* Evanston Now’s Matthew Eadie reports on AIPAC’s effort to push Bruce Leon out of the 9th Congressional District race and endorse Laura Fine…

The American Israel Political Action Committee, commonly known as AIPAC, is quietly working to push Chicago’s 50th Ward Democratic Committeeman Bruce Leon to drop his bid for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District and throw his support behind State Sen. Laura Fine, sources with knowledge of the effort tell Evanston Now.

The effort drew AIPAC’s national deputy political director, Ed Miller, to Chicago on Dec. 11 for a private meeting with leaders in the Agudath Israel of Illinois, an important social service and advocacy nonprofit in the Orthodox Jewish community, to present information about AIPAC’s view of the contest, which included internal polling that suggests Leon does not have a path to victory in March. […]

[A Kat Abughazaleh] or [Daniel Biss] victory, AIPAC leaders warned, could be the lead domino in the 2026 midterms of victories for more progressive Democrats who’ve expressed criticism of the Israeli government. Illinois’ primary on March 17 is one of the first in the country. […]

Leon is a longtime supporter of AIPAC and a leader in Chicago’s Orthodox Jewish community and is resisting the pressure, confirming his knowledge of the lobbying group’s effort in a phone call, saying he’s “not going to be pressured” to drop out of the race, even by an organization he’s supported for years.

* Eadie’s been doing great work on the 9th Congressional race and puts out a weekly race wrap-up…

Kat Abughazaleh brought on Katherine Thames as her new campaign manager last month, moving her former campaign manager, Sam Weinberg, to a “senior advisor” role. […]

Thames was a former Chief of Staff for Virginia State Sen. Stella Pekarsky and started with Abughazaleh’s campaign in mid-November.

Abughazaleh also hired a new press secretary, Ramiro Sarmiento, who started at the beginning of December. Sarmiento is a former communications director for Run for Something and was previously a staffer for former Kansas City Mayor Sly James. […]

Last month, State Sen. Laura Fine’s campaign posted two new jobs: a regional organizing director and a field organizer. Fine‘s campaign also posted a job Friday morning, looking to bring on a digital fellow.

*** UPDATE *** Former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is backing Melissa Bean in the 8th CD race. Press release…

Today, former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White endorsed Melissa Bean in the race for Illinois’ 8th Congressional District seat.

Statement from Former Secretary of State Jesse White:

“Melissa Bean has delivered real results for the people of Illinois – making health care more affordable and accessible for millions and putting working families first. She represents the proven expertise and tested leadership that Illinoisans are looking for. I am confident she will spend day and night working to improve lives for the people of the 8th District, and I am proud to endorse her campaign for Congress.”

Statement from Melissa Bean:
“I am so grateful to have the endorsement of Secretary Jesse White, a political giant and a dedicated public servant. Jesse is a stalwart of the Democratic Party who has been an inspiration to me and to so many others across Illinois, and he has embodied the kind of servant leadership we should each strive toward every single day. I’m honored to have his trust as I work to bring progress back to Washington.”

End of update.

* Press release…

Today, the Trump administration proposed two federal rules that could slash funding and potentially ban medically necessary health care for transgender teens. The move follows a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday that would criminalize health care for transgender young people.

Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 9th District and father of two children receiving gender affirming care, released the following statement:

“As a parent of transgender children, today’s announcement from the Trump administration and yesterday’s vote in the U.S. House are terrifying and infuriating. Health care should be guided by doctors and families who know these young people best, not Donald Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and their extremist MAGA allies in Congress. These attacks on critical health care harm teens and send a cruel message that their lives don’t matter.

“If finalized, these rules would devastate families, force impossible choices, and drive providers away from caring for vulnerable youth. But it’s important to be clear: these federal rules are not yet law, and advocates will continue fighting these attacks in the rulemaking process and in court. Access to care has not ended, and protections against discrimination remain. In Illinois, our children can still receive the care they need, and providers can continue to offer it.

“While millions of families worry about rising health care costs caused by congressional inaction, the Trump Administration is choosing to focus its energy on attacking vulnerable teens and the parents doing everything they can to protect them. As an elected leader and a parent, I will keep fighting for my kids and for every transgender young person who deserves care, dignity, and a better future.”

