On November 12, 2015, Chicago Alderman Howard Brookins Jr. was reported to be circulating petitions to run for Congress, leading to speculation that Rush might retire.

[4] Brookins had previously circulated petitions in 2013, but declined to run at that time when Rush announced for re-election.

[7][8] Former Cure Violence director and 2014 gubernatorial candidate Tio Hardiman had announced he would challenge Rush for the Democratic nomination.

Oren Jacobson, a tech entrepreneur, had formed an exploratory committee in May 2015 to consider a primary challenge of Lipinski.

Javier Salas, a former journalist and former senior policy adviser to Governor Pat Quinn, challenged Gutiérrez for the Democratic nomination.

Glen Ellyn Park District commissioner Jay Kinzler opposed Roskam in the primary.

Representatives State officials Organizations Newspapers Individuals Bob Dold Republican Brad Schneider Democratic The incumbent was Republican Bob Dold, who had represented the district since 2015 and previously from 2011 to 2013.

Representatives State legislators Organizations Newspapers Local officials Individuals U.S.

Representatives State officials State legislators Labor unions Organizations Newspapers State officials Organizations Newspapers Local officials Organizations Bill Foster Democratic Bill Foster Democratic The incumbent was Democrat Bill Foster, who had represented the district since 2013 and previously represented the 14th district from 2008 to 2011.

Prior to the Democratic primary, international aid worker Edward Vowell had formed an exploratory committee.

[105] Organizations Bost defeated Baricevic and Bradshaw in the general election on November 8, 2016, winning 54% of the vote.

[107] Newspapers Physician David Gill, the Democratic nominee for this district in 2004, 2006, 2010, and 2012 announced that he would make a fifth run, but as an independent this time.

In order to qualify for the general election ballot, Gill needed to file nomination papers by June 27, 2016.

Joe Walsh, former Republican representative for Illinois's 8th congressional district from 2011 to 2013 and radio talk show host on 560 AM considered a primary bid against Hultgren.

[116] Walsh did not file to run, leaving Hultgren unopposed for the Republican nomination.

[117][99] State officials Newspapers Organizations No candidates filed for the Democratic primary for this seat.

[121] Colin McGroarty announced on July 16, 2015, at a meeting of the Northern Illinois Tea Party that he would challenge Kinzinger for the Republican nomination.

Aaron Schock, who had represented the district since 2009 resigned March 31, 2015 due to controversy over his spending.

Mark Zalcman, a Normal, Illinois attorney, planned to challenge Schock in the Republican primary election in March 2016.

Zalcman promoted a platform based on his Christian Gospel-centered faith and values.

[129] Zalcman declined to run in the special election due to a shortened period to obtain the necessary signatures to qualify for the ballot.

[130] Zalcman did not file for this seat, leaving LaHood unopposed for the Republican nomination.