* Over the weekend, Sen. Robert Peters called out his opponents in the 2nd Congressional District for not being “clearly and directly” on the record about funding ICE and impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.…

This isn’t complicated. My opponents should be able to say clearly and directly where they stand when it comes to funding ICE and impeaching Kristi Noem.

The fact that they haven’t says it all. pic.twitter.com/f7fJ7i0NM3

— Robert Peters (@RobertJPeters) January 25, 2026

I reached out to a couple of campaigns to see where they stand. From a Sen. Willie Preston campaign spokesman…

The Preston campaign is focused on making a fresh start for the Southland, the South Side and Central Illinois: Building birthing centers, a Level 2 trauma hospital and trade schools so we can build the next generation of carpenters, plumbers and electricians.

Robert Peters calling for other candidates to follow him on any issue is performative bullsh*t, just like his failing campaign. And right now Peters is performing for Vermont socialists and his wealthy North Side base- not for anyone on the South Side or the Southland.

“Where was Peters’ outcry when the same Party insiders who appointed him to the Senate were trying to gerrymander Black voters out of the Second District? He was silent then because he wanted to be a good boy for his out-of-state, out-of-district establishment base.

“Willie Preston doesn’t wait for permission and was out marching for Laquan McDonald when Peters, Donna Miller, Brown and Jesse Jackson Jr. were nowhere to be found. Likewise, Sen. Preston held an emergency rally with South Side community leaders when the ICE raids began here while, again, Peters awaited for his orders from Logan Square and the North Shore. Frankly, it’s comical that Peters is calling out anyone on this issue at this late hour as he trails in the polls.”

[From Rich: Note that he didn’t say where his candidate stood.]

Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller’s campaign…

Yes, Donna Miller would call for ICE to be dismantled and for Kristi Noem to be impeached. Considering Miller is running for the seat U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly is vacating and she has filed impeachment papers against Noem, Miller would continue to support the effort that more than 100 representatives have signed on to as co-sponsors.

Noem is violating the public’s trust. She’s obstructing Congress from performing it’s oversight duties and she’s allowing ICE to commit crimes with impunity. No one is above the law and we cannot continue to fund lawlessness under the guise of deporting immigrants who are the worst of the worst.

Jesse Jackson Jr. in the Tribune…

[Former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.] made his remarks to more than 600 people as the keynote speaker at the annual Waukegan Township Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dreamers’ Breakfast on Monday in Gurnee, remembering King’s legacy on the national holiday created in 1983 to honor him.

Jackson was critical of President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts. He said they are based on the color of people’s skin and their country of origin, whether it be Mexico, Venezuela or elsewhere.

“There is no such thing as an illegal person. Everyone is part of society, each and every one of us,” Jackson said. “We like avocados. We like tacos. Where do they come from? Mexico.”

* Moving along, this is from WGLT…

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood on Sunday called the latest Minnesota shooting by federal immigration officers “deeply concerning” and said that he supports local and state law enforcement’s role in investigating what happened.

LaHood’s statement came in response to the fatal shooting of 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Trump administration officials immediately defended the action as self-defense while blaming the victim — in this case claiming he was a “domestic terrorist” intending to “massacre” officers. […]

“Exercising our First and Second Amendment rights is foundational to the American identity. Yesterday’s shooting in Minneapolis is deeply concerning and demands a comprehensive and transparent investigation with full cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement.

“I support the mission of our federal law enforcement officers and the critical role they play in keeping communities safe. However, with their authority, officers must be held to the highest professional and ethical standards to maintain public trust. Any use of force must be lawful, justified, and subject to full accountability.”

* The Daily Northwestern…

The Democratic Party of Evanston declined to endorse a candidate in the crowded race to represent Illinois’ 9th Congressional District on Sunday after no contender secured the two-thirds majority of dues-paying members required for the party’s backing.

Mayor Daniel Biss led the pack with 53% of the vote among members, followed by State Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) with 17%. Progressive content creator Kat Abughazaleh secured 10% of the vote.

