You’ve probably seen the yard signs or caught a snippet of a debate on local news, but honestly, the Illinois 11th congressional district is a bit of a moving target. If you live in Naperville, Aurora, or even up in McHenry, you might technically be in the same district as someone living in a cornfield forty miles away. That's the weird reality of Illinois political geography. It’s a massive, sprawling piece of the Chicago suburbs and the "collar" counties that somehow manages to feel like three different states at once.
Basically, if you’re trying to figure out who represents you or why your ballot looks the way it does, you have to look at how this district was literally redrawn to be a "Democratic stronghold" that stretches from the high-tech hallways of Argonne National Laboratory all the way to the quiet streets of Belvidere.
Who Actually Runs the Show?
Right now, the guy in the seat is Bill Foster. He’s been there since 2013, but his story is kinda unique for a politician. He’s a high-energy physicist—one of the few scientists in Congress—who spent over two decades at Fermilab. You might remember him from the old 14th district days before he lost to Randy Hultgren and then made a comeback in the 11th.
Foster just won re-election in November 2024, beating Republican Jerry Evans with about 55.6% of the vote. It wasn't the massive blowout some predicted, but it wasn't a nail-biter either. He’s currently serving his term through 2026, where he holds a pretty influential spot as a Ranking Member on the House Financial Services Subcommittee.
Politics here is weird. The Illinois 11th congressional district used to be much more compact, centered around Joliet. But after the 2020 census, things got messy. The district shifted north and west. Now it’s a "D+6" or "D+9" district depending on who you ask, meaning it leans Democratic but isn't a total lock if the right Republican candidate comes along.
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A Map That Looks Like a Tetris Piece
If you look at the map of the Illinois 11th congressional district, it looks like someone dropped a puzzle on the floor. It covers parts of eight different counties:
- DuPage
- Kane
- McHenry
- Will
- Boone
- Cook
- DeKalb
- Lake
It’s almost impressive how much ground it covers. You have the urban density of Aurora—Illinois’ second-largest city—and the affluent suburban vibes of Naperville. Then you travel north and suddenly you’re in Woodstock or Marengo, where the concerns are much more about rural infrastructure and agriculture. This "new" 11th district only kept about 45% of its original population after the last redistricting. That’s a huge shift.
What People Get Wrong About the Demographics
A lot of people think the 11th is just "white suburban." That’s just wrong. It’s actually pretty diverse. Roughly 19% of the population is Hispanic and about 8.4% is Asian. The median household income is high—over $108,000—but that average hides the fact that there are pockets of real economic struggle in some of the older industrial areas of the Fox Valley.
Most people here (about 68%) drive to work alone. It’s a commuter culture. However, about 18% of the district now works from home, which is a massive jump from ten years ago. This shift is changing what people care about. Instead of just asking for better highway exits, they’re asking for better broadband in the "rural-suburban" fringes like Genoa or Kingston.
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The Economy: From Particle Smashers to Retail
What really matters for the Illinois 11th congressional district is the money. This district is home to Argonne National Laboratory. That’s a big deal. It brings in high-paying research jobs and keeps the area anchored in the "technology" sector.
But if you look at the raw numbers, the biggest employers aren't all scientists.
- Manufacturing: Despite the "Rust Belt" narrative, manufacturing is still the largest employer here, with over 52,000 people.
- Healthcare: Systems like Edward-Elmhurst and Northwestern Medicine are massive engines for the local economy.
- Retail: Because of the heavy concentration of shopping in Naperville and Aurora, retail is the third-largest sector.
It’s a wealthy district, generally speaking. Property values are about 1.07 times the national average, sitting around $323,000 as of recent data. But because the district is so spread out, the cost of living varies wildly. You’ll pay a lot more for a 3-bedroom in Downers Grove than you will in Belvidere.
What’s Next for the 11th?
We’re already looking at the 2026 election cycle. The primary is set for March 17, 2026. Bill Foster is likely to run again, and because the district is rated as "Solid Democratic" or "Safe Democratic" by most experts (like Sabato’s Crystal Ball and Cook Political Report), the real action might happen in the primary rather than the general election.
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In 2024, Foster faced a primary challenge from the left by Qasim Rashid. While Foster won comfortably (76% to 23%), it showed there’s a segment of the district looking for more progressive policies on things like healthcare and foreign policy.
Actionable Insights for Residents
If you live in the Illinois 11th congressional district, here is how you can actually engage with what's happening:
- Check Your Boundaries: Since the map changed so much recently, use the Find Your Representative tool with your full nine-digit zip code. Don't assume you're still in the 14th or the 6th.
- Track the Funding: If you care about where your Rep's money comes from, OpenSecrets or the FEC website shows exactly who is donating to the Foster campaign versus his challengers.
- Voice Your Opinion: Bill Foster’s office is known for being fairly responsive on "constituent services"—that’s things like help with Social Security, VA benefits, or passports. Use the local offices in Aurora or Joliet instead of calling D.C. directly.
- Mark the Calendar: The next big milestone is the February 17, 2026, deadline for mail-in ballot postmarks for the primary. If you’re not registered, do it now through the Illinois State Board of Elections.
The 11th isn't just a spot on a map; it's a weird, diverse, high-income, partly rural slice of Northern Illinois that basically decides the political "temperature" of the state outside of Chicago. Keep an eye on the 2026 primary—it'll tell you more about the future of the district than any general election poll ever could.