# Illinois Republicans crash and burn in the burbs

> Illinois Republicans lose suburban dominance as Democrats sweep key counties.
- Title: Illinois Republicans crash and burn in the burbs | Shortify
- Summary: Illinois Republicans lose suburban dominance as Democrats sweep key counties. Illinois Republicans suffered major losses in suburban counties during the 2026…
- Keywords: illinois, mchenry county, dupage county, lake county, democratic primary, republican primary, gubernatorial election, illinois republicans, illinois democrats, jb pritzker, juliana stratton, darren bailey
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2026/11/14/illinois-republicans-democrats-chicago-suburbs-trump-rich-miller
- Published: 2026-11-14T12:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: illinois, mchenry county, dupage county, lake county, democratic primary, republican primary, gubernatorial election, illinois republicans, illinois democrats, jb pritzker, juliana stratton, darren bailey
## Illinois Republicans lose suburban dominance
Illinois Republicans suffered major losses in suburban counties during the 2026 election, with Democrats winning McHenry, DuPage, and Lake counties by large margins.
## McHenry County shifts to Democrats
Democratic primary votes for governor rose 60% in McHenry County compared to four years ago, while Republican primary votes dropped 48%.
## Pritzker wins McHenry County
JB Pritzker became the first Democratic gubernatorial candidate to win McHenry County since 1852, winning by 11 points.
## McHenry County results
Democratic candidates won McHenry County by 9 to 18 points, with Alexi Giannoulias winning by 3 points after losing four years ago.
## Lake County shifts to Democrats
Democratic candidates won Lake County with 66% or higher of the vote, after Republican primary turnout dropped 48%.
## DuPage County shifts to Democrats
Pritzker won DuPage County by 63-33, after Republican primary turnout dropped 33% compared to four years ago.
## Republican primary collapse
Republican primary gubernatorial turnout collapsed by 48% in McHenry, Lake, and DuPage counties compared to four years ago.
## Trump's nationalization backfires
Trump's nationalization of the off-year election backfired as Democrats united against Republicans and Trump.
## Republicans lose key incumbents
Several strong Republican incumbents lost this year, including Darren Bailey who was wiped out by 22 points.
## Illinois Republicans stuck as regional party
Illinois Republicans are stuck as mainly a regional party, unable to win consistently in the state.
## Illinois Democrats secure suburban dominance
Illinois Democrats could get away with losing the South as long as they firmed up the suburbs.
## Republican party struggles
Illinois Republicans suffered major losses in suburban counties during the 2026 election, with Democrats winning McHenry, DuPage, and Lake counties by large margins.
## Key takeaway

Illinois Republicans suffered major losses in suburban counties during the 2026 election, with Democrats winning McHenry, DuPage, and Lake counties by large margins.