You’ve probably seen the headlines. Some said it was a status quo year, while others claimed the city’s political foundations were shaking. Honestly, the chicago election results 2024 tell a much more complicated story than a simple red-or-blue map can show. It was a year of "firsts," narrow escapes, and a very clear message from voters about how they want their money spent.
Basically, Chicagoans didn't just go to the polls to pick a president; they went to overhaul the school system and decide who gets to prosecute the city’s most violent crimes. While Kamala Harris predictably took the city with about 78% of the vote, the real drama was happening much further down the ballot.
The School Board Shake-up
For the first time in over a century, Chicagoans actually got to vote for school board members. It was a massive deal. Before this, the mayor just picked whoever they wanted. Now, we have a hybrid board, and the results were a bit of a reality check for the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU).
While the CTU-backed candidates like Ebony DeBerry (District 2) and Jennifer Custer (District 1) pulled off wins, they didn't sweep the floor like some expected. In fact, independent and charter-friendly candidates made some serious noise. Look at District 4, where Ellen Rosenfeld won with over 41% of the vote, or District 10, where Che "Rhymefest" Smith—yes, the Grammy-winning songwriter—grabbed a seat without the CTU's official blessing.
It turns out voters are kinda picky. They want accountability, not just endorsements. The new board is going to be a mix of activists, educators, and skeptics, which means the meetings at 42 West Madison are about to get a lot more interesting.
The State’s Attorney Nail-biter
If you want to talk about a cliffhanger, look at the race for Cook County State’s Attorney. Eileen O’Neill Burke and Clayton Harris III turned the primary into a weeks-long math problem. Burke eventually won the Democratic nod by a razor-thin margin—about 1,566 votes out of over half a million cast.
By the time the general election rolled around in November, Burke had a smoother ride, but the message was already sent. She ran on a "tougher" platform than her predecessor, Kim Foxx, focusing on retail theft and gun crimes. Her victory suggests that even in a deep-blue city, there’s a growing appetite for a more traditional approach to public safety.
Money and Measures: The Referendums
Voters were asked some pretty pointed questions this year. One of the biggest "no" votes came during the primary with the "Bring Chicago Home" referendum. It was Mayor Brandon Johnson's signature plan to raise the real estate transfer tax on properties over $1 million to fund homelessness services.
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It failed.
About 54% of voters said no. It wasn't just wealthy developers voting against it either; many North Side precincts that usually lean progressive weren't sold on the lack of a specific spending plan.
However, in November, voters were much more generous with statewide advisory questions:
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- Over 70% supported a "millionaire tax" to fund property tax relief.
- A massive 92% voted in favor of the Election Worker Protection Referendum.
- Assisted reproductive health (IVF) coverage also saw huge support, passing with roughly 72% of the vote.
The Congressional Hold
While local races were volatile, the U.S. House seats remained a Democratic stronghold. Veterans like Danny Davis and Jan Schakowsky cruised to victory. Jonathan Jackson kept his seat in the 1st District with over 90% of the city vote, and Delia Ramirez stayed firm in the 3rd.
The only real "scare"—if you can call it that—was in the 6th District, where Sean Casten faced a slightly closer race than usual against Niki Conforti, though he still won comfortably by about 8 points.
What This Means for 2025 and Beyond
So, what’s the actionable takeaway from all these numbers?
First, keep a close eye on the Chicago Board of Education. With members like Therese Boyle and Jessica Biggs coming in, the power dynamic is shifting. If you're a parent or a taxpayer, you should be looking at the upcoming budget hearings. The school district is facing a massive deficit, and this new board is the one that has to figure out how to pay for it without a blank check from the mayor.
Second, the Eileen O'Neill Burke era starts now. Expect to see a shift in how the State’s Attorney’s office handles "smash-and-grab" robberies and CTA crimes. If you live or work downtown, the prosecution rates for these specific offenses will be the benchmark for whether her "effectiveness" platform actually works.
Finally, the rejection of the property tax hike and the transfer tax measure shows that Chicagoans have a limit. The city is currently wrestling with a $300 million property tax increase proposal from the mayor's office. Given how the 2024 results played out, the City Council is under intense pressure from their constituents to find cuts instead of new taxes.
Stay engaged with your local ward office. The 2024 results proved that in Chicago, 1,500 votes can change the entire direction of the city’s legal system, and a few percentage points can stop a mayor's top priority in its tracks.