In the last Illinois primary elections, Chicago experienced record-breaking early voting turnout, contributing to a strong turnout despite slower activity on Election Day itself. Hundreds of thousands of voters flocked to the polls earlier, although in-person voting lagged, leading to a turnout around 19% by afternoon. Political analysts noted that the adverse weather conditions may have contributed to the thin crowds at polling places on the day of the election. Experts, including professors from Northwestern University, provided insights into the factors driving voter engagement, emphasizing that voters are energized by various pressing issues. Overall, the early and mail voting significantly outpaced previous election cycles.