In a statement to The Daily on Sunday, Biss wrote that he’s “humbled to have earned majority support among the candidates for Congress.” […]

The DPOE also declined to endorse candidates in races for Illinois Senate and U.S. Senate, but attorney Rachel Ruttenberg and Lieutenant Gov. Juliana Stratton received the most support in their respective races.

More from Evanston Now…

The party will not endorse for the role of 9th District State Central Committewoman, though, after candidates State Sen. Laura Fine, Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita and Chicago Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth failed to surpass the two-thirds threshold.

Morita led with 55%, results show, followed by Fine (34%) and Manaa-Hoppenworth (11%). […]

The DPOE did not reach consensus on the race for U.S. Senate, either, with Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton leading the field at 46%, followed by Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi at 32% and Rep. Robin Kelly at 16%.

Krishnamoorthi and Kelly both appeared Saturday to speak to party members as online voting remained open. Stratton did not.

* Juliana Stratton’s US Senate campaign…

Today, Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) announced his endorsement of Juliana Stratton in the Illinois United States Senate Democratic primary. Congressman García is the second House Democrat from Illinois to make an endorsement in this race, joining Congressman Danny Davis in endorsing Juliana’s campaign. Also endorsing Juliana’s campaign today are the Democratic Party of IL-04, 22nd Ward Independent Political Organization, 14th Ward Democratic Party, and key Latino leaders from across the Chicagoland area including: State Senator Javier Cervantes, State Senator Celina Villanueva, State Representative Edgar Gonzalez Jr., State Representative Norma Hernandez, State Representative Aaron Ortiz, Cook County Commissioner Alma Anaya, 22nd Ward Alderman and Committeeman Mike Rodriguez, 14th Ward Alderwoman Jeylú Gutiérrez, 40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez, Candidate for Congress Patty Garcia, Chicago Board of Education Member Yesenia Lopez, and 10th Police District Councilor Elianne Bahena.

“I’m proud to endorse Juliana Stratton for U.S. Senate. Juliana is the fighter we need to defend our communities from the Trump administration’s tyranny,” said Congressman Chuy García. “We need a senator who has the courage to stand up to ICE and defend the interests of all Illinoisans. Juliana has been a true champion for working families as lieutenant governor, and I know that she will make us proud in the United States Senate.”

“I know how important it is to have leaders who understand the struggles working families face and who fight every day for opportunity, dignity, and justice. In this Senate race, I’m proud to support a candidate who shares our values, listens to our communities, and has the courage to deliver real results for everyone,” said Senator Celina Villanueva. “I have worked side by side with Juliana in Springfield, and I look forward to seeing her continue our work in D.C.”

“This election is a critical opportunity to send a bold leader to the Senate, and it matters who we elect. Juliana will fight to abolish ICE, pass Medicare for All, and raise wages for all Illinoisans,” said Alderman Mike Rodriguez. “We need strong leadership in Washington, now more than ever. Illinois deserves a Senator who will meet this moment, and Juliana is that leader.”

Stratton has also been endorsed by Abundant Housing Illinois.

* Politico…

— U.S. Senate race: Raja Krishnamoorthi has been endorsed by the U.S. Hispanic Business Council.

— In IL-02: Robert Peters has been endorsed by Unite Here Local 1 in his bid for Congress. [..]

— In IL-07: Anthony Driver Jr. has been endorsed by the Mid-America Regional Council of Carpenters. […]

— In IL-09: Daniel Biss has been endorsed by Operating Engineers Local 150 and Unite Here Local 1 in his bid for Congress.

* More…

* Press Release | Congressional Candidate Mayra Macías Responds to Tragic Federal Shooting in Minneapolis: Mayra Macías, independent candidate for Illinois’s 4th Congressional District, issued a statement following the fatal shooting of a 51-year-old man by federal agents in Minneapolis. This latest tragedy occurs just weeks after the killing of Renee Nicole Good and amid a massive, controversial federal operation in the Twin Cities. […] “The time for incremental reform has passed; we must defund and dismantle ICE. Our Senators cannot, in good conscience, vote for any funding bill that gives this agency another penny. We must keep the pressure on our elected officials. We cannot, and will not, let this death be in vain.”

