Sheldon Schafer

Elections were held on November 2, 2010, to determine Illinois's 19 members of the United States House of Representatives. Representatives were elected for two-year terms to serve in the 112th United States Congress from January 3, 2011, until January 3, 2013. Primary elections were held on February 2, 2010.

Of the 19 elections, the 10th, 11th, 14th and 17th districts were rated as competitive by ''CQ Politics'' and ''The Rothenberg Political Report''; while the 8th, 10th, 11th, 14th and 17th districts were rated as competitive by ''The Cook Political Report''. Of Illinois's nineteen U.S. Representatives, fourteen were re-elected. Republican Mark Kirk of the 10th district did not seek re-election in order to run for the U.S. Senate, while Democrats Melissa Bean of the 8th district, Debbie Halvorson of the 11th district, Bill Foster of the 14th district and Phil Hare of the 17th district were defeated in the general election. Joe Walsh, Adam Kinzinger, Randy Hultgren, and Bobby Schilling were all elected to fill those Democratic-held seats. Bob Dold won Kirk's old seat.

As a result, Illinois became one of four states in which the party that won the state's popular vote did not win a majority of seats in 2010, the other states being Iowa, New Jersey, and North Carolina. As of 2025, this is the last time Republicans won a majority of congressional districts from Illinois.

Overview

Results of the 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois by district:

District 1

In 2010 the 1st district included parts of Blue Island, Chicago, Oak Forest, Orland Park and Tinley Park. The district's population was 63 percent black, 26 percent white and 8 percent Hispanic (see Race and ethnicity in the United States census); 83 percent were high school graduates and 21 percent had received a bachelor's degree or higher. Its median income was $42,727. In the 2008 presidential election the district gave 87 percent of its vote to Democratic nominee Barack Obama and 13 percent to Republican nominee John McCain.

Democrat Bobby Rush, who took office in 1993, was the incumbent. Rush was re-elected with 86 percent of the vote in 2008. In 2010 his opponent in the general election was Republican nominee Ray Wardingley, a retired entertainer. Green Party nominee Jeff Adams also ran. Harold Bailey, a manager for the Chicago Park District; Joanne Guillemette, an attorney; and Fred Smith, a program director at Maryville Academy, also sought the Democratic nomination. Adams was unopposed for the Green nomination.

Rush raised $532,447 and spent $555,188. Rush was re-elected with 80 percent of the vote to Wardingley's 16 percent. Rush was again re-elected in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018.

Democratic primary results

General election results

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District 2

The 2nd district included Calumet City, Chicago Heights and part of Chicago. The district's population was 68 percent black, 18 percent white and 13 percent Hispanic (see Race and ethnicity in the United States census); 83 percent were high school graduates and 21 percent had received a bachelor's degree or higher. Its median income was $45,930. In the 2008 presidential election the district gave 90 percent of its vote to Democratic nominee Barack Obama and 10 percent to Republican nominee John McCain.

Democrat Jesse Jackson, Jr., who took office in 1995, was the incumbent. Jackson was re-elected with 89 percent of the vote in 2008. In 2010 Jackson's opponent in the general election was Republican nominee Isaac Hayes, an associate minister at the Apostolic Church of God. Green Party nominee Anthony Williams also ran. Jackson and Hayes were unopposed in their respective primaries. Michael Mayden also sought the Green nomination.

Jackson raised $795,723 and spent $1,032,506. Hayes raised $74,664 and spent $62,282. Prior to the election ''FiveThirtyEights forecast gave Jackson a 100 percent chance of winning, and projected that he would receive 77 percent of the vote to Hayes's 20 percent.

On election day Jackson was re-elected with 81 percent of the vote to Hayes's 14 percent, while Williams received 6 percent. Jackson was again re-elected in November 2012, but resigned from Congress the same month following ethics investigations and a diagnosis of mental illness. He was succeeded by fellow Democrat Robin Kelly.

Green primary results

General election results

See also

* Electoral history of Jesse Jackson, Jr.

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District 3

The 3rd district included Oak Lawn and parts of Berwyn and Chicago. The district's population was 58 percent white, 31 percent Hispanic and 6 percent black (see Race and ethnicity in the United States census); 81 percent were high school graduates and 23 percent had received a bachelor's degree or higher. Its median income was $56,296. In the 2008 presidential election the district gave 64 percent of its vote to Democratic nominee Barack Obama and 35 percent to Republican nominee John McCain.

Democrat Dan Lipinski, who took office in 2005, was the incumbent. Lipinski was re-elected with 73 percent of the vote in 2008. In 2010 Lipinski's opponent in the general election was Republican nominee Michael A. Bendas, a retired Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. Green Party nominee Laurel Lambert Schmidt, a peace activist, also ran. Jorge Mujica, a community activist and former journalist, also sought the Democratic nomination. Bendas and Lambert Schmidt were unopposed in their respective primaries.

