* Federal candidates had until Saturday night to file their fourth-quarter 2025 paperwork. Evanston Now’s Matthew Eadie on the numbers out of the 9th Congressional District…
A barrage of out-of-state donors supercharged State Sen. Laura Fine’s congressional campaign in the final quarter of 2025, giving the Glenview legislator more money in the bank entering 2026 than any of her competitors.
Financial disclosures filed Saturday night show that out-of-state support accounted for over 90% of the $1.26 million Fine raised in the final three months of 2025. […]
Biss reported raising about $658,000 in the final three months of the year, entering 2026 with just over $1.37 million in his war chest. His contributions last quarter came largely from inside Illinois, over 70%, according to an Evanston Now analysis of his donors. […]
In a statement, Fine’s campaign sidestepped questions about her out-of-state donors, instead suggesting Biss’ end-of-year fundraising shows he “struggles to raise money.”
“He is relying on hundreds of thousands of dollars in out-of-state money from independent expenditures to highlight a barely-there record that he keeps changing,” a spokesperson from Fine’s campaign told Evanston Now, saying her campaign is gaining momentum, citing her list of local endorsements.
* The Biss campaign’s response to Sen. Fine’s fundraising haul…
Recently released campaign finance reports show that state Sen. Laura Fine’s congressional campaign raised more money in the fourth quarter of 2025 from donors who previously gave to Donald Trump ($53,350) than from donors living in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District ($32,795). Since launching her campaign, Fine has taken in nearly $60,000 from Trump donors, who have collectively given more than $200,000 to Trump’s political committees (link).
“Laura Fine’s fundraising tells you everything you need to know about whose side she’s on,” said Biss for Congress Campaign Manager George Lundgren. “Fine raised more money from donors who backed Donald Trump than from people who actually live in the 9th District last quarter, and those same donors have poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into Trump’s political operation. With Chicagoland and our democracy under attack, voters deserve a representative who will fight for us, not for Trump donors looking for another ally in Washington.”
* Sen. Mike Simmons also took a swing at Sen. Fine…
New Federal Election Commission reports show that Laura Fine’s congressional campaign is being funded by some of the country’s most prolific Republican megadonors. These major donors to Fine’s campaign are some of the country’s largest donors to Senator Ted Cruz, Republican Speaker Mike Johnson, the Republican National Committee, National Republican Congressional Committee, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
“There will always be powerful interests trying to buy elections,” Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons said. “The real question is who is willing to take their money. I’m running because our communities deserve representation that answers to voters, not Republican donors or special interest groups. You can’t take on Republicans if they are the ones funding your campaign. Neighborhoods like the one I grew up in are never going to see real progress if we elect Democrats who accept contributions from Republican megadonors.”
This latest FEC report comes after Matthew Eadie’s article in Evanston Now detailed how AIPAC has been soliciting donations from across the country to support Fine’s campaign. The conservative special interest group has been backing candidates nationally that refuse to condemn Benjamin Netanyahu and have called for continued unconditional military aid to Israel. The Intercept reported that Fine even had a private fundraiser in Los Angeles hosted by AIPAC Board President Michael Tuchin.
Simmons has built his campaign around rejecting corporate PAC and AIPAC money and fighting for working families, immigrants, and communities too often ignored by politicians funded by wealthy insiders.
“This race presents a choice,” Simmons added. “You can have a candidate supported by Republican megadonors and special interests, or you can have someone who is accountable to the people who live here.”
* More fundraising numbers from the Daily Northwestern…
Abughazaleh reported a yearly total of $2.7 million, Biss raised $1.98 million and Fine raised $1.92 million, while Andrew collected $1.21 million and Huynh’s haul totaled just over $1 million. […]
According to FEC filings, Fine ended the year with the most cash on hand, with over $1.43 million — just ahead of Biss’ $1.37 million, followed by Andrew with $961,000, Abughazaleh with $810,000 and Huynh with $737,000. […]
In a statement to The Daily, a spokesperson from Amiwala’s campaign wrote she had completed her 270th meet and greet in the district and has one of the “strongest in-district donor bases and grassroots operations.”
“We’ve been thoughtful and responsible with every dollar because this is a people-powered campaign, backed by neighbors across IL-09,” the spokesperson wrote.
