Who's running in Illinois's 11th congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Bill Foster currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Science and technology policy, and federal research funding.
Financial regulation and Wall Street reform.
Reproductive freedom.
Reducing gun violence.
Reviving American manufacturing.
Action on climate change.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative since 2008, for the 14th District until 2011 and for the 11th District since 2013; re-elected in 2024 with 55.6%.
Particle physicist at Fermilab for 22 years; co-founder of a theatre-lighting manufacturing business.
Won the March 17, 2026 Democratic primary unopposed with 69,637 votes.
Did not co-sponsor the October 2023 Gaza ceasefire resolution and did not support Rep. Delia Ramirez's resolution; voted for two measures supporting Israel.
Travelled to Israel in 2025 on a trip paid for by an outside group, according to a Daily Herald review of congressional travel disclosures.
Arguments in favor
Chicago's labour federation and the main abortion-rights organisation endorsed his re-election.
— Chicago Federation of Labor and Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Arguments against
A town hall he held at Aurora University in July 2025 was repeatedly interrupted by constituents angry about Gaza; one, identifying as a Palestinian American constituent, told him "you have done nothing to represent us."
— Constituents at Foster's Aurora University town hall, reported by CNN and CBS Chicago
The Daily Herald's review of interest-group-funded congressional travel named him among Chicago-area lawmakers who went abroad at an outside group's expense, including a week in Israel with a group tied to pro-Israel advocacy; critics also note he declined to back ceasefire resolutions.
— Daily Herald, September 2026; Track AIPAC
What we couldn’t verify
His campaign's endorsements page had not been updated past the 2024 cycle when checked, so the 2024 endorsements from Senators Durbin and Duckworth and most of the Illinois Democratic delegation are not presented here as current.
No National Republican Congressional Committee material naming Foster for the 2026 cycle could be found.
A second published case for his re-election, beyond the labour and abortion-rights endorsements, could not be found.
Tax relief for middle-income households, which he calls his central issue.
Cutting regulations he argues push up taxes, utility bills and housing costs.
Policies to lower energy costs.
Policies to lower health care costs.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Village president of Elburn since 2025.
Retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9); describes himself as a businessman, mayor and Navy master chief.
Served in the U.S. Navy from 1978 to 2000.
Launched his congressional campaign in June 2025.
Won the March 17, 2026 Republican primary with about 43% against Mike Pierce, Charlie Kim and Tedora Brown.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Walter by name could be found. Searched: his name with 'criticism', with 'opponent', against Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee material, against Bill Foster's campaign, and against Daily Herald, Shaw Local and Patch coverage of the district. Because no case against him exists on the record, no case for him is presented either, rather than showing his own campaign's case unanswered.
The Chicago Tribune and Daily Herald editorial boards both endorsed him in the 2026 Republican primary; their reasoning was not located.
His fundraising was not established from sources read.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Illinois held its primary on March 17, 2026. Democratic incumbent Bill Foster was unopposed for renomination; Elburn village president Jeff Walter won a four-candidate Republican primary with about 43%. The district covers the western suburbs and exurbs of Chicago, including Aurora, Naperville and Belvidere. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia, Shaw Local and Daily Herald primary reporting. Criticism of Walter by name could not be found, so his entry carries no arguments in either column.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Illinois ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Illinois State Board of Elections.