1986 Illinois elections#Treasurer
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 1986 Illinois elections
| country = Illinois
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1984 Illinois elections
| previous_year = 1984
| next_election = 1988 Illinois elections
| next_year = 1988
| election_date = November 4, 1986
| turnout = 55.34%
}}
{{ElectionsIL}}
Elections were held in Illinois on Tuesday, November 4, 1986.
Primaries were held March 18, 1986.
{{Toclimit|limit=3}}
Election information
1986 was a midterm election year in the United States.
=Creation of the Illinois Solidarity Party=
After LaRouche movement disciples won the Democratic primaries for Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State, Adlai Stevenson III created the Solidarity Party primarily to run Democratic candidates against them in the general election. He himself dropped off of the Democratic ticket for Governor, which he had won the primary for, and ran instead as the Solidarity Party candidate for Governor. The two Lyndon LaRouche-affiliated candidates, Mark J. Fairchild for Lieutenant Governor and Janice Hart for Secretary of State, had not seen their affiliations with LaRouche well-publicized until after they won their upset primary defeats over Stevenson-backed candidates George Sangmeister and Aurelia Pucinski.{{Citation| last = Malcolm| first = Andrew H.| title = 2 CONSERVATIVE EXTREMISTS UPSET DEMOCRATS IN THE ILLINOIS PRIMARY| newspaper = New York Times| pages = A18| date = 20 March 1986| url = https://www.nytimes.com/1986/03/20/us/2-conservative-extremists-upset-democrats-in-the-illinois-primary.html| access-date = 9 November 2016}}
Illinois law required any unestablished party to run a full slate in order to obtain ballot access,{{cite web |title=Right to Run: Ballot access laws across the country exclude third party candidates |url=https://thepolitic.org/right-to-run-ballot-access-laws-across-the-country-exclude-third-party-candidates/ |website=The Politic |access-date=10 April 2020 |date=19 March 2020}} thus, Stevenson ran candidates in all races.
=Turnout=
Turnout in the primary was 26.23%, with 1,602,156 ballots cast. 1,014,908 Democratic and 570,661 Republican primary ballots were cast.{{cite web |title=OFFICIAL VOTE Cast at the PRIMARY ELECTION GENERAL PRIMARY, MARCH 18, 1986 |url=https://www.elections.il.gov/DocDisplay.aspx?doc=Downloads/ElectionOperations/VoteTotals/Archived/1986/1986%20PE.PDF |website=www.elections.il.gov |publisher=Illinois Secretary of State |access-date=10 April 2020}}
Turnout in the general election was 55.34%, with 3,332,450 ballots cast.{{cite web |title=OFFICIAL VOTE Cast at the GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 4, 1986 |url=https://www.elections.il.gov/DocDisplay.aspx?doc=Downloads/ElectionOperations/VoteTotals/Archived/1986/1986%20GE.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602085116/https://www.elections.il.gov/DocDisplay.aspx?doc=Downloads/ElectionOperations/VoteTotals/Archived/1986/1986%20GE.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |website=www.elections.il.gov |publisher=Illinois State Board of Elections |access-date=10 April 2020 }}
=Straight-ticket voting=
Illinois had a straight-ticket voting option in 1986.
| class="wikitable" |
| Party |
|---|
| Democratic
| style=text-align:center|107,788 |
| Republican
| style=text-align:center|465,469 |
| Allin Walker
| style=text-align:center|17 |
| Illinois Solidarity
| style=text-align:center|1,901 |
| Libertarian
| style=text-align:center|1,239 |
| Quality Congressional Representation
| style=text-align:center|421 |
| Socialist Workers
| style=text-align:center|358 |
Federal elections
=United States Senate=
{{main|1986 United States Senate election in Illinois}}
{{see also|1986 United States Senate elections}}
Incumbent Democratic Senator Alan Dixon was reelected.
= United States House =
{{main|1986 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois}}
{{see also|1986 United States House of Representatives elections}}
All Illinois seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election in 1986.
