* Putting a dent in my inbox today. From Juliana Stratton…

Today members of the Illinois Asian American Caucus announced their support for Juliana Stratton’s campaign for United States Senate. In a letter, the elected officials cited Stratton’s commitment to codifying Asian American History into curriculum in Illinois schools and her long time support for the community as factors in their decision to endorse her as the next Senator to represent Illinois in Washington D.C.

“The leaders and officials from the Asian American community who have offered my campaign their support are people who I have worked alongside for years and whose perseverance, hard work, and respect for others are an inspiration to me– which makes their endorsement of my candidacy all the more meaningful,” said Juliana Stratton. “I pledge to fight for the needs and concerns of their community in the United States Senate and to never stop listening, learning, and growing in community with my partners in governance.”

The letter of support was signed by Cook County Board Commissioner Josina Morita, Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim, and Representative Jennifer Gong Gershowitz. This endorsement comes on the heels of several other significant endorsements for Stratton’s campaign. Prior endorsements include her partner in governance Governor JB Pritzker, United States Senator Tammy Duckworth, and Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun, the first Black woman to ever serve in the United States Senate.

* Laura Fine in CD9…

Just one week after launching her campaign for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, Laura Fine announced today that she has earned the endorsement of 12 more prominent Illinois Democratic leaders, a sign of continued momentum for the campaign.

“I’m so honored and grateful for the outpouring of support I’ve received my first week in this race,” Fine said. “I hear it from my neighbors, colleagues, and leaders across the state: This moment requires urgency, and they know that I’ll stand up to fight for them in Washington against Trump and the MAGA agenda. The energy is real, and we’re just getting started.”

Fine is proud to announce the backing of the following Democrats:

• Laura Ellman, State Senator, Illinois’ 21st District
• Gregg Johnson, State Representative, Illinois’ 72nd District
• Natalie Manley, State Representative, Illinois’ 98th District
• Marty Moylan, State Representative, Illinois’ 55th District
• Deb Conroy, DuPage County Board Chair
• Scott Britton, Cook County Commissioner, 14th District
• Nancy Rotering, Highland Park Mayor
• Shiva Mohsenzadeh, Northfield Supervisor
• Gail Schnitzer Eisenberg, New Trier Supervisor
• Atour Sargon, Lincolnwood Trustee
• Peter Braithwaite, Fmr. Evanston Alderman
• Debby Karton, Fmr. Glenview Trustee

These endorsers join the eight Illinois Democrats that endorsed Fine when she launched last week:

• Mary Edly-Allen, State Senator, Illinois’ 31st District
• Adriane Johnson, State Senator, Illinois’ 30th District
• Julie Morrison, State Senator, Illinois’ 29th District
• Laura Murphy, State Senator, Illinois’ 28th District
• Margaret Croke, State Representative, Illinois’ 12th District
• Tracy Katz Muhl, State Representative, Illinois’ 57th District
• Sandy Hart, Lake County Board President
• Jeff Schoenberg, Fmr. Assistant Senate Majority Leader & Evanston Democratic Committeeperson

* Daniel Biss in CD9…

Today, Daniel Biss announced his campaign for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. Biss, a longtime community leader, state legislator, and now mayor of Evanston, is entering the race not just to fight for progressive values, but to deliver real results to cut costs, protect basic rights, and stop Donald Trump. Click here to watch Daniel Biss’ announcement video.

“I am running for Congress to stand up to Donald Trump and his MAGA cronies. I’ve never backed down from a fight, and I’ve won some big ones—on LGBTQ+ rights, campaign finance reform, protecting abortion access, defending the environment, and more,” said Daniel Biss. “In Congress, I’ll take on billionaires and corporate power, lower costs for working families, and fight tooth and nail to protect our civil rights.”

“Trump and Elon Musk are looting the government and throwing the economy into chaos so they can line their own pockets while driving up costs for the rest of us. Meanwhile, MAGA extremists are ignoring the Constitution, disappearing people into foreign prisons, and slashing Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Enough is enough,” said Biss. “I have taken on and beaten big corporations and powerful interests, and I’m not afraid to stand up to anyone who threatens our public services, our civil liberties, or our democracy. No more backing down before the fight even starts, and no more obeying in advance.”

As mayor of the City of Evanston, Biss enacted campaign finance reform and passed a first-in-the-state Healthy Buildings Ordinance to curb carbon emissions. He has taken on MAGA extremists on preserving access to abortion, expanding mental health services, immigration, and more. Biss previously served in the Illinois House and State Senate, passing major abortion rights legislation, enacting protections for LGBTQ+ youth, providing retirement savings options to Illinoisans who otherwise wouldn’t have access, and strengthening technology privacy requirements to protect civil liberties.

Biss grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, and moved to Chicago to join the University of Chicago’s mathematics faculty after completing his bachelor’s degree at Harvard University and his Ph.D. in mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His wife, Karin, is a former Peace Corps volunteer and a professor at National Louis University. They live in Evanston with their two children, Arya and Sparrow.

The 9th Congressional District is currently represented by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, who recently announced she would not run for reelection.

