaigns and support them while in office.
Desde que fue elegida para la Cámara de Representantes de EE. UU. en 2022, Delia Ramírez ha cumplido importantes promesas de campaña hechas a nuestra organización al liderar la Dream Act, Medicare para todos, Raise the Wage y la PRO Act. Ella utiliza su voz como progresista a nivel nacional para luchar por una financiación federal equitativa para nuestro distrito, incluso para los inmigrantes recién llegados y los solicitantes de asilo. Delia es una aliada incondicional de nuestros otros funcionarios electos progresistas en el lado noroeste, brindando su tiempo y apoyo material para ayudar en sus campañas electorales y apoyarlos mientras estén en el cargo.
STATE SENATE, DISTRICT 20 / SENADORA ESTATAL, DISTRITO 20
Graciela Guzmán (incumbent)
www.gracielafor20.org
Proven progressive Graciela Guzmán is an organizer for the Chicago Teachers Union and longtime community leader. After her parents lost their home and her undocumented grandfather passed away without healthcare, Graciela dedicated her life to fighting for workers’ rights, immigrant justice, and access to healthcare.
Graciela Guzmán, una activista progresista de probada trayectoria, es organizadora del Sindicato de Maestros de Chicago y líder comunitaria de larga data. Después de que sus padres perdieran su casa y su abuelo, indocumentado, falleciera sin acceso a atención médica, Graciela dedicó su vida a luchar por los derechos de los trabajadores, la justicia para los inmigrantes y el acceso a la atención médica.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 39 / REPRESENTANTE, DISTRITO 39
Will Guzzardi (incumbent)
www.willguzzardi.com
Will Guzzardi has been a progressive voice in the state house for our community since 2015. He led the charge on raising the statewide minimum wage to $15, expanded access to affordable housing as Chair of the Housing Committee, and took on big pharma by lowering the cost of life saving drugs like insulin. More recently, he helped pass the Pretrial Fairness Act, ban the sale of assault weapons in Illinois, and strengthen reproductive rights in our state.
Will Guzzardi ha sido una voz progresista en la cámara estatal para nuestra comunidad desde 2015. Lideró la iniciativa para aumentar el salario mínimo estatal a $15, amplió el acceso a viviendas asequibles como presidente del Comité de Vivienda y se enfrentó a las grandes farmacéuticas al reducir el costo de medicamentos que salvan vidas como la insulina. Más recientemente, ayudó a aprobar la Ley de Equidad Previa al Juicio, prohibir la venta de armas de asalto en Illinois y fortalecer los derechos reproductivos en nuestro estado.