Illinois congressional races to watch

Every Illinois congressional seat is up for election this year, but some are more competitive than others.

The big picture: In 2021, the Democratic majority in Springfield redrew the congressional districts, much to the chagrin of state Republicans. The map favors incumbent Democrats , who already hold 14 of the 17 seats.

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Here are five races to watch:

17th District: Eric Sorensen (D) is serving his first term in Congress after Rep. Cheri Bustos resigned in 2022. The Rockford native has been targeted by national Republicans, who believe they can win in the northern Illinois district.

• Sorensen's Republican opponent, Joe McGraw, is a retired judge and prosecutor who is running on a public safety platform.
• Analysts say this is the only competitive race in Illinois, but it is leaning Democrat.

Democrat Rep. Sean Casten (L) and Republican challenger Niki Conforti. Photo illustration: Axios Visuals. Photo: Courtesy of both campaigns

6th District: Rep. Sean Casten (D) benefited greatly from the redrawn maps, as he previously faced intense opposition from Republicans for the suburban seat once held by Republican Rep. Peter Roskam.

• This year, Republican Niki Conforti of Glen Ellyn is challenging Casten in the district that includes big suburban Democrat areas like Des Plaines, Schaumburg and Elgin.
• Although the race is expected to favor the incumbent, Conforti is making headlines siding with former President Trump on issues like immigration and crime.

13th District: Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D) is running for her second term representing the downstate district that includes Springfield. Budzinski is one of a handful of Democrats who hold office in the mostly Republican part of the state.

• Her Republican challenger is Joshua Loyd. Loyd is from Murphysboro and served in the U.S. Army.

Yes, but: The 2021 redistricting drew the 13th to include cities like Springfield and Decatur, as well as university towns like Champaign, which heavily vote Democratic.

14th District: Lauren Underwood (D) beat her GOP challenger in 2020 by a handful of votes , narrowly avoiding a recount. Since the maps have been redrawn, the former nurse has had an easier time.

• This election season, she's spent most of her time campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris in neighboring states after getting a prime-time speaking slot at the DNC.
• Republican James Marter is challenging her for the seat that includes Joliet and parts of Plainfield. Marter is an Oswego Library District Board Trustee and served as a delegate for Trump at this year's RNC.

Democratic Rep. Bill Foster (left) and Republican challenger Jerry Evans. Photo illustration: Axios Visuals Photo: Courtesy of both campaigns.

11th District: Rep. Bill Foster (D) has represented the DuPage County district since 2013 and has been in Congress since 2008.

• Foster is also helped by the new map, but he represents cities like Aurora and Naperville, which voted Republican in past elections. His Republican challenger is Jerry Evans, a teacher and music school owner.

Of note: Republican Reps. Mary Miller (15th) and Darin LaHood (16th) are running unopposed.