Illinois Votes: The Big 2020 Election!

Illinois, a state rich in political history and diverse in its geography and demographics, has long been a significant player in American presidential elections. Situated in the Midwest, it boasts the major urban center of Chicago, a global economic and cultural powerhouse, alongside extensive agricultural regions. This duality often creates a complex political landscape.

Historically, Illinois has leaned Democratic in presidential contests since the 1990s, with Chicago serving as a consistent Democratic stronghold. The 2020 election was anticipated to follow this trend, with most analyses classifying Illinois as a 'safe blue state,' meaning a predictable victory for the Democratic candidate, Joe Biden.

The 2020 United States presidential election in Illinois pitted the incumbent Republican President Donald Trump and his running mate, Vice President Mike Pence, against the Democratic ticket of former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris. The election unfolded against a backdrop of national polarization and specific state-level concerns.

While national polling largely predicted a Biden win in Illinois, the nuances of voter turnout, regional preferences, and the candidates' ability to mobilize their bases within the state were critical factors. The election was held on November 3, 2020, as part of the nationwide election involving all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Joe Biden ultimately carried Illinois, securing 57.54% of the popular vote, while Donald Trump received 40.55%. This outcome was largely in line with expectations, yet it contained subtle shifts. Notably, Trump's performance in Illinois was a slight improvement compared to his 2016 results, a rare occurrence in the 2020 election, happening in only six other states.

This suggests a degree of resilience for the Republican candidate even in a state that ultimately voted Democratic. The Libertarian nominee, Jo Jorgensen, who hailed from Grayslake, Illinois, garnered 1.1% of the vote, indicating a segment of the electorate dissatisfied with the two major parties.

The electoral map of Illinois in 2020 was overwhelmingly shaped by Cook County, home to Chicago. Biden's victory in Illinois was largely driven by an exceptionally strong performance there, where he won a commanding 74.3% of the vote. The sheer volume of votes from Cook County was so substantial that it offset losses in more Republican-leaning downstate areas.

Hypothetically, if Cook County's votes were excluded, Donald Trump would have won Illinois by a significant margin, demonstrating the profound impact of urban centers on state-level election outcomes and the concentration of Democratic support.

Analysis of exit polls provided critical insights into the demographic coalitions that propelled Joe Biden to victory in Illinois. Biden demonstrated broad appeal across key Democratic constituencies. He secured 92% of the Black vote and 68% of the Latino vote, with specific strength among Mexican-heritage Latinos (67%).

Union households also favored Biden with 53% of their vote. While White voters were more divided, Biden still managed to capture 50% of this demographic. This diverse coalition underscores the complex interplay of race, class, and union affiliation in shaping Illinois's voting behavior and securing the Democratic win.

Illinois's role in the 2020 election extended beyond its own borders due to the magnitude of its vote count. Joe Biden's victory margin in Illinois surpassed one million votes. This placed Illinois in an elite group of only five states, alongside California, Maryland, Massachusetts, and New York, to achieve such a substantial margin of victory for the Democratic candidate.

This highlights Illinois's status as a reliably Democratic state and underscores the significant contribution it made to Biden's overall national electoral success, solidifying its importance in the broader presidential election narrative.