* In the 7th CD, Melissa Conyears-Ervin reported raising $112,000…
The Melissa Conyears-Ervin for Congress campaign for the 7th Congressional District kicked into high gear at the start of 2026 with a strong cash position of $215,000 on hand and an announcement she raised $112,000 in the first four weeks of the year.
Now, her campaign announced the addition of a new member of her growing coalition: the proud professionals of the Chicago Teachers Union. Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin released a statement at the beginning of Black History month about the final six week stretch of the campaign.
* In the 2nd CD, Sen. Robert Peters goes after Donna Miller. Press release…
The vast majority of the funds Donna Miller raised for her congressional campaign in Illinois’ 2nd District in the fourth quarter of 2025 came from donors who have a history of giving to Donald Trump or the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), according to her quarterly filing with the Federal Election Commission posted Saturday night.
Miller, a Cook County Commissioner, reported raising $39,000.00 from Trump donors in the fourth quarter. A full listing of those donors is available here.
She also reported raising at least $875,350.92 in the fourth quarter (83% of her total) from donors who have given to AIPAC or its affiliated super PAC, the United Democracy Project, since 2023. A full listing of those donors is available here.
This represents a massive spike in fundraising for Miller, who prior to this quarter, had reported raising only $242.494.02. During the previous quarter, Miller reported only $250 from a single Trump donor, and $750 from a single AIPAC donor.
“Donna Miller should be honest with the voters of the 2nd Congressional District about who is funding her campaign–and why,” said Robert Peters campaign manager Matthew Fisch. “Right wing forces have apparently decided that Donna Miller is their best investment in this race. That should be a red flag for every voter as Trump wreaks havoc on our communities.”
State Sen. Robert Peters has raised $903,000 from more than 30,000 individual grassroots donors overall since entering the race in May 2025. He is supported by Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Delia Ramirez, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC and more.
* On Friday, 2nd CD candidate Jesse Jackson Jr. claimed a fire destroyed campaign paraphernalia…
Jackson’s opponent Sen. Willie Preston called for an investigation into his claim. Press release…
Illinois Sen. Willie Preston called for a full investigation late Saturday after fellow 2nd District Congressional candidate Jesse Jackson Jr. made claims that a Joliet printing plant explosion destroyed Jackson yard signs, mail and other materials.
The Joliet explosion at Union Signs occurred Thursday.
Yesterday, Jesse Jackson Jr., the former representative who was jailed for stealing campaign funds, claimed on Instagram that several of his signs and other campaign materials were “casualties” of the explosion.
Preston, chair of the Illinois Senate Black Legislative Caucus, is calling on state and federal authorities to investigate the Jackson explosion claims to ensure no broader wrongdoing.
* More…
* Press Release | National committee to preserve social security and Medicare endorses Melissa Bean for congress: Today, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare PAC (NCPSSM-PAC) endorsed Melissa Bean in the race for Illinois’ 8th Congressional District seat. […] “Our nation needs Melissa’s leadership, vision and determination to fight for working families and older Americans. We are proud to support her campaign because we know that she understands and supports the critical roles that Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid play in the retirement and health security of our nation’s older citizens and their families. Melissa is well-prepared to serve the needs of seniors and will make the preservation and improvement of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid a priority in Congress.”
* Daily Herald | Candidate’s supporters come together to knit, crochet for people in need: People filled Democratic 9th District hopeful Kat Abughazaleh’s office in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood to knit and crochet hats, gloves and scarves. The items subsequently were given away to people in need of warm gear during the cold snap. “It has been so cold, we gave them away right away,” campaign spokesperson Ramiro Sarmiento said. Abughazaleh, of Chicago, has been known to knit during candidate forums and other public events. But the former journalist and internet personality wasn’t at the gathering.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Monday, Feb 2, 26 @ 2:14 pm:
There are those of us in the “conservative interest group” who are Democratic donors and voters.
Sad for you, Mike.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Monday, Feb 2, 26 @ 2:18 pm:
Same goes for other candidates. Keep up the AIPAC Bashing. Jewish community has a long memory…
- NIU Grad - Monday, Feb 2, 26 @ 2:25 pm:
Jackson Jr. found the perfect excuse for people in the district asking “Why haven’t you put up any yard signs yet?”
