Who's In the Race

Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL) faces Republican Jeff Walter in the Nov. 3 general election in Illinois's 11th District. The ballot also includes independent candidates. ​

Foster is a physicist and former high-tech manufacturing business owner who has represented the district since 2013. He ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, collecting all 69,637 votes cast.

Walter is a retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer and retired IT executive who serves as mayor of Elburn, Illinois. He won the Republican primary with about 43 percent of the vote over Michael Pierce, who finished second with about 39 percent. Illinois enacted a new congressional map in 2021, and the 11th District is running under that map.

What They Stand For

Foster has proposed moving toward universal health care coverage, according to his campaign website. He's also supported:

  • Combating the climate crisis, drawing on his scientific background to shape energy and environment policy,
  • Defending women's access to reproductive health care and bodily autonomy,
  • Protecting democracy, citing his family's background in civil-rights law; and
  • Addressing economic issues, which his campaign describes as a deep focus.

Walter has proposed making the Trump tax cuts permanent and cutting federal waste and fraud, according to his campaign website. He's also supported:

  • Unleashing American energy production and reducing regulatory red tape,
  • Fully funding law enforcement and ending what he calls "soft-on-crime policies"; and
  • Reforming immigration to restore border control and strengthen legal immigration pathways.

The Money Behind the Race

Federal Election Commission filings show Foster raised about $2.2 million through June 30 and had about $2.5 million in cash on hand. His filings also show about $1 million in debt.

Walter raised about $311,000 through June 30 and had about $23,000 in cash on hand, with about $165,000 in debt, according to FEC filings.

Outside spending in the race totals just $10, all of it supporting Foster, spent by Sierra Club Independent Action.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rated the race "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 9. Sabato's Crystal Ball agreed, also rating it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 11. Inside Elections likewise rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 2.

Kalshi traders gave Democrats, whose nominee is Foster, a 96.4 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 13; Republicans, whose nominee is Walter, stood at 3.6 percent.

Foster carried the 11th District with about 56 percent in 2022 and about 56 percent again in 2024. Statewide, Democrats won 14 of Illinois's 17 U.S. House seats in both 2022 and 2024, with Republicans taking the other three. In the 2024 presidential race, Democrat Kamala Harris carried Illinois with about 54 percent of the vote.

Regular voter registration closes Tuesday, Oct. 6; online registration stays open through Sunday, Oct. 18, at 11:59 p.m. The deadline to apply for a mail ballot is Thursday, Oct. 29. Early voting runs Thursday, Sept. 24, through Monday, Nov. 2, with hours and locations varying by county. On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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