RELEASE: Citizen Action/Illinois Announces Series of Candidate Forums for Key 2026 Statewide Races

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Josh Schrader

josh@citizenaction-il.org

Citizen Action/Illinois Announces Series of Candidate Forums for Key 2026 Statewide Races

CHICAGO, IL – Citizen Action/Illinois, the state’s largest public interest policy and political coalition, today announced a series of six candidate forums for critical races across the state leading up to the 2026 Democratic primary elections. These forums, co-hosted by over a dozen leading advocacy organizations, will provide Illinois voters with the opportunity to hear directly from Democratic candidates on issues that matter most to working families, including healthcare access, economic justice, environmental protections, and more.

The series will kick off with a Senate Candidate Forum on October 6. Additional forums will follow across the Chicagoland area and suburban communities through November 18:

  • Senate Candidate Forum — Monday, October 6 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM | Chicago State University, 9501 S King Dr, Chicago, IL 60628

  • House District 2 Candidate Forum – Thursday, October 9 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM | Kennedy-King College, 6301 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60621

  • House District 9 Candidate Forum – Tuesday, October 21 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM | Oakton College – Skokie Campus, 7701 Lincoln Ave, Skokie, IL 60077, USA

  • House District 7 Candidate Forum – Monday, November 3 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM | Malcolm X College, 1900 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612

  • House District 8 Candidate Forum – Thursday, November 13 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM | Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Dr, Elgin, IL 60123

  • Illinois Comptroller Candidate Forum – Tuesday, November 18 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM | Rainbow PUSH Coalition, 930 E 50th St, Chicago IL

Each of these forums will be livestreamed. More information about the forums and RSVP pages are listed here.

“As the largest public interest coalition in Illinois, it’s our duty to ensure that voters are educated about the choices they face in the upcoming election,” said Anusha Thotakura, Executive Director of Citizen Action/Illinois. “These forums are an opportunity for Illinois communities to come together, hear from candidates directly, and understand where they stand on the most critical issues. We are proud to be co-hosting these forums with over a dozen leading advocacy organizations across the state, including Access Living, Chicago Votes, the Environmental Law and Policy Center, Equality Illinois, Housing Action Illinois, the Illinois Coalition on Immigration and Refugee Rights, Illinois Education Association, the Illinois Environmental Council, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Personal PAC, Rainbow PUSH, SEIU HCIIMK, and the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans.”

The forums will not involve an endorsement of any candidates. All Democratic candidates in each respective race have been invited to participate. The events are free and open to the public, with press welcome to attend.

For nearly five decades, Citizen Action/Illinois has championed healthcare access, economic justice, and consumer protections. These candidate forums reflect the organizations ongoing commitment to strengthening democracy and empowering Illinoisans with the information they need to make informed decisions at the ballot box.

Citizen Action/Illinois is the state’s largest public interest coalition, dedicated to advocating for healthcare access, economic justice, and consumer rights. Through grassroots organizing and coalition building, we work to ensure policies that protect Illinois families, seniors, and communities.

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For Media Inquiries:

Contact

Josh Schrader

Citizen Action/Illinois

(402) 860-0689

josh@citizenaction-il.org