Illinois’ 4th District consists of several communities within Chicago, is 100% urban, and is known as the “earmuff district” due to its contorted shape. It was created after courts ordered the creation of a majority Hispanic district in Chicago, and 71.8% of its residents are Hispanic. The median household income is $39,744, and 17.3% of adults have graduated from college.

The Democratic candidate is Jesus Garcia, who won the nomination after the district’s 26-year incumbent, Luis Gutierrez, announced he would not seek reelection. Gutierrez has not received less than 75% of the vote in any of his elections. The Republican candidate is Mark Wayne Lorch, who has not previously sought election. The district is reliably Democratic at the national level, and has given between 54% and 62% of the vote to Democratic presidential candidates over the past 20 years.