* Robert Peters in CD2…

Leaders We Deserve, the grassroots organization founded by David Hogg and Kevin Lata to elect young progressives across the country and defeat the far-right agenda, endorsed State Sen. Robert Peters (D-13) in the open race for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District on Thursday. Peters, who chairs the Senate Labor Committee, and previously, the Senate Black Caucus, marks the organization’s first endorsement of the 2026 campaign cycle.

“Senator Peters is a shining example of the type of bold, progressive leadership that our country, and our party, desperately needs at this moment,” said Leaders We Deserve’s President and Co-Founder, David Hogg. “He’s been a guiding light for Illinois Democrats on critical issues, including expanding workplace protections and access to SNAP benefits, investing hundreds of millions into violence prevention and leading on criminal justice reform, and launching preventative care efforts to address homelessness and unemployment. Leaders We Deserve is fired up to help get him into the halls of Congress to continue to deliver for Illinois families.”

“I’m humbled to receive the support of Leaders We Deserve, an organization that’s at the forefront of the fight to galvanize Democrats to effectively take on Donald Trump’s corruption and incompetence,” said State Senator Robert Peters. “We need Democrats who are willing to fight like hell for their communities—and that’s exactly what I’ll do when I’m in Congress. I’m honored to be able to partner with Leaders We Deserve as we work to get there.”

Leaders We Deserve’s endorsement comes on the heels of a successful grassroots launch week for Peters’ campaign, which has also been endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT). The Illinois primary election is March 17, 2026.

* Also in the 2nd District…

Today marks a turning point in Illinois politics as Southside resident and community leader Adal Regis officially announces his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives, seeking to represent Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District, a seat currently held by Congresswoman Robin Kelly.

Adal Regis enters the race with a clear and urgent message: It’s time to put people first.

Having lived in the heart of Chicago’s Southside, Regis is no stranger to the struggles working families face, from rising housing costs to safety concerns and a lack of access to sustainable, good-paying jobs. Additionally, he understands that the proposed federal budget threatens essential programs like Medicaid, Social Security, and SNAP—lifelines for many families in IL-02. These cuts would deepen economic hardship, fuel instability, and, in turn, contribute to rising crime, making it even harder for struggling communities to recover.

His campaign is rooted in the belief that every family, whether they live in urban, suburban, and rural communities, deserves the opportunity to thrive.

“Many people are suffering under today’s economy and divisive policies. Our communities deserve more than promises, they deserve real progress and the opportunity to thrive beyond their circumstances,” said Regis. “We need affordable housing, trustworthy policing, a healthier environment, and targeted economic development that creates jobs—not just to pay the bills, but to build lasting futures. I’m running for Illinois’ Second Congressional District because I believe in empowering people and communities to excel, and it’s time our government did too.”

Regis is a passionate public servant, strategic leader, and proud Chicago South Side resident. He currently serves as Director of Strategy at Elevate, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Chicago working to ensure communities impacted by environmental injustice have access to clean, affordable energy, water, heating, and cooling. His work focuses on delivering clean energy solutions, climate equity and resilience to neighborhoods that have been historically left behind.

Regis brings deep experience and integrity to the race. Before joining Elevate, Regis served as a District Representative and Grant Specialist for Congresswoman Robin Kelly, where he helped secure millions in federal funding for municipalities, small businesses, and community organizations across the district. He also previously worked for former New York Congresswoman Nita Lowey (NY-17), former Chair of the Appropriations Committee, gaining valuable experience in federal policymaking, federal grants and constituent advocacy. He also has collaborated with the Chicago Police Department as a member of its Community Policing Advisory Panel, served alongside leaders at Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and is a member of Governor Pritzker’s Task Force on Black Immigrants. His campaign is not just about policies, it’s about lived experience, public service, and a steadfast commitment to building equity for all. He knows how to navigate complex government systems and deliver real results for communities.

The people of Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District are ready for a fresh, unifying voice in Washington, someone who sees them, hears them, and is ready to act. From rebuilding trust in public safety to revitalizing and investing communities from the South Side of Chicago, to our rural areas, and uplifting working families across the district, the time for bold, people-first solutions is now. That leader is Adal Regis.

* Tribune on CD2…

Matteson Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin and Yumeka Brown, the three-term village clerk of Matteson and a commissioner on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board, have both formed exploratory committees to run for Kelly’s seat. And two-term Democratic Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller also said she was weighing whether to enter the race.

* Tribune on CD8…

Another announced candidate for the 8th District seat is Sanjyot Dunung, a small business owner who bills herself as “the change candidate.”

“People are tired of career politicians who fail to deliver meaningful results,” she said in her announcement. “As the candidate for change, I will deliver fresh, responsible ideas to tackle economic chaos and uncertainty.” […]

On Wednesday, Yasmeen Bankole, a former staffer for Durbin and Krishnamoorthi, entered the contest.

A native of Hanover Park, in 2021 Bankole became the first Nigerian American elected in Illinois when she won her race for Hanover Park village trustee.

Discuss.