State elections
= Governor and Lieutenant Governor=
{{main|1986 Illinois gubernatorial election}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 1986 Illinois gubernatorial election
| country = Illinois
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1982 Illinois gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1982
| next_election = 1990 Illinois gubernatorial election
| next_year = 1990
| election_date = November 4, 1986
| image1 = File:Governor James Thompson 2 (3x4).jpg
| image_size = 150x150px
| nominee1 = James R. Thompson
| running_mate1 = George Ryan
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 1,655,849
| percentage1 = 52.7%
| image2 = File:Adlai III (3x4 2).jpg
| nominee2 = Adlai Stevenson III
| party2 = Solidarity Party (Illinois)
| running_mate2 = Mike Howlett
| popular_vote2 = 1,256,626
| percentage2 = 40.0%
| image3 = 3x4.svg
| nominee3 = No candidate
| party3 = Democratic Party (United States)
| running_mate3 = Mark Fairchild
| popular_vote3 = 208,830
| percentage3 = 6.6%
| map_image = 1986 Illinois gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size = x300px
| map_caption = County Results:
Thompson:
{{legend0|#ffb2b2|40-50%}}
{{legend0|#e27f7f|50-60%}}
{{legend0|#d75d5d|60-70%}}
{{legend0|#d72f30|70-80%}}
Stevenson:
{{legend0|#87de87|40-50%}}
{{legend0|#37c837|50-60%}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = James R. Thompson
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = James R. Thompson
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
| turnout = 52.37%
}}
Incumbent Governor James R. Thompson won reelection to a fourth term, defeating Adlai Stevenson III. This was a rematch of the previous 1982 gubernatorial election, which saw Stevenson as a Democratic nominee.
Stevenson, who had won the Democratic gubernatorial primary, withdrew from the Democratic ticket after Mark Fairchild, a follower of Lyndon LaRouche, won the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor. Stevenson refused to run on a ticket with supporters of LaRouche's ideology. Stevenson instead created the Illinois Solidarity Party and ran as its nominee.
{{Election box begin no change | title=Gubernatorial election}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = James R. Thompson (incumbent) / George Ryan (incumbent)
|votes = 1,655,849
|percentage = 52.67
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change |
|party = Solidarity Party (Illinois)
|candidate = Adlai Stevenson III / Mike Howlett
|votes = 1,256,626
|percentage = 39.97
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change |
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = No candidate / Mark Fairchild
|votes = 208,830
|percentage = 6.64
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Gary L. Shilts/ Gerry Walsh
|votes = 15,646
|percentage = 0.50
|change = -0.16
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change |
|party = Socialist Workers Party (United States)
|candidate = Diane Roling/ Jim Little
|votes = 6,843
|percentage = 0.22
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change |
|party = Write-in
|candidate = Others
|votes = 184
|percentage = 0.01
}}
{{Election box total no change|
|votes = 3,143,978
|percentage = 100
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}
= Attorney General =
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 1986 Illinois Attorney General election
| country = Illinois
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1982 Illinois Attorney General election
| previous_year = 1982
| next_election = 1990 Illinois Attorney General election
| next_year = 1990
| election_date = November 4, 1986
| image1 = File:Attorney General Neil Hartigan (cropped).jpg
| image_size = 150x150px
| nominee1 = Neil Hartigan
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 1,925,012
| percentage1 = 61.71%
| image2 = File:3x4.svg
| nominee2 = Bernard Carey
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 1,129,193
| percentage2 = 36.20%
| map_image = 1986 Illinois Attorney General election results map by county.svg
| map_caption = County results
Hartigan: {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}
Carey: {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}}
| map_size = x300px
| title = Attorney General
| before_election = Neil Hartigan
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = Neil Hartigan
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
Incumbent Attorney General Neil Hartigan, a Democrat, was reelected to a second term.
==Democratic primary==
Incumbent Neil Hartigan defeated Chicago alderman Martin J. Oberman in the Democratic primary.
Hartigan had originally declared his intention to forgo seeking reelection, and instead run for governor, but he ultimately reversed course and sought reelection after Adlai Stevenson III entered the race for governor.{{cite web |last1=Dold |first1=R. Bruce |title=CAREY FIGHTS HARTIGAN`S LEAD IN ATTORNEY GENERAL CONTEST |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-10-30-8603210776-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |publisher=Chicago Tribune |access-date=10 April 2020 |date=30 October 1986}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Attorney General Democratic primary
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party= Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Neil F. Hartigan (incumbent)
| votes = 531,801
| percentage = 61.67
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Martin J. Oberman
| votes = 330,561
| percentage = 38.33
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Write-in
| candidate = Others
| votes = 1
| percentage = 0.00
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 862,363
| percentage = 100
}}
{{election box end}}
==Republican primary==
Republican Village President of Arlington Heights James T. Ryan won the Republican primary, running unopposed.{{cite web |title=Former Wheeling Township Supervisor, Former Acting Arlington Heights Mayor Michael Schroeder Dies at 61 |url=https://www.arlingtoncardinal.com/2016/05/former-wheeling-township-supervisor-former-acting-arlington-heights-mayor-michael-schroeder-dies/ |website=Cardinal News |publisher=Arlington Cardinal |access-date=10 April 2020 |date=8 May 2016}} Ryan stepped-down as nominee after allegations arose that he had committed domestic abuse against both his wife and ex-wife, which arose soon after he received his party's nomination.{{cite web |last1=Daley |first1=Steve |title=PAPER DIDN`T TRAMPLE PRIVACY WITH SCOOP |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-05-25-8602070651-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |publisher=Chicago Tribune |access-date=10 April 2020 |date=25 May 1986}}
There had been originally been several other candidates running for the Republican nomination in the primary, but all withdrew soon after Democratic incumbent Hartigan announced that he would seek reelection.
