When do polls close in Illinois?

Polling places are open 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and everyone in line at 7:00 p.m. must be allowed to vote (Illinois State Board of Elections; 10 ILCS 5/17-1). Mail ballots sent through the Postal Service count if postmarked on or before Nov. 3 and received by the local election authority by Nov. 17: a postmark rule with a two-week grace period. Drop boxes, where offered, take ballots until polls close at 7 p.m. Unofficial election-night results are posted by local election authorities, not the State Board.