Rise in Arab, Muslim candidates in Illinois elections may be reflected across US: Activists

The number of Arab and Muslim Americans running for office in Illinois has nearly quadrupled since 2021, with 34 candidates filing for local elections on April 1, Arab News reported. This increase is attributed to heightened community engagement following the Gaza war and rising anti-Arab racism and Islamophobia. Activists, including Ahmad Sows of the Arab American Democracy Coalition, emphasize the need for genuine representation in politics.

In 2021, only nine Arab and Muslim candidates filed for local offices across Cook, DuPage, and Will counties, where significant Arab and Muslim populations reside. The increase to 34 candidates in 2025 reflects a growing awareness and mobilization within these communities. Illinois is home to approximately 450,000 Arab Americans, making it one of the states with the largest Arab and Muslim populations in the U.S.

This trend is seen as indicative of similar movements in other states with large Arab and Muslim populations, such as California, New York, and New Jersey, where community members are increasingly motivated to seek political office to address their concerns.