If he had been elected, Ryan would have been the first Republican sitting mayor elected to statewide office in Illinois since Edward C. Akin was elected Attorney General in 1898.
After Ryan withdrew as the Republican nominee, he was replaced on the ballot by Bernard Carey, a member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners who had also formerly served as Cook County State's Attorney from 1972 through 1980. Ryan's withdrawal had taken place five months before the general election.
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Attorney General Republican primary
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party= Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = James T. Ryan
| votes = 434,917
| percentage = 100
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Write-in
| candidate = Others
| votes = 4
| percentage = 0.00
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 434,921
| percentage = 100
}}
{{election box end}}
==General election==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Attorney General election
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party= Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Neil Hartigan (incumbent)
| votes = 1,925,012
| percentage = 61.71
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Bernard Carey
| votes = 1,129,193
| percentage = 36.20
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Solidarity Party (Illinois)
| candidate = John Ray Keith
| votes = 33,702
| percentage = 1.08
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = Natalie Loder Clark
| votes = 24,068
| percentage = 0.77
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Socialist Workers Party (United States)
| candidate = Scott Dombeck
| votes = 7,254
| percentage = 0.23
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 3,119,229
| percentage = 100
}}
{{election box end}}
{{Clear}}
= Secretary of State =
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 1986 Illinois Secretary of State election
| country = Illinois
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1982 Illinois elections#Secretary of State
| previous_year = 1982
| next_election = 1990 Illinois elections#Secretary of State
| next_year = 1990
| election_date = November 4, 1986
| image1 = Jim Edgar circa 1987 bb 39878 full (3x4).jpg
| image_size = 150x150px
| nominee1 = Jim Edgar
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 2,095,489
| percentage1 = 67.16%
| image2 = File:3x4.svg
| nominee2 = Jane Spirgel
| party2 = Solidarity Party (Illinois)
| popular_vote2 = 521,410
| percentage2 = 16.71%
| image3 = File:3x4.svg
| nominee3 = Janice Hart
| party3 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote3 = 478,361
| percentage3 = 15.33%
| map_image = 1986 Illinois Secretary of State election results map by county.svg
| map_size = 300px
| map_caption = County Results:
Edgar:{{legend0|#ffb2b2|40-50%}}{{legend0|#e27f7f|50-60%}}{{legend0|#d75d5d|60-70%}}{{legend0|#d72f30|70-80%}}{{legend0|#C21B18|80-90%}}
| title = Secretary of State
| before_election = Jim Edgar
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = Jim Edgar
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}
Incumbent Secretary of State Jim Edgar, a Republican first appointed in 1981 and subsequently elected to a full term in 1982, was reelected to a second full term.
==Democratic primary==
Little known candidate Janice Hart won an upset victory over Aurelia Pucinski (who had the backing of Adlai Stevenson III and others). While, not well-reported until after the primary, Hart was a member of the LaRouche movement.