Lipinski raised $752,199 and spent $455,329. Bendas raised $28,807 and spent $39,962. Mujica raised $12,668 and spent the same amount.

Prior to the election ''FiveThirtyEights forecast gave Lipinski a 100 percent chance of winning, and projected that he would receive 67 percent of the vote to Bendas's 30 percent. On election day Lipinski was re-elected with 70 percent of the vote to Bendas's 24 percent. Lipinski was again re-elected in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018.

Democratic primary results

General election results

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District 4

The 4th district included parts of Chicago, Cicero and Melrose Park. The district's population was 72 percent Hispanic, 19 percent white and 5 percent black (see Race and ethnicity in the United States census); 62 percent were high school graduates and 20 percent had received a bachelor's degree or higher. Its median income was $42,018. In the 2008 presidential election the district gave 85 percent of its vote to Democratic nominee Barack Obama and 13 percent to Republican nominee John McCain.

Democrat Luis Gutiérrez, who took office in 1993, was the incumbent. Gutiérrez was re-elected with 81 percent of the vote in 2008. In 2010 Gutiérrez's opponent in the general election was Republican nominee Israel Vasquez, the chief executive officer of Woodman Holdings Asset Management (WHAM). Green Party nominee Robert J. Burns, a software architect, also ran. Gutiérrez and Burns were unopposed in their respective primaries.

Gutiérrez raised $512,939 and spent $378,842. Gutiérrez was re-elected with 77 percent of the vote to Vasquez's 14 percent, while Burns received 8 percent. Gutiérrez was again re-elected in 2012, 2014 and 2016, and retired rather than re-election in 2018. He was succeeded by fellow Democrat Jesús "Chuy" García.

General election results

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District 5

The 5th district included parts of Chicago and Elmwood Park. The district's population was 60 percent white, 28 percent Hispanic and 7 percent Asian (see Race and ethnicity in the United States census); 83 percent were high school graduates and 37 percent had received a bachelor's degree or higher. Its median income was $60,427. In the 2008 presidential election the district gave 73 percent of its vote to Democratic nominee Barack Obama and 26 percent to Republican nominee John McCain.

Democrat Mike Quigley, who took office in 2009, was the incumbent. Quigley was elected in a special election in April 2009 with 70 percent of the vote. In 2010 Quigley's opponent in the general election was Republican nominee David Ratowitz, an attorney and activist. Green Party nominee Matthew Reichel also ran. Quigley was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Ashvin Lad, a biomedical engineer; and Rosanna Pulido, an activist and lobbyist, also sought the Republican nomination. Terrence Gilhooly and Andrew Williams, who ran with the intention of highlighting the issue of campaign finance, also sought the Green nomination.

Quigley raised $1,301,374 and spent $1,087,121. Ratowitz raised $64,276 and spent the same amount. Prior to the election ''FiveThirtyEights forecast gave Quigley a 100 percent chance of winning and projected that he would receive 69 percent of the vote to Ratowitz's 29 percent. On election day Quigley was re-elected with 71 percent of the vote to Ratowitz's 25 percent. Quigley was again re-elected in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018.

Republican primary results

Green primary results

General election results

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District 6

The 6th district included Addison, Carol Stream, Lombard and parts of Elmhurst, Streamwood and Wheaton. The district's population was 68 percent white, 17 percent Hispanic and 10 percent Asian (see Race and ethnicity in the United States census); 89 percent were high school graduates and 36 percent had received a bachelor's degree or higher. Its median income was $71,058. In the 2008 presidential election the district gave 56 percent of its vote to Democratic Party nominee Barack Obama and 43 percent to Republican Party nominee John McCain.

Republican Peter Roskam, who took office in 2007, was the incumbent. Roskam was re-elected in 2008 with 58 percent of the vote. In 2010 Roskam's opponent in the general election was Democratic nominee Ben Lowe, a local organizer and environmentalist. Roskam and Lowe were unopposed in their respective primaries.

Roskam raised $2,381,858 and spent $1,251,223. Lowe raised $66,632 and spent $63,300. Prior to the election ''FiveThirtyEights forecast gave Roskam a 100 percent chance of winning and projected that he would receive 63 percent of the vote to Lowe's 35 percent. On election day Roskam was re-elected with 64 percent of the vote to Lowe's 36 percent. Roskam was again re-elected in 2012, 2014, and 2016, and unsuccessfully sought re-election in 2018. He was succeeded by Democrat Sean Casten.

General election results

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District 7

The 7th district included Oak Park and parts of Chicago and Maywood. The district's population was 54 percent black, 31 percent white, 8 percent Hispanic and 5 percent Asian (see Race and ethnicity in the United States census); 83 percent were high school graduates and 38 percent had received a bachelor's degree or higher. Its median income was $51,179. In the 2008 presidential election the district gave 88 percent of its vote to Democratic nominee Barack Obama and 12 percent to Republican nominee John McCain.

