* [From Rich] I asked the Laura Fine congressional campaign today about an unusual post on Fine’s website…

OK, right off the bat I’ll tell you that this all came from a rival campaign.

According to archive.org, your campaign updated its Redbox Thu, 22 Jan 2026 01:19:55 GMT (7:19 pm Central Time) with a couple of oppo bits on Biss. https://web.archive.org/web/20260122011955/https://www.laurafineforcongress.org/media

That oppo is now gone: https://www.laurafineforcongress.org/media

Seems odd to me. People who wanted access to that info would almost have to know when to look at the site, and this isn’t supposed to be coordinated.

The campaign’s response…

Campaigns are adjusting their websites with relevant information throughout the election cycle as the political environment evolves. Just ask 314 Action as they flood the district with mail pieces.

314 Action is supporting Daniel Biss.

So, I followed up because something being on a website for a handful of hours and then suddenly disappearing seemed weird…

So you deny that you were coordinating with any groups on this? The timing just looks so odd.

The response…

That’s right.

- Rich Miller

* Evanston Now…

Sources tell Evanston Now that AIPAC is preparing to enter the [9th Congressional District] race in the coming weeks with independent expenditures of its own. A second source with knowledge of AIPAC’s spending plans said the group will run ads, likely through its super PACs, both in favor of Fine and against Biss and Kat Abughazaleh. 

AIPAC describes itself as a pro-Israel lobbying group, although the group is notorious for funding ads that often have nothing to do with Israel or Israel-Palestine relations. 
The group has quietly supported Fine since the late summer, driving hundreds of thousands of dollars in fundraising through emails and private fundraisers, although Fine’s campaign has publicly denied that she has the group’s backing.

* Politico…

State Rep. Hoan Huynh is the stealth candidate in the crowded [9th] Democratic primary. He’s reshuffled his campaign team, adding campaign veterans Kevin Lampe and Kitty Kurth. And though Huynh hasn’t been on the debate stage or in joint appearances, he’s been spotted knocking on doors. Those who followed Huynh remember he knocked on doors on every street in his state House district some years ago.

While his door-to-door campaign was key to winning his state House seat, a congressional district is way too big for a candidate to cover alone. He wasn’t in Springfield today or yesterday, so maybe he’s out hitting doors up north.

* Meanwhile, Kat is still in California…

To clear up confusion because I've seen a bunch: Both events she missed this week were slated to be virtual, including the Indivisible Edgewater event from last night

But her campaign has been quiet on why she was in LA in the first place. It appears this may be why

— Matthew Eadie (@mattheweadie22) January 22, 2026

* Over in the 8th CD, US Rep. Jan Schakowsky endorses Kevin Morrison. Press Release…

Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky endorsed Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison in his bid for Congress in Illinois’ open 8th district. This is only the Congresswoman’s second Congressional endorsement since she announced her retirement. Schakowsky said, “While Donald Trump continues to attack our rights, we need leaders like Kevin who will stand up for what’s right and deliver real results for all of us. I’m proud to endorse Kevin Morrison for Congress.”

The longtime and esteemed Congresswoman putting her weight behind Morrison marks a significant turning point in the race, and is the latest in a string of endorsements for Morrison, who has secured the support of over 180 elected officials and community leaders, which now includes three members of the Illinois Congressional delegation - the most endorsements of any candidate vying for an open congressional seat across Illinois.

* More endorsements from Politico…

— In IL-09: State Sen. Mike Simmons has been endorsed by Indivisible Niles Maine Township in his bid for Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky’s seat. […]

— In IL-07: Anthony Driver Jr., a labor leader and candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 7th Congressional District, has been endorsed by Congresswoman Delia Ramirez of IL-03.

— In IL-02: State Sen. Willie Preston has been endorsed by Chicago Ald. Anthony Beale, whose ward is located in the 2nd congressional district.

* More…

* WBEZ | What to know about U.S. Senate candidates’ debate: The Chicago Sun-Times, WBEZ and the University of Chicago Institute of Politics are hosting a debate with the three leading Democratic candidates in the March 17 primary for the open U.S. Senate seat to replace outgoing Sen. Dick Durbin. The debate will be Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. at the University of Chicago’s International House.

* Daily Herald | Another 9th Congressional District candidate turns to TV: The 30-second ad from Wilmette resident and former FBI agent Phil Andrew is called “Crisis-Tested.” Starting with video of Andrew speaking directly to viewers, it highlights his professional and personal leadership during emergencies as well as his activism against gun violence. The former FBI counterterrorism expert and hostage negotiator was among the people shot by Laurie Dann in 1988; Dann’s North Shore crime spree included a deadly school shooting, poisonings at Northwestern University and a confrontation with police at the Andrew home that ended with Dann’s suicide.

* Daily Herald | Davis, Rice try to differentiate themselves at debate in 8th Congressional District GOP primary: Rice questioned any “America First” credentials Davis might claim as the GOP candidate after she spoke of hiring workers in India for her company, something he said he’d never do. “Am I missing something?” Rice asked. “Help me understand how that isn’t hiring foreign workers?” Davis responded that many American companies use foreign resources, including the energy Rice buys and sells.