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Secretary of State Democratic primary
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party= Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Janice A. Hart
| votes = 375,405
| percentage = 51.17
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Aurelia Marie Pucinski
| votes = 358,232
| percentage = 48.83
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Write-in
| candidate = Others
| votes = 1
| percentage = 0.00
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 733,637
| percentage = 100
}}
{{election box end}}
==Republican primary==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Secretary of State Republican primary
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party= Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Jim Edgar (incumbent)
| votes = 487,842
| percentage = 100
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Write-in
| candidate = Others
| votes = 8
| percentage = 0.00
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 487,850
| percentage = 100
}}
{{election box end}}
==General election==
The Illinois Solidarity Party ran Jane N. Spirgel in the election. Spirgel was an outgoing member of the DuPage County Board (on which she was the sole remaining Democratic member and had first been elected in 1974).{{cite web |last1=Schmeltzer |first1=John |title=`SPUNKY` SPIRGEL LAST DEMOCRATIC SURVIVOR ON DU PAGE COUNTY BOARD |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-05-06-8602010767-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |publisher=Chicago Tribune |access-date=10 April 2020}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Secretary of State election
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party= Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Jim Edgar
| votes = 2,095,489
| percentage = 67.16
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Solidarity Party (Illinois)
| candidate = Jane N. Spirgel
| votes = 521,410
| percentage = 16.71
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Janice A. Hart
| votes = 478,361
| percentage = 15.33
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = Steven L. Givot
| votes = 17,566
| percentage = 0.56
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Socialist Workers Party (United States)
| candidate = Holly Harkness
| votes = 7,549
| percentage = 0.24
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 3,120,375
| percentage = 100
}}
{{election box end}}
{{clear}}
= Comptroller =
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 1986 Illinois State Comptroller election
| country = Illinois
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1982 Illinois Comptroller election
| previous_year = 1982
| next_election = 1990 Illinois Comptroller election
| next_year = 1990
| election_date = November 4, 1986
| image1 = File:Roland W. Burris circa 1987 Bb 39880 full (3x4).jpg
| image_size = 150x150px
| nominee1 = Roland Burris
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 1,880,413
| percentage1 = 61.33%
| image2 = File:Adeline Geo-Karis circa 1981 (3x4).jpg
| nominee2 = Adeline Geo-Karis
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 1,074,923
| percentage2 = 35.06%
| map_image = 1986 Illinois state comptroller election results map by county.svg
| map_size = 300px
| map_caption = County results
Burris: {{legend0|#A5B0FF|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584CDE|70–80%}}
Geo-Karis: {{legend0|#FFB2B2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}}
| title = State Comptroller
| before_election = Roland Burris
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = Dawn Clark Netsch
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
Incumbent Comptroller Roland Burris, a Democrat, was reelected to a third term.
==Democratic primary==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Comptroller Democratic primary
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party= Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Roland W. Burris (incumbent)
| votes = 633,142
| percentage = 77.74
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Donald S. Clark
| votes = 181,252
| percentage = 22.26
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Write-in
| candidate = Others
| votes = 1
| percentage = 0.00
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 814,395
| percentage = 100
}}
{{election box end}}
==Republican primary==
State Senator Adeline Jay Geo-Karis won the Republican primary unopposed.
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Comptroller Republican primary
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party= Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Adeline Jay Geo-Karis
| votes = 415,009
| percentage = 100
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Write-in
| candidate = Others
| votes = 1
| percentage = 0.00
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 415,010
| percentage = 100
}}
{{election box end}}
==General election==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Comptroller election
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party= Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Roland W. Burris (incumbent)
| votes = 1,880,413
| percentage = 61.33
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Adeline Jay Geo-Karis
| votes = 1,074,923
| percentage = 35.06
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Solidarity Party (Illinois)
| candidate = A. Patricia Scott
| votes = 78,389
| percentage = 2.56
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = Donald Morris
| votes = 22,428
| percentage = 0.73
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Socialist Workers Party (United States)
| candidate = Jim Miles
| votes = 9,998
| percentage = 0.33
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 3,066,151
| percentage = 100
}}
{{election box end}}
{{Clear}}
= Treasurer =
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 1986 Illinois State Treasurer election
| country = Illinois
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1982 Illinois elections#Treasurer
| previous_year = 1982
| next_election = 1990 Illinois elections#Treasurer
| next_year = 1990
| election_date = November 4, 1986
| image1 = Jerome Constentino 1989 (3x4).jpg
| nominee1 = Jerome Cosentino
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 1,724,979
| percentage1 = 56.25%
| image2 = File:J Michael Houston with Sailors Cropped.png
| nominee2 = J. Michael Houston
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 1,252,796
| percentage2 = 40.85%
| map_image = 1986 Illinois state treasurer election results map by county.svg
| map_size = 300px
| map_caption = County results
Cosentino: {{legend0|#A5B0FF|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}}
Houston: {{legend0|#FFB2B2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}}
Tie: {{legend0|#D2B1D9|40–50%}}
| title = Treasurer
| before_election = James Donnewald
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = Jerome Cosentino
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
Incumbent Treasurer James Donnewald, a Democrat, lost the Democratic primary to former Treasurer Jerome Cosentino. Consentino won the general election, earning him a second non-consecutive term.