Very believable that he had every single printed material for his campaign stored inside an obscure printing shop far outside of his district.
- the weatherman - Monday, Feb 2, 26 @ 2:28 pm:
Preston wants federal and state authorities to investigate whether or not JJJ’s campaign signs were casualties of a building explosion? yea, just the kind of guy dc needs right now. serious prioritizer. totally serious guy.
- Joseph M - Monday, Feb 2, 26 @ 2:46 pm:
I think Rahm’s Parking Meter needs a reminder that AIPAC is immensely unpopular. Their contributions will continue to be viewed unfavorably on candidates’ records as long as AIPAC is widely regarded as a supporter of Netanyahu’s unreasonably destructive actions in Palestine.
Sept. 2025 Upswing poll of Dems in multiple districts including IL-09:
-AIPAC polling at net -24 favorability (40/16, with Netanyahu sitting far below at net -68)
-48% “could never support a candidate for Congress that was funded by AIPAC or the pro-Israel lobby.”
-76% of those polled want to stop military aid to Israel.
-72% agree with the statement: “I support Israel’s right to defend itself, especially after the terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023, but they are no longer defending themselves, they are killing innocent Palestinians”
- Evelyn Normie Lib - Monday, Feb 2, 26 @ 3:06 pm:
I don’t agree with a lot of what AIPAc advocates for but as a Jewish Illinoisan it irritates me to see AIPAC treated like a boogeyman when other PACs or not.
Also I’d personally prefer Fine because she’s done more actual legislation in the state congress than Biss did during his term. Still happy to vote for Biss in the election if he wins the primary though.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Monday, Feb 2, 26 @ 3:15 pm:
Joseph M., look up what Americans Jews think of those AIPAC attacks, even if not intended. It is truly viewed as an antisemitic attack and code language.
And remember a large amount of Democratic primary votes come from the Jewish community in Districts 9 and 10.
So read the room.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Monday, Feb 2, 26 @ 3:16 pm:
Evelyn, 100%. AIPAC is not the NRA.
- Skokie - Monday, Feb 2, 26 @ 3:53 pm:
40% of American Jews believe Israel is committing a genocide. PSA: Be very careful of people or organizations claiming to speak for Jews.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Feb 2, 26 @ 4:29 pm:
===There are those of us in the “conservative interest group” who are Democratic donors and voters.===
I don’t think that there’s any rules that says just because someone votes Democratic and donates to Democratic candidates that all of the organizations they belong to and that they support are suddenly Democratic organizations.
What’s odd for me is the idea that someone who is a member of AIPAC not really seeing how the organizations positions have changed over the years and ignoring instances where AIPAC has entered into Democratic primaries making false suggestions that one candidate or another has utilized antisemitic rhetoric.
AIPAC also creates a fun albatross for a Democratic candidate because to continue to receive support from AIPAC and people like you puts the candidate at odds with voters who support really mundane positions like a two state solution. Back in my day, that used to be good enough.
Israel is under the thumb of an extreme right wing government. Blind support of an extreme right wing government is a hard thing for anyone in the center or anywhere on the left to continue to do. Like, how do you answer a question like “what is a settlement?” that is an honest answer about what’s actually going on without criticizing Israel?
You may not see it that way, but a lot of people in the 9th District do. A lot of Democrats do. Not very many of us have a memory of the US Israeli relationship from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, or you know, before the government of Israeli became more and more right wing.
Laura Fine might win a Democratic primary to find herself so unpopular in the district that a campaign is organized in an effort to defeat her in November.
She might become a member of congress that is unable to host open events and public town halls in her own district.
But that’s her opponent’s point. Why would Laura Fine suddenly be receiving massive support from the same right wing donors that support Donald Trump. What do Laura Fine and Donald Trump have in common? Is the answer to that question something that Laura Fine wants to discuss? Is the answer to that question unequivocal support for a right wing foreign government?
There’s a few congressional campaigns that are trying to figure out a way to make every voter ask why Laura Fine and Donald Trump have so much in common.
But hey, at least now she can afford to run some cable ads.
- Rahm’s Parking Meter - Monday, Feb 2, 26 @ 4:51 pm:
I do support a two state solution for the record, Candy.
