The Ballot Brief
Cook County, Illinois

Illinois House District 34

One candidate is tracked for Illinois House District 34 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Cleopatra "Cleo" Cowley. Candidate information follows official Cook County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Cleopatra "Cleo" Cowley (Democratic) is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot. The seat is open: Rep. Nicholas K. Smith (Democratic), the sitting member per the General Assembly's roster, is not on the November ballot. Party nominees were chosen at the March 17 primary (plurality, no runoffs); independent and new-party candidates qualified by petition. The field is the State Board of Elections' 2026 General Election candidate list (status Active, read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. One name is on the ballot for this seat.

Illinois › Cook County › Illinois House District 34

Cleopatra "Cleo" Cowley

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Community safety and violence prevention
  • Economic development in the district
  • Education and youth empowerment

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Cleopatra Cowley is a mother and grandmother who became a gun violence prevention advocate and community activist after her daughter, Hadiya Pendleton, was killed in 2013, per her campaign site.

Next on your ballotIllinois House District 35

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Illinois House District 34 in 2026?

One candidate is tracked for Illinois House District 34 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Cleopatra "Cleo" Cowley. Candidate information follows official Cook County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Illinois House District 34 election in Illinois?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Illinois are on the Illinois election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Cook County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Cook County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Illinois election office, or see the full Cook County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Cook County ballot

135 tracked races in Cook County, Illinois. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Illinois House District 36Illinois House District 37Illinois House District 38See all 135 Cook County races
Candidate profiles
Cleopatra "Cleo" Cowley, full profileOfficial Illinois election office