Democrat Danny K. Davis, who took office in 1997, was the incumbent. Davis was re-elected in 2008 with 85 percent of the vote. Davis said in July 2009 that he would run for the presidency of the Cook County Board of Commissioners; however, later that month Davis said he was prepared to seek re-election to Congress instead; and in November 2009 Davis announced he would seek re-election.

In 2010 Davis's opponent in the general election was Republican nominee Mark Weiman, a dentist. Clarence Clemons, who has worked with Mayor of Chicago Eugene Sawyer and state representative Shirley Jones, ran as an independent candidate. James Ascot, a businessman and real estate agent; Sharon Denise Dixon, a member of the Chicago City Council; and Darlena Williams-Burnett, the chief deputy for the Cook County Recorder of Deeds, also sought the Democratic nomination. State representative Annazette Collins; Chicago City Council member Robert Fioretti; pastor Marshall Hatch; and Rickey Hendon, a member of the Illinois Senate, filed to run in the Democratic primary, but abandoned their campaigns following Davis's announcement that he would seek re-election.

Davis raised $593,861 and spent $864,982. Ascot raised $57,653 and spent the same amount. Dixon raised $35,533 and spent $22,979. Williams-Burnett raised $96,437 and spent $95,712. Hatch raised $20,218 and spent $12,683.

Prior to the election ''FiveThirtyEights forecast gave Davis a 100 percent chance of winning, and projected that he would receive 78 percent of the vote to Weiman's 19 percent. On election day Davis was re-elected with 82 percent of the vote to Weiman's 16 percent. Davis was again re-elected in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018.

Democratic primary results

General election results

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District 8

The 8th district included parts of Hoffman Estates, Palatine and Schaumburg. The district's population was 71 percent white, 16 percent Hispanic and 8 percent Asian (see Race and ethnicity in the United States census); 90 percent were high school graduates and 36 percent had received a bachelor's degree or higher. Its median income was $75,522. In the 2008 presidential election the district gave 56 percent of its vote to Democratic nominee Barack Obama and 43 percent to Republican nominee John McCain. In 2010 the district had a Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+1.

Democrat Melissa Bean, who took office in 2005, was the incumbent. Bean was re-elected in 2008 with 61 percent of the vote. In 2010 Bean's opponent in the general election was Republican nominee Joe Walsh, a venture capitalist. Green Party nominee Bill Scheurer, a businessman, also ran.

Jonathan Farnick, a computer consultant who ran as a write-in candidate, also sought the Democratic nomination. Dirk Beveridge, a business owner; John Dawson, a former member of the Crystal Lake High School District 155 school board; Chris Geissler, a manager with a consulting firm; Greg Jacobs, a retired deputy in the Cook County Sheriff's Office; and Maria Rodriguez, the mayor of Long Grove, also sought the Republican nomination. Scheurer was unopposed in the Green primary.

In March 2010 Walsh acknowledged having owned a condominium which went into foreclosure in 2008 and from which he was evicted in 2009. Walsh said the "experience helped imgain a better appreciation for the very real economic anxieties felt by 8th District families". Walsh came under further scrutiny in May 2010 after an email was sent to supporters by two former campaign aides questioning his veracity with regard to his personal income and campaign finances. Pat Brady, the chair of the Illinois Republican Party, said "questions have been raised and alshneeds to provide satisfactory answers to those questions." Walsh was also sued by his former campaign manager for allegedly unpaid compensation, and was penalized by the U.S. House for failing to file disclosure reports. Later in May, Brady and other party leaders met with Walsh to determine his viability as a nominee. Following the meeting Brady said Walsh "is our nominee and we support him", while Walsh's campaign manager said "everything is moving forward".

Bean raised $2,292,879 and spent $2,451,348. Walsh raised $624,694 and spent $602,803. Beveridge raised $232,669 and spent $231,639. Geissler raised $36,572 and spent $32,788. Rodriguez raised $132,347 and spent the same amount.

In a poll of 827 likely voters, conducted by We Ask America (WAA) on February 18, 2010, Bean and Walsh had the support of 38 percent of respondents apiece, while 4 percent supported Scheurer and 20 percent were unsure. A poll of 1,381 registered voters, conducted by WAA on September 28, 2010, found Bean and Walsh tied again, with the support of 41 percent of respondents each. In WAA a poll of 773 likely voters conducted on October 31, 2010, 49 percent of respondents supported Walsh, while 46 percent favored Bean and Scheurer had the support of 6 percent.

''Sabato's Crystal Ball'' rated the race as "Likely Democratic", citing Bean's fundraising advantage and the district's 2008 presidential vote. In October 2010 ''The Cook Political Report