Evanston voters head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, to decide the Illinois House District 18 race between incumbent Democrat Robyn Gabel and Republican challenger Pete Donaghue.

Gabel, 73, has held the seat since 2010 and serves as majority leader of the Illinois House, a position she assumed in January 2023, according to the Evanston RoundTable's ballot guide. Donaghue, 65, is a Wilmette resident, former trader and real estate professional, according to a Chicago Tribune endorsement editorial.

The 18th District covers most of Evanston and the North Shore suburbs of Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Glencoe, Northbrook and Northfield. A separate sliver of Evanston, the 6th Ward west of McDaniel Avenue, falls in the neighboring 17th District, according to the RoundTable guide.

What's at stake

All 118 Illinois House seats are on the ballot Nov. 3, according to Axios Chicago's voter guide. Representatives serve two-year terms. State lawmakers set policy on taxes, school funding, public safety and housing.

The Tribune editorial board, which endorsed Donaghue, described the race as a contest between Gabel's progressive fiscal positions and Donaghue's more fiscally restrained approach. The editorial noted that Gabel has long supported higher taxes, including a graduated income tax, and voted for a temporary income tax increase in 2011. Donaghue told the Tribune editorial board he opposes a proposed millionaire surtax and supports pension reform that protects benefits already earned while reducing future obligations.

The Tribune editorial board also noted weaknesses in Donaghue's platform, saying his positions on public safety and property taxes lacked detail.

How to vote

Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Early voting runs through Monday, Nov. 2, according to the city of Evanston's elections page. Voters can look up their polling place and registration status through the Cook County Clerk's website.

Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon noted that suburban Cook County voter participation was running strong ahead of Election Day, according to the clerk's office.

Results will be posted on the Cook County Clerk's website after polls close. No results are available until voting ends Tuesday evening.