Democrats seize House majority as Illinois polls close at 7 p.m.

Voters across Cook County exercised their franchise in Tuesday's midterm elections, with polls remaining open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the state of Illinois. The general election cycle included contests for the state's U.S. House seats, an open U.S. Senate race, and the governorship, where incumbent JB Pritzker faced challengers from the Democratic, Green, Independent, and Republican parties. In the metropolitan areas of Chicago, Cicero, Evanston, Arlington Heights, Skokie, and Des Plaines, residents participated in a statewide vote that determined the partisan balance of the federal government for the next two years.

The outcome in Illinois was part of a broader national shift that resulted in a significant gain for the Democratic Party. According to data compiled as of 4:00 PM ET on November 6, 2026, Democrats have secured at least 250 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, while Republicans hold at least 157. This margin of 250-157 represents a decisive shift from the previous composition of the chamber, where Republicans had held a 220-215 majority following the 2024 elections. The net change of 41 seats in favor of Democrats indicates a substantial realignment of power in the lower chamber of Congress.

Prior to the election, Democrats needed to gain a net of three districts to win a majority in the House. The final results show that the party not only met this threshold but exceeded it by a wide margin. All 435 U.S. House districts were up for election, with 60 incumbents not seeking re-election, including 37 Republicans and 23 Democrats. The high number of open seats and retirements created opportunities for new candidates to enter the race, contributing to the volatility observed in the final tallies.

In the U.S. Senate, Democrats have also achieved a commanding majority, holding at least 54 seats to the Republican 44. This 54-44 margin reflects the addition of at least seven seats that were previously held by Republicans. Before the 2026 cycle, Republicans held a 53-47 majority in the Senate, with two independents caucusing with the Democrats. The recent results have reversed this dynamic, placing the Democrats in firm control of the upper chamber as well.

The national House race saw Democrats pick up at least 43 seats that were previously controlled by Republicans or independents. This net gain of 41 to 43 seats, depending on the final count of the 28 uncalled races, places the 2026 election among the most significant shifts in congressional control in recent history. While the Senate loss for Republicans qualifies as a wave election by historical standards, the House loss of 42 seats is slightly short of the 48-seat threshold typically defined as a wave, though uncalled races could still alter this total.

Illinois voters also had the opportunity to select their next U.S. Senator in an open seat race with no incumbent running. The ballot included candidates from the Democratic and Republican parties, along with other minor parties. In the governor's race, incumbent JB Pritzker competed against candidates from the Green and Independent parties in addition to the Republican nominee. The state's legislative chambers and local offices were also up for election, with results contributing to the broader trend of Democratic gains in state governments nationwide.

Nationally, Democrats have won control of both chambers of Congress and have secured the governor's office in at least 28 states. The party has also flipped control of state legislative chambers in several battleground states, including Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Wisconsin. These victories have given Democrats full control of state governments in at least six states where they previously shared power with Republicans, marking a historic expansion of Democratic influence across the country.

The shift in the U.S. House has immediate implications for legislative priorities, as the new majority will determine the agenda for the coming two-year term. The previous Republican majority had controlled the chamber since 2024, but the current Democratic lead ensures that the party will set the terms of debate and committee assignments. This change in leadership will affect key areas such as taxation, trade, and oversight of the executive branch, with the new majority poised to reverse several policies enacted by the previous administration.

As of the latest reports, 37 U.S. House races remain uncalled, including eight previously held by Democrats and the rest by Republicans. The final tally may adjust the 250-157 margin slightly, but the overall outcome appears to be a decisive victory for the Democratic Party. The Senate also has two uncalled races, both previously held by Republicans, which could further solidify the Democratic majority in the upper chamber.

The election results in Cook County and across Illinois align with the national trend of Democratic gains, reflecting a electorate that was largely dissatisfied with the previous administration. Voters expressed concerns over high prices, the war in Iran, and government corruption, issues that drove turnout in both urban and suburban areas of the county. The final results confirm that the Democratic Party has successfully capitalized on these concerns to reclaim control of the federal government.

With the terms beginning on January 3, 2027, the new congressional majority will have the opportunity to implement its legislative agenda. The 250-157 House majority and the 54-44 Senate majority provide Democrats with the numerical strength to advance key bills, subject to the procedural rules of each chamber. The shift in power marks a new chapter in American politics, with the Democratic Party poised to shape the direction of the nation for the next two years.