The Race for President: How Illinois Voted

What will 2012 ballots in northern Illinois show about President Obama's support at home?

Updated at 3 a.m., Chicago time By Dennis Robaugh After NBC and CNN projected President Obama's re-election, the president sent a message shortly thereafter on Twitter at 10:14 saying simply, "This happened because of you. Thank you." Illinois, of course, was never in play. Our state's 20 electoral votes were stuck in the president's back pocket as far back as his inauguration in 2008. But in 2008's historic election, President Obama carried every collar county in northern Illinois. In 2012, the president narrowly lost out to Mitt Romney in Kane County, Kendall County and McHenry County, with 99 percent of precincts reporting. Voter turnout again was very strong. Local polling places even reported lines at 6 a.m. with voters waiting to get…

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Who Won Illinois' Congressional Races?

Find coverage of the various congressional matchups throughout the Patch network.

While many of northern Illinois' congressional races left little in the way of doubt, a few provided down-to-the-wire drama and competitiveness. Judy Biggert and Bill Foster were in a dead heat as Election Day approached, with Foster emerging victorious, according to unofficial totals. And Joe Walsh and Tammy Duckworth engaged in a bitter mudfest, with Walsh being tossed out by voters. Jesse Jackson Jr. didn't campaign at all, citing health issues, yet won-reelection, and Adam Kinzinger, Dan Lipinski, Danny Davis and Peter Roskam didn't feel they had to. Coverage of the various congressional races can be viewed throughout the Patch network.

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Joel Craig

12:30 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

One has to remember that the districts were all redrawn to (heavily) favor the Dems, so really no surprise on the congressional races. One has to shake their head, however when one who was booted out by his peers was voted back in, and another who has been absent for months was also re-elected. Put a corpse on the ballot with a -D next to his name and some will automatically vote for the corpse.   more ›

Obama Supporters at McCormick: 'We Know He's Going to Win'

Obama supporters from around the suburbs and the city of Chicago waited to see the president during an election night rally in McCormick Place.

Waiting for the president to arrive at McCormick Place on election night, supporter Ignacio Ayala of Plainfield said he hoped the night would bring some of the same excitement as the rally in Grant Park in 2008. "I hope it's the same," said Ayala. "That was big." More than 10,000 people are expected to rally around President Barack Obama as he and his campaign members await election results tonight. Like Ayala, other Obama supporters said they, too, were hopeful that the election results would bring cause for celebration. Elvin and Nicole Knox, from Homewood, said they had been checking predictions on CNN and Politico all day. Nicole said she had voted for Bush in 2004, and her husband said he had voted for Bush or had not voted at all. …

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Jewelbug

11:45 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Terry, I agree with you on so many levels.. A president who had no budget for four years? Obviously ~ look at how he spends money! Then he borrows, so he can spend more. We know exactly where he wants this country to land, smack into the lap of socialism, which, btw, is a step above communism. Those who can't see thru him by now ought to educate themselves. He is one demon! and the sheep who …   more ›

Wall St. Journal and AP Call Illinois for Obama

About 15 minutes after the polls closed, news media sources put Illinois in the Obama column, giving the president 20 electoral votes.

President Barack Obama won Illinois’ 20 electoral votes on Tuesday, defeating Republican Mitt Romney. Illinois, of course, was never in play. The only visit the president made to his home state late in the campaign came Oct. 25, when he returned to the South Side to cast an early ballot at the Martin Luther King Community Center. Obama is the first president to ever vote early in a presidential election.  The Wall St. Journal and the Associated Press called the state about 15 minutes after the polls closed. The president's handling of the economy is a major factor in many voters' decision this year. "This election bears serious significance for our future," said Sheila Brady of Orland Park, outside her Fernway Elementary School polling …

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2012 Election Results: How Darien, Downers Grove and Woodridge Voted

The results are in. Find out who won the races for county, state and congressional seats and other elections in Darien, Downers Grove and Woodridge.

When the votes are tallied tonight, check back to Patch for all of the results impacting your neighborhood.  Throughout the night, we'll be posting updates on the vote counts and talking about the presidential election and more in our live blog. Tonight: Join Patch's Live Blog As Election Results Roll In Read our election guide for information about local races and candidates.  Want to keep talking about the election? Like us on Facebook and get the latest local news sent free to your email:

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Your Vote: A Guide to the Nov. 6 Election

Patch will keep you up to date Tuesday with all the major state and local races—from the hotly contested congressional districts to the DuPage County Board.

Election Day is finally here.  Patch will keep you up to date Tuesday with all the major state and local races—from the hotly contested congressional districts to the DuPage County Board. Everything you need to know to make a decision about how to cast your vote can be found on Patch. The links that follow will lead you to candidate profiles and positions, news coverage and candidate blogs. Find your polling place:  LOCAL RACES Because of redistricting required after the 2010 census, all 18 seats on the DuPage County Board are up for grabs this election. There are 29 candidates running in six districts, 18 of which are Republicans and 11 Democrats. Because of redistricting, winners will not immediately know the length of their terms. A …

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Amanda Luevano

3:22 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Leigh, An anti-Foster lean? What? I think you may be reading too much into things. Biggert is trying to fend off Foster. She's been a congresswoman for quite some time, so yes she is trying to hold on to her seat. Feel free to elaborate on your concerns, but I believe all we did was list the candidates. Amanda Luevano Editor, Downers Grove Patch   more ›

Downers Grove Patch Election Central 2012

We want to make sure you've got all the information you need before hitting the voting booth Nov. 6. See below for information on the upcoming election and a breakdown of every race, with links to individual candidate profiles.