Don’t agree with what you wrote entirely but do respect it.
- Serviam - Monday, Feb 2, 26 @ 5:10 pm:
-”she’s done more actual legislation in the state congress”-
fwiw, I think you mean the Illinois General Assembly. I know, this isn’t a substantive point of order. Still, as we debate, let’s not forget the little things.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Feb 2, 26 @ 5:25 pm:
===I do support a two state solution for the record, Candy.===
So then you must be aware that Netanyahu’s government refuses to support the creation of a Palestinian State, has for years, and his government has done just about everything imaginable to undermine the ability to implement a two state solution and has repeatedly declared that “There Shall Be No Palestinian State.”
We are at a point where AIPAC is lobbying, bundling, and making PAC expenditures that are against our official US position and our foreign policy goal for the last 5 decades. Sure, they’ve got a conditional statement on their website but their actions suggest otherwise.
I understand that voters don’t do nuances, but it becomes problematic when donors refuse to as well.
- Surge voter - Monday, Feb 2, 26 @ 5:43 pm:
Candy Dogwood
I’ve always seen you as one of the more knowledgeable and level headed people who post her. Why so overheated now? Laura Fine is a woman of integrity. Her positions on issues don’t change based on what’s popular or who supports her. Let’s try to be a little more fair and use less hyperbolic language.
- 9th Enthusiast - Monday, Feb 2, 26 @ 6:00 pm:
Laura Fine passed almost 190 bills in Illinois and brought back over $21 million in grant funds to her district. Daniel hasn’t come anywhere close to that, for those who say she hasn’t done anything in Springfield
- Evelyn Normie Lib - Monday, Feb 2, 26 @ 6:00 pm:
Evelyn, 100%. AIPAC is not the NRA.
The NRA is also very controversial and disliked, and people say fhe existence of rhe NRA is responsible for the slaughter of millions despite most gun owners being responsible. I think it’s a lot like AIPAC in that regard.
- The apologist - Monday, Feb 2, 26 @ 6:33 pm:
I know a lot of people who lost their signs in that fire. Not sure why anyone would think it’s an obscure print shop; that place is always in high demand by candidates in Will, Grundy, and DuPage counties. It’s not far from the second district, and the notion of a investigation for, I guess, political shenanigans sounds pretty absurd to me.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Feb 2, 26 @ 6:36 pm:
===Why so overheated now?===
Logical fallacy much?
- Dotnonymous x - Monday, Feb 2, 26 @ 8:27 pm:
- Let’s try to be a little more fair and use less hyperbolic language. -
You sound like a condescending jerk…exactly.
- David Agnew - Tuesday, Feb 3, 26 @ 9:51 am:
Most Democratic candidates in Kane County use Union Printing too.
- Illinois Capitol Building Construction - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 3:33 pm:
@ Candy Dogood
No one in this race is a “member of AIPAC.” That’s not how AIPAC works, and repeating it doesn’t make it true.
It’s also worth saying plainly: Jews don’t need permission from non-Jews to identify what is antisemitic.
Second, supporting Israel’s right to exist and its security is not the same thing as endorsing every policy of the current Israeli government. Many Democrats — including Jewish Democrats — support a two-state solution, oppose settlement expansion, and are deeply critical of Netanyahu, while still rejecting the idea that Israel is uniquely illegitimate. Those positions are not contradictory.
Third, the insinuation that Jewish candidates or candidates supported by Jewish-aligned donors must “explain” what they have in common with Trump is exactly the kind of false logic people should be careful about. Sounds like a litmus test for Jews to me.
Shared donor universes do not equal shared values, especially when the donor universe includes large numbers of lifelong Democratic voters and frankly, Jews. Mostly, you have proven you don’t know who Jews are or how IL-09 actually works. Please listen carefully as I explain this for your benefit: The idea that IL-09 won’t turn out for a Jewish Democrat with a long record because of recycled national talking points misunderstands both Jewish voters and this district. If anything, the framing here says more about your personal blind spots than about the electorate.
Finally, you can critique Israeli government policy without sliding into insinuations about loyalty, donor contamination, or which Jews are “acceptable.” Pretty gross that you went there.
And the ads are working, so perhaps it’s really the visibility of a Jewish woman that irks you.