==Democratic primary==
Incumbent James Donnewald lost renomination to former Treasurer Jerome Cosentino. Donnewald had been the party organization's favored candidate.{{cite web |last1=Neal |first1=Steve |title=COSENTINO: NEVER ONE TO DUCK A FIGHT |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-06-12-8602120202-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |publisher=Chicago Tribune |access-date=27 March 2020 |date=12 June 1986}}{{cite web |last1=Devall |first1=Cheryl |title=COSENTINO`S EDGE CUTS BOTH WAYS |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-10-14-8603170524-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |publisher=Chicago Tribune |access-date=27 March 2020 |date=14 October 1986}} Other candidates running included Cook County Board of Appeals member Pat Quinn and LaRouche movement member Robert D. Hart (who had the formal backing of Lyndon LaRouche's NDPC).{{cite web |last1=West |first1=Harry G. |last2=Sanders |first2=Todd |title=Transparency and Conspiracy: Ethnographies of Suspicion in the New World Order |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HeMdeV_LvAMC |publisher=Duke University Press |access-date=10 April 2020 |page=224 |language=en |date=17 April 2003}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Treasurer Democratic primary
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party= Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Jerry Cosentino
| votes = 241,006
| percentage = 30.22
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = James H. Donnewald (incumbent)
| votes = 235,052
| percentage = 29.47
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Patrick Quinn
| votes = 208,775
| percentage = 26.18
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Robert D. Hart
| votes = 112,645
| percentage = 14.13
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Write-in
| candidate = Others
| votes = 1
| percentage = 0.00
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 797,478
| percentage = 100
}}
{{election box end}}
==Republican primary==
J. Michael Houston, the mayor of Springfield, won the Republican nomination. Houston was seeking to become the first Republican Illinois Treasurer in over twenty years. He was also seeking to be the first Republican sitting mayor elected to statewide office in Illinois since Edward C. Akin was elected Illinois Attorney General in 1898.{{cite web |last1=Dold |first1=R. Bruce |title=RYAN FIGHTS HISTORY IN CAMPAIGN |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-12-08-8503240816-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |publisher=Chicago Tribune |access-date=10 April 2020 |date=8 December 1985}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Treasurer Republican primary
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party= Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Mike Houston
| votes = 421,486
| percentage = 100
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party= Write-in
| candidate = Others
| votes = 3
| percentage = 0.00
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 421,489
| percentage = 100
}}
{{election box end}}
==General election==
{{Election box begin no change
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|candidate= Jerry Cosentino
|party=Democratic Party (United States)
|votes= 1,724,979
|percentage= 56.25
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party=Republican Party (United States)
|candidate= Mike Houston
|votes= 1,252,796
|percentage= 40.85
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party=Solidarity Party (Illinois)
|candidate= William E. Skedd
|votes= 50,570
|percentage= 1.65
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party=Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate= Jay D. Marsh
|votes= 19,875
|percentage= 0.65
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party=Socialist Workers Party (United States)
|candidate= Lucille Robbins
|votes= 18,285
|percentage= 0.60
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes= 3,066,505
|percentage= 100
}}
{{election box end}}
{{clear}}
=State Senate=
Some of the seats of the Illinois Senate were up for election in 1986. Democrats retained control of the chamber.
=State House of Representatives=
All of the seats in the Illinois House of Representatives were up for election in 1986. Democrats retained control of the chamber.
=Trustees of University of Illinois=
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 1986 Trustees of University of Illinois election
| country =
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1984 Illinois elections#Trustees of University of Illinois
| previous_year = 1984
| next_election = 1988 Illinois elections#Trustees of University of Illinois
| next_year = 1988
| election_date = November 4, 1986
| turnout =
}}
An election was held for three of nine seats for Trustees of University of Illinois system for six year terms.
The election saw the reelection incumbent Democrat Nina T. Shepherd to a third term, as well as the election of new Democratic trustees Judith Ann Calder and Charles Wolff.
First-term incumbent Republicans Galey Day and Dean E. Madden lost reelection.