* Margaret Croke for Comptroller…

Today, State Representative Margaret Croke announced endorsements from a growing coalition of Rock Island County-area leaders in her campaign for Illinois State Comptroller, building on her support across western Illinois and downstate communities. The endorsements include:

- Former Illinois Supreme Court Justice Tom Kilbride;
- State Representative Gregg Johnson;
- City of Rock Island Mayor Ashley Harris;
- Former Rock Island County Democratic - - Party Chairman Doug House;
- Rock Island County Board Chairman Richard “Quijas” Brunk;
- Rock Island County Board Member Larry Burns;
- Rock Island County Board Vice Chairman Brian Vyncke;
- Rock Island County Board Member Dave Adams;
- Rock Island County Board Member Carla Enburg;
- Rock Island County Board Member Tim Foster;
- Rock Island County Board Member Luis Moreno;
- Rock Island County Board Member Melissa Moreno Baker;
- Rock Island County Board Member Bob Perkins;
- Rock Island County Board Member Edna Sowards;
- Rock Island County Board Member Kai Swanson;
- Rock Island County Board Member Johnnie Woods;
- Rock Island County Board Member and Blackhawk Township Supervisor Chuck Layer;
- South Rock Island Township Trustee Bill Sowards.

* Comptroller candidate Holly Kim announced an endorsement from Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara earlier this week…

Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara announced his endorsement of Holly Kim for Illinois State Comptroller, highlighting her commitment to local communities and her proven track record of fiscal responsibility and dedication to understanding the challenges facing hardworking people.

“Rockford has been a city of resilience and progress, and Holly Kim is a candidate who will bring that same dedication and accountability to the Office of the Comptroller,” said McNamara. “I am proud to endorse a fiscal watchdog who cares deeply about helping people. Holly Kim is the best choice for Illinois.”

Mayor McNamara first met Kim in 2018 and she later toured the Hard Rock Casino project with him when it was being built. “Holly was the only candidate who showed up in Rockford before she was running for anything,” said Mayor McNamara. “Her willingness to engage with our city and listen to our people is exactly the kind of leader Illinois needs in the Comptroller’s office.”

* Playbook…

Senate race: Raja Krishnamoorthi has been endorsed by former Illinois House Majority Leader Jim McPike and Animal Wellness Action, a leading animal rights group. […]

In IL-07: Reed Showalter has been endorsed by former Assistant Attorney for Antitrust at the Department of Justice Jonathan Kanter.

State House 13th District: Democratic contenders are actively consolidating support as they compete for endorsements and aim to expand their voter base. Recent developments include: Demi Palecek securing the backing of David Hogg’s Leaders We Deserve organization, James O’Brien earning endorsements from the Illinois Education Association and Run for Something, Adam Braun receiving the endorsement of the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois and Sunjay Kumar being endorsed by ONE People’s Campaign.

* The Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC has endorsed Junaid Ahmed for the 8th CD…

The Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC (CPC PAC) announced its endorsement of Junaid Ahmed in Illinois’ 8th Congressional District. The endorsement follows Justice Democrats endorsing Junaid on Thursday and cements progressive support for Junaid’s campaign.

“Junaid Ahmed is a progressive leader and small business owner who has organized in his community for decades and launched a nonprofit at the start of the COVID crisis to deliver hot meals and supplies directly to those in need,” said CPC PAC Co-Chairs Pramila Jayapal and Maxwell Frost. “Now, Junaid is running for Congress to fix our broken political system and is rejecting corporate PAC money. He will be a champion to raise the minimum wage to a living wage, bring health care costs down by supporting Medicare for All, increase public school funding, and make community college free and higher education affordable for all of our families. Junaid’s progressive values and lifetime of service in his community make him a fantastic candidate and we are proud to support his campaign.”

* More…

* WGLT | Sorensen reflects on his year in Congress — with some legislative wins and health care at a standstill: On his final day in Washington for 2025, U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen is taking a victory lap after what he describes as a difficult, but productive year at the Capitol — and at home. “This has been a very, very hard year for so many neighbors in our district,” Sorensen said at a news conference on Thursday. “Families are feeling incredible amounts of pressure.” Sorensen, whose 17th Congressional District includes parts of Bloomington-Normal, said cost of living is the primary concern he hears from constituents, including escalating health care costs, grocery and utility bills.

* Lit Hub | Congressional Candidate Kat Abughazaleh on Parable of the Sower, and Her Love of Sci-Fi: The other day she posted on Bluesky that if she wins her race, she wants to be sworn in on a copy of Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower. Abughazaleh, I found out, is a big reader and a huge fan of sci-fi. “I say it like three times a week: I think the best thing that humans have ever created on this planet is stories, that’s why I read so much fiction,” she told me earlier this week, “I think the most beautiful thing that we’ve created, and the thing that’s lasted the longest, and the thing that’s helped us the most is stories.”

* Sun-Times | Durbin, Duckworth seek criminal probe of Chicago’s immigration blitz — even after Trump leaves office: U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth on Thursday submitted a criminal referral to the Justice Department over alleged constitutional violations — including warrantless arrests and the use of excessive force — by federal immigration agents during Operation Midway Blitz. They’re fully aware that President Donald Trump’s appointed attorney general, Pam Bondi, is unlikely to act on their request. But speaking on the Senate floor Thursday morning, Durbin noted, “The statute of limitations for these provisions is five years.”