Donna Miller Wins Democratic Primary for Illinois’ 2nd District
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, a former Planned Parenthood of Illinois board member, won Tuesday’s Democratic primary for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District, defeating former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and state Sen. Robert Peters in a safely Democratic seat that stretches from Chicago south along the Indiana border. Miller, who joined the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 2018, ran on health care affordability and maternal health and vowed in campaign materials to defend reproductive rights and lower costs. Federal Election Commission records cited in the report show she raised about $1.9 million, far more than either Jackson or Peters, helping power her victory. She is seeking to succeed seven‑term Rep. Robin Kelly, who is running for U.S. Senate, and will face Republican nominee Mike Noack, a truck driver who ran unopposed, in November. Given the district’s 70‑year history as a Democratic stronghold and Kelly’s 35‑point win in 2024, Miller enters the general election as a prohibitive favorite and a likely future House member on health‑care and abortion debates.
📌 Key Facts
- Donna Miller, a Cook County commissioner and former Planned Parenthood of Illinois board member, won the Democratic primary for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District on Tuesday.
- Miller defeated former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and state Sen. Robert Peters in the primary.
- She raised about $1.9 million, significantly more than her opponents, according to FEC records.
- Miller is running to replace seven‑term Democratic Rep. Robin Kelly, who is seeking a U.S. Senate seat.
- The heavily Democratic district has not elected a Republican since 1952; the GOP nominee is truck driver Mike Noack, who ran unopposed.
📊 Relevant Data
Illinois' 2nd Congressional District has a population of 742,590, with racial and ethnic breakdown as follows: Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) 46.2%, White (Non-Hispanic) 34.1%, Hispanic 15.3%.
Congressional District 2, IL | Data USA — Data USA
In Illinois, Black women have a maternal mortality rate of 78 deaths per 100,000 live births (2021-2022), more than twice as likely as White women to die from any pregnancy-related cause and more than three times as likely from medical conditions.
Illinois maternal mortality report finds rise in pregnancy-related deaths — ABC7 Chicago
Nationally, non-Hispanic Black women have an abortion rate of 25.7 per 1,000 women aged 15–44, compared to 6.4 for non-Hispanic White women (2020 data).
How many abortions occur in the US? — USAFacts
Illinois' 2nd Congressional District has a median household income of $64,304, a poverty rate of 17.8%, and an uninsured rate of 7.49%.
Congressional District 2, IL | Data USA — Data USA
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