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Trustees of the University of Illinois election{{cite web |title=Trustees, University of Illinois Board of Trustees |url=https://www.bot.uillinois.edu/UserFiles/Servers/Server_694865/File/UI-trustees-chronological.pdf |publisher=University of Illinois |access-date=1 April 2020}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party= Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate= Nina T. Shephered (incumbent)
|votes= 1,394,762
|percentage= 16.67
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party= Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate= Judith Ann Calder
|votes= 1,362,623
|percentage= 16.29
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party= Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate= Charles Wolff
|votes= 1,300,436
|percentage= 15.54
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate= Dean E. Madden (incumbent)
|party= Republican Party (United States)
|votes= 1,271,806
|percentage= 15.20
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate= Mrs. Galey Day (incumbent)
|party= Republican Party (United States)
|votes= 1,253,707
|percentage= 14.99
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate= David A. McConnell
|party= Republican Party (United States)
|votes= 1,221,379
|percentage= 14.60
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate= Elena Mulcahy
|party= Solidarity Party (Illinois)
|votes= 108,337
|percentage= 1.30
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate= James S. Spencer
|party= Solidarity Party (Illinois)
|votes= 102,419
|percentage= 1.22
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate= Philip Martin
|party= Solidarity Party (Illinois)
|votes= 92,253
|percentage= 1.10
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate= Anne McCracken
|party= Libertarian Party (United States)
|votes= 83,586
|percentage= 1.00
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate= Stephen N. Nelson
|party= Libertarian Party (United States)
|votes= 52,823
|percentage= 0.63
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate= Gene Bourke
|party= Libertarian Party (United States)
|votes= 43,312
|percentage= 0.52
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate= Pedro Vasquez
|party= Socialist Workers Party (United States)
|votes= 31,220
|percentage= 0.37
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate= Cathleen Gutekanst
|party= Socialist Workers Party (United States)
|votes= 28,093
|percentage= 0.34
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate= Stephen Bloodworth
|party= Socialist Workers Party (United States)
|votes= 19,755
|percentage= 0.24
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes= 8,366,511
|percentage= 100
}}
{{election box end}}
=Judicial elections=
=Ballot measures=
Illinois voters voted on two ballot measures in 1986,{{cite web |title=Illinois Constitution - Amendments Proposed |url=http://www.ilga.gov/commission/lrb/conampro.htm |website=www.ilga.gov |publisher=Illinois General Assembly |access-date=26 March 2020}} both of them legislatively referred constitutional amendments. In order to be approved, measures required either 60% support among those specifically voting on the amendment or 50% support among all ballots cast in the elections.
==Bail Amendment==
Voters approved the Bail Amendment, a legislatively referred constitutional amendment which amended Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution of Illinois to further expand the population that may be denied bail.{{cite web |title=Illinois Bail Amendment (1986) |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Illinois_Bail_Amendment_(1986) |website=Ballotpedia |access-date=29 March 2020 |language=en}}
| class="wikitable" |
| Option
! Votes ! % of votes ! % of all ballots |
|---|
| text align=center | Yes
| text align=center |1,368,242 | text align=center |77.25 | text align=center |41.18 |
| text align=center | No
| text align=center | 402,891 | text align=center | 22.75 | text align=center | 12.13 |
| text align=center | Total votes
! text align=center | 1,771,133 ! text align=center | 100 ! text align=center | 53.31 |
| {{Background color|#F6F6F6}} | Voter turnout
| {{Background color|#F6F6F6}} colspan=3 text align=right | 29.50% |
[[File:1986 Illinois Bail Amendment results map by county.svg|300px|thumb|Amendment results by county
{{collapsible list
|title=Yes:
|{{legend|#28497C|80–90%}}
|{{legend|#47729E|70–80%}}
|{{legend|#7D9CBB|60–70%}}
}}
]]
{{Clear}}
==Exempt Veterans' Organizations from Property Taxes Amendment==
Exempt Veterans' Organizations from Property Taxes Amendment, a legislatively refereed constitutional amendment which would amend Article IX, Section 6 of the Constitution of Illinois to exempt property used exclusively by veterans' organizations from property taxes, failed to meet either threshold amend the constitution.{{cite web |title=Illinois Exempt Veterans' Organizations from Property Taxes (1986) |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Illinois_Exempt_Veterans%27_Organizations_from_Property_Taxes_(1986) |website=Ballotpedia |access-date=29 March 2020}}
[[File:1986 Illinois Exempt Veterans' Organizations from Property Taxes Amendment results map by county.svg|300px|thumb|Amendment results by county
{{collapsible list
|title=Yes:
|{{legend|#47729E|70–80%}}
|{{legend|#7D9CBB|60–70%}}
|{{legend|#B6C8D9|50–60%}}
}}
{{collapsible list
|title=No:
|{{legend|#DEDEBD|50–60%}}
}}
]]
{{Clear}}
Local elections
Local elections were held. These included county elections, such as the Cook County elections.