The two leading candidates vying for Illinois’ open U.S. Senate seat sparred over key issues including the ongoing conflict with Iran, immigration policy, and economic affordability during a forum held Tuesday night at WTTW-Ch. 11’s studios in Chicago. The event marked the only scheduled face-to-face debate ahead of the Nov. 3 election to replace retiring Senator Dick Durbin.
Republican Don Tracy, a Springfield attorney and former state GOP chair, largely aligned with former President Donald Trump’s policies, defending the military actions against Iran initiated under Trump’s administration. Tracy described the resultant increase in gas prices as a "temporary spike" and framed the war as a necessary effort to prevent a larger conflict. He also supported Trump’s use of tariffs and criticized Democratic proposals for raising the federal minimum wage and changing immigration enforcement. Conversely, Democrat Juliana Stratton, the state’s lieutenant governor, called for an immediate end to the war in Iran and vowed to oppose any additional federal funding for it. She criticized the Trump administration’s trade policies and pledged to hold the president accountable for economic hardship she said was worsened by tariffs.
Tracy repeatedly accused Stratton of socialist affiliations, alleging her campaign focused on efforts to impeach Trump and shift Illinois away from a free enterprise system. Stratton, who has denied identifying as a democratic socialist in prior statements, did not respond directly to these claims during the forum. She centered her campaign messages on advancing middle-class interests, calling for higher taxes on millionaires to fund tax relief for middle-income earners, and promoting a $25 federal minimum wage. Stratton also emphasized her commitment to abortion rights and expanding access to women's healthcare.
The candidates presented sharply contrasting views on immigration enforcement. Stratton advocated for abolishing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE), citing its involvement in aggressive operations such as the Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago last fall, which she described as abusive and deadly. She called for expanding immigration courts and providing clearer pathways to legal citizenship. Tracy defended ICE’s enforcement actions as targeting serious offenders and criticized Stratton’s position as supporting "open borders." He acknowledged the federal government’s struggles in enforcing immigration laws in sanctuary cities and criticized what he described as efforts to obstruct enforcement.
On economic issues, Tracy warned that raising the federal minimum wage would harm small businesses and drive inflation higher, suggesting instead that current economic indicators show income growth. Stratton took a more moderate stance toward small business concerns, noting her support for engaging with business owners as Illinois phased in a $15 minimum wage. They also debated the failure of Congress to pass a new five-year farm bill, with Stratton blaming Republican efforts to attach cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Tracy defending work requirements tied to aid programs.
The forum underscored the ideological divide between the candidates: Tracy emphasizing conservative economic and national security priorities aligned with Trump, while Stratton pushed a progressive agenda focused on social equity, economic support for the middle class, and immigration reform. The open Senate seat and the contrast between the candidates are drawing significant attention in a pivotal midterm election.