Early voting in Chicago and all Illinois counties expands Monday, with more locations now open for any voter who wants to cast their ballot before Election Day.
In Chicago, this means early voting in all 50 wards. For suburban Cook County voters, the number of locations expands from six to 56. Early voting expansions begin in all Illinois counties, including all Chicago area counties, Monday. Click here for a complete list of early voting locations in the Chicago area.
Some counties also see more early voting sites added on a temporary basis as the month goes on to accommodate more voters. Most early voting sites turn into regular voting sites for Election Day in Illinois.
Some voters got a head start over the weekend at the Chicago supersite at Adams and State streets downtown. They said it took less than 10 minutes to vote.
Illinois voter guide for the 2026 midterm election
CBS News Chicago spoke to voters who cast their ballots Monday at State and Adams, at the Whitney Young Library on the South Side and at the Wicker Park-Bucktown Library. For some it was tradition, for others it was a deep sense of duty and obligation that kept the early voting lines moving steadily throughout the city.
"I've been voting ever since I turned 18. And I'm 73 now," said India Parks, voter.
Her choices were driven by affordability.
"Help where children are not getting fed, even seniors not able to buy food," she said.
She wasn't the only one who said they were hoping for change. Key races in Chicago and Illinois include the race for governor, a new U.S. Senator and the first ever fully elected Chicago School Board.
"I'm glad that I could do it on the first day," Park said. "I'm hoping and praying that on the other days it's as crowded as it is today."
Early voters said they value the flexibility that the process brings.
"I think it's important to provide more days and accessibility to all voters," said Kent Watkins.
Acquanetta Ross dropped off her mail-in ballot at an early voting site secure drop box.
"I have issues walking, standing for long periods of time, so I choose this in order for me to make sure I have my vote counted," she said.
Everyone we spoke to was excited about the process and hoped to inspire others to be too.
"Do you research," Ross said. "You get on line for everything else, why not get on line to find out who you're voting for?"
The expansion gives people more options to fit voting into their schedules before the 2026 midterm election.
Most, if not all, Illinois early voting sites have a secure drop box for completed mail ballots to be turned into as well.
In Chicago, voters can also register or update their registration at early voting sites. The Chicago Board of Elections website breaks down what identification to bring.
The city said all its early voting locations are accessible to voters with disabilities, with language assistance also available.
Meanwhile, Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon said Sunday that new innovations in its Election Lens technology, which was developed in partnership with the election security and technology company KNOWiNK, is helping her office monitor the voting process — from tracking equipment to following mail-in ballots.
"If a carrier appears to be missing or is at the wrong location, Election Lens can flag the issue so our team can investigate and work to resolve it before the polls open," Gordon said.
Chicago's ward sites will be open until 6 p.m. Monday. Suburban hours vary by location.
Later Monday morning, city election officials will hold a news conference about the early voting expansion and services available to voters.
As early voting expands, faith leaders on Chicago's South Side are encouraging people to vote. Starting at 11 a.m. Monday, they are holding a get-out-the-vote event at Evening Star Missionary Baptist Church, at 4235 S. Cottage Grove Ave. in Bronzeville. Afterward, participants will march to the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center, about a block away at 4314 S. Cottage Grove Ave., which is an early voting site.
Also Monday, the Chicago Board of Elections will accept nominating petitions and related paperwork from candidates in the 2027 municipal and aldermanic elections. This includes candidates for Chicago mayor, city clerk, and treasurer.
The Chicago municipal election will be held Feb. 23, 2027.