* Sun-Times | Sun-Times, WBEZ and UChicago to host first live-broadcast debate for Democratic Senate candidates: The Chicago Sun-Times, WBEZ and University of Chicago will quiz the top Democratic candidates vying for retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat Monday evening in a debate co-hosted by UChicago’s Institute of Politics and International House. It marks the first live-broadcast showdown of the front-running contenders in the marquee race of the state’s March 17 primary election: U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Illinois; U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois; and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.

* Press Release | Heading Into the First ILSEN Debate, Raja Krishnamoorthi Has Momentum At His Back: As Illinois voters tune in for the first U.S. Senate primary debate tonight, Raja Krishnamoorthi enters the stage as the dominant frontrunner with the momentum, coalition, and resources to win in just fifty days. Between his “commanding lead” in the polls, “broad coalition of supporters,” unmatched operation, and statewide recognition as the candidate fighting to lower costs for working families, Raja’s month of momentum will continue to propel him to success tonight.

* WGLT | McLean County Indian community feels ’seen and heard’ by U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi: The McLean County India Association [MCIA] hosted the event at Illinois State University. Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat, is the first South Asian American to lead a congressional committee. […] When asked about the pressure heaped upon South Asian immigrants to conform, Krishnamoorthi said he’s most sensitive to people in the room who are “othered” because he’s what he calls “a racial, ethnic, religious minority immigrant with 19 letters in my name.”

* Daily Herald | Why pro-Israel lobbying group has been targeted by progressive candidates: Ruzevich isn’t alone in this fight. Ninth District candidates Kat Abughazaleh of Chicago and Bushra Amiwala of Skokie and 10th District hopeful Morgan Coghill of Mundelein have gone after AIPAC in social media posts and other public statements. “When a representative is bought and paid for by AIPAC, they are telling you that they don’t care about your interests,” Abughazaleh, who is Palestinian American, said in a recent video. “They are prioritizing Israel’s.” AIPAC has fired volleys in this war of words, too. While backing Glenview’s Laura Fine in the 9th District, the group has sent emails labeling Abughazaleh “a direct threat to our mission and the future of Israel’s security.”

* Hyde Park Herald | Candidates for 2nd CD trade barbs in health care forum: Peters, Preston, Brown and Regis said they have not and would not accept corporate PAC contributions. Miller acknowledged receiving “one check” from a pharmaceutical company but said it does not influence her decisions. Jackson said he was unsure whether he had received corporate PAC money, adding that “where the money comes from is irrelevant, as long as you do for the district.” Peters responded sharply, calling Jackson’s claim “ridiculous.” “It’s ridiculous to come on this stage and to talk about an issue like this and not acknowledge the fact that someone spent $40,000 on a Rolex,” Peters said, referencing one of several luxury goods Jackson spent stolen campaign funds on.

* Evanston Now | Interview: Bushra Amiwala for U.S. House: Evanston Now reporter Matthew Eadie sat down with Skokie School Board member Bushra Amiwala last week to discuss her pitch to voters and where she stands on key issues ahead of the March 17 Democratic primary for Congress. The interview is Evanston Now’s third in a series with the top candidates ahead of early voting next month. Last week, we published interviews with Phil Andrew and State Sen. Mike Simmons.

* Evanston Now | Suffredin backs Fine in Congress race: Suffredin has been widely critical of Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, Fine’s top opponent in the congressional race, who has support from five other current City Council members, calling Biss’ veto of the city’s 1% grocery tax, which was unanimously overturned, an “irresponsible” decision. Suffredin also appeared to criticize Biss’ decision to run for Congress as the City Council discussed how Biss’ succession would work, if he were to win the March 17 primary.