The Ballot Brief
Cook County, Illinois

Illinois House District 12

Kendrick and Kumar are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Cook County election filings.

About this race

Paul Kendrick (Democratic), Justin J. Kumar (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot. The seat is open: Rep. Margaret Croke (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.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

Illinois › Cook County › Illinois House District 12

Paul Kendrick

Democratic

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Safer streets
  • Lower costs for families
  • Stronger communities
Biography

Paul Kendrick began his career at the Harlem Children's Zone and later served in the Obama administration's Department of Education and White House, per the campaign site. He directed Rust Belt Rising for five years training Democratic candidates on economic messaging, served as Director of Program Strategy at Hope Chicago on debt-free college initiatives, and teaches as an adjunct professor at National Louis University, per the campaign site. He co-authored three books with his father, including works on Martin Luther King and Frederick Douglass and Lincoln, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
Justin J. Kumar

Justin J. Kumar

Republican

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Fiscal responsibility and budget discipline
  • Public safety and crime reduction
  • Infrastructure and community investment
Biography

Kumar is President and CEO of Frontload Group LLC, a holding company focused on investment and portfolio management, with more than two decades of experience in strategy, business development, private equity and venture capital, per the campaign site. Kumar completed bachelor's and master's degrees at Northwestern University and serves on the boards of the Lupus Society of Illinois and the Gayle Sayers Foundation, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
Next on your ballotIllinois House District 13

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Illinois House District 12 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Illinois House District 12 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Paul Kendrick and Justin J. Kumar. Candidate information follows official Cook County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Illinois House District 12 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 October 15, 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.

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

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Illinois House District 14Illinois House District 15Illinois House District 16See all 135 Cook County races
Candidate profiles
Paul Kendrick, full profileJustin J. Kumar, full profileOfficial Illinois election office