* Not at all unexpected. Politico…

Jesse Jackson Jr., once a rising Democratic star who saw his congressional career unravel in scandal, is returning to the political stage. He will announce his bid this week for the same Illinois congressional seat he vacated over a decade ago.

“Jesse has been meeting with residents whose concerns about the economy convinced him to run,” according to a person close to his campaign granted anonymity to speak freely. “He feels the district needs results fast and he is uniquely qualified to deliver.”

Jackson will spend the coming weeks unveiling his economic plan and policy platforms to address the cost of living, joblessness and health care access, according to the person. […]

Still, his path may not be smooth. Jackson’s opponents include notable Democrats in the state, including state Sen. Robert Peters, who’s been endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and David Hogg’s political group. Also running are state Sen. Willie Preston, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, Water Reclamation Board Commissioner Yumeka Brown, management consultant Eric France, policy expert Adal Regis and community engagement expert Jeremy Young.

* Yesterday, House Speaker Chris Welch endorsed La Shawn Ford for the 7th Congressional District. Press release…

Illinois Speaker of the House Emanuel “Chris” Welch will officially endorse State Representative La Shawn K. Ford for Congress in Illinois’ 7th District. Congressman Danny K. Davis will join Speaker Welch and Ford for this important announcement.

He will be joined by Congressman Danny K. Davis, community leaders, seniors, and veterans at a Veterans Memorial Garden to highlight the devastating local consequences of a federal government shutdown — especially for veterans, seniors, and working families who rely on critical federal programs and services.

WHEN:
Sunday, October 5, 2025, 10:00 a.m.

* In the 8th CD, Dan Tully’s campaign says it’s raised $635,000 since launching. From an email to supporters…

I want you to be the first to have our status report in this campaign’s mission to defend the rule of law and take our country back. Since the start of this race, we’ve raised $635,000 because of hundreds of donors like you who believe in making a difference.

I’m deeply grateful for your help in gathering the resources to get our message out to voters, but the work isn’t over yet.

Donald Trump plans to use cities like Chicago as military “training grounds.” House Republicans want to cut crucial healthcare benefits and leave millions without health insurance. The rule of law is under grave threat.

The way to fight back is by an overwhelming victory at the ballot box. You will be hearing more from me over the next six months so that we can raise the resources to send Trump and the MAGA Republicans a message: we will never give up on America.

* Politico…

Senate race: Raja Krishnamoorthi has been endorsed by Madison County Democratic Party Chair Andrew Asadorian in his bid for the U.S. Senate, according to his campaign. […]

In IL-09: Mike Simmons is being endorsed by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 241 in his bid for the 9th congressional district open seat.

* Tribune…

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s bid for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate received the endorsement Friday of EMILYs List, a group that plays a major role in the party’s political infrastructure by backing women candidates who support abortion rights.

The endorsement of Stratton was the group’s first involving 2026 U.S. Senate candidates nationally and also marks a departure for the organization, which traditionally does not make a choice in primaries featuring multiple women candidates backing abortion. […]

A dozen members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including its chair, U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke of New York, joined other [Robin Kelly] allies in writing a letter to EMILYs List expressing “profound concern” over the group’s action. Clarke had endorsed Kelly in May, and several caucus members had been lobbying the group to stay neutral in the race.

“We are dismayed that in a time of crisis and chaos in our country, EMILY’s List would choose to divide Democrats rather than celebrate two Black women running to make history again in Illinois and the U.S. Senate,” the letter said.

The full letter…

Dear EMILYs List Leadership,

We write to express our profound concern with EMILYs List’s decision to endorse a candidate in the Democratic primary race for the U.S. Senate in Illinois.

As local leaders as well as women elected to represent voters across the nation, we are shocked EMILYs List would find it fair and appropriate to weigh in on a race with two Democratic women candidates vying for the seat. We’re disappointed EMILYs List is endorsing in a Democratic primary instead of investing time and energy into supporting women in battleground districts who could help us take back the House and Senate majority.

Some of us placed calls to your organization requesting you remain neutral because making an endorsement unevenly and unfairly tips the scale in a highly contested race.

Furthermore, we worry it could have a chilling effect on other women considering mounting similar campaigns for public office. We were told EMILY’s List wouldn’t make an endorsement, but it seems we were misled.

Two qualified Black women are vying for this seat: Congresswoman Robin Kelly, a pro-choice Democrat who served on the Board of Planned Parenthood in Peoria, Illinois and who has a long career of public service — including more than 12 years in Congress and her national profile on gun violence prevention legislation, maternal health initiatives, and standing up to special interests. And Juliana Stratton, a pro-choice Democrat, former state representative, lawyer and JB Pritzker’s lieutenant governor.

We are dismayed that in a time of crisis and chaos in our country, EMILYs List would choose to divide Democrats rather than celebrate two Black women running to make history again in Illinois and the U.S. Senate. We’re interested in understanding the process you used to make this decision.

It is hard for us to believe this endorsement is anything other than money and influence winning again in politics. We should allow voters and grassroots supporters to have their say. We cannot let billionaire backing or political gamesmanship strip away from EMILYs List’s long record of fairly and thoughtfully lifting up qualified women for higher office.

We firmly believe women should support other women running for public office, and we believed EMILYs List did too. We are extremely disappointed you chose otherwise.

Sincerely,

- Congresswoman Janelle Bynum
- Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke
- Former Congresswoman Val Demings
- Congresswoman Lois Frankel
- Congresswoman Jahana Hayes
- Congresswoman Ilhan Omar
- Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman
- Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove
- Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot
- Congresswoman Lucy McBath
- Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan
- Congresswoman LaMonica McIver
- Former Congresswoman Marie Newman
- Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley
- Congresswoman Terri Sewell
- Honorable Sandra Slayton
- Erin Slone, Park Forest Village Trustee
- Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland
- Laurie Summers, Will County Coroner
- Camiella Williams, community activist

* More…

* The Intelligencer | Full interview with Senate candidate Robin Kelly

* The Hill | EMILY’s List backs Illinois Lt. Gov. Stratton in race to succeed Durbin: A senior Black Democratic strategist told NBC News the PAC endorsed Stratton over Kelly due to her proven statewide reputation after serving in the Illinois House of Representatives and becoming the first Black woman to be elected as lieutenant governor. A win by Stratton or Kelly would follow in the footsteps of former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun (D-Ill.), who was the first Black woman elected to the upper chamber. And with Sens. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), three Black women would be concurrently serving in the Senate.

* Evanston RoundTable | Congressional candidates line up at Edgewater forum: Eleven of the 15 active Democratic candidates were present, with absences from state Sen. Laura Fine (9th District), 50th Ward Committeeman Bruce Leon, Army veteran Sam Polan and economist Jeff Cohen. Republican Mark Su also attended, and the race’s other Republican candidate, Rocío Cleveland, was listed as participating but did not appear at the event.