* AIPAC ads are apparently hitting the airwaves in a few congressional districts. Evanston Now’s Matthew Eadie…
The Daniel Biss campaign…
Today, news broke that a dark money super PAC named “Elect Chicago Women” has begun to blanket the airwaves with broadcast television ads in support of state Sen. Laura Fine’s campaign for Congress in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. The group, which popped up last week and has not disclosed a single donor, is widely suspected to be backed by the right-wing group AIPAC, which has provided the vast majority of Fine’s fundraising for her campaign.
“On the heels of the revelation that Laura Fine raised 92% of money from out-of-state and took $60,000 from Trump’s donors, we now find out that a right-wing dark money super PAC is starting to blanket the airwaves in her support,” said Biss for Congress Campaign Manager George Lundgren. “Fine claims she will stand up to Trump, but her campaign is being propped up by Trump supporters, AIPAC donors, and right-wing super PACs. With mail voting starting this week, it’s time for Fine to tell the truth to 9th District voters about who is actually behind her campaign.”
Recently released campaign finance reports show that state Sen. Laura Fine’s congressional campaign raised $53,350 in the fourth quarter of 2025 from donors who previously gave to Donald Trump. 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).
* The ad supporting Melissa Bean in the 8th CD…
…Adding… Junaid for Congress…
Today, hidden behind a dark money super PAC called “Elect Chicago Women,” AIPAC is launching a wave of television ads to prop up Melissa Bean’s campaign. The Super PAC will spend nearly $400,000 in its first week and comes on top of the more than $400,000 in donations from AIPAC donors that Melissa Bean has already received in this campaign.
“My opponent was once called Wall Street’s favorite Democrat, so it’s no surprise the wealthy and the powerful think they can buy her vote,” said Junaid Ahmed. “This is the AIPAC playbook on how to control Congress. They’ll spend big money now and then expect my opponent to send billions in aid and weapons to Israel when she’s in Congress. This is exactly what’s wrong with our politics.
“I’m running a different kind of campaign, powered by the people. I’m not taking a dime of corporate PAC money, and I will fight hard every day to bring down costs, pass Medicare for all, and make sure the wealthy pay their fair share.”
AIPAC is going to need quite the investment to paper over Bean’s record of being theDemocrat who Displeases Democrats. Melissa Bean’s dark money allies say she’ll protect healthcare, but her record demonstrates otherwise, with Bean voting against healthcare for 9/11 first responders. She sided with gun manufacturers and voted to protect them from lawsuits. Bean also voted for the Bush-era tax cuts, which even Rahm Emanuel called “another windfall for the wealthy.”
* The spot supporting Donna Miller…
2nd CD candidate Sen. Robert Peters…
A dark money super PAC dubbed “Affordable Chicago Now!” which filed a statement of organization just last week and is believed to be funded by the right-wing group AIPAC, but has yet to disclose a single donor, has purchased broadcast television ads in the Chicago market in support of Donna Miller’s candidacy for Congress in Illinois’ 2nd District, Federal Communications Commission records show.
AIPAC donors also funded nearly 85% of Miller’s campaign fundraising haul in the fourth quarter of 2025.
“Between MAGA money, AIPAC donors and shady dark money super PACs, it’s clear that right wing forces are playing games with the Democratic primary election,” said Matthew Fisch, campaign manager for Robert Peters for Congress. “Every time you see an ad for Donna Miller on TV, you should know that pro-Trump, right wing forces paid for it. Why? Because they believe Miller is their best investment to advance their agenda to wreak havoc on our communities.”
Miller’s fourth quarter Federal Election Commission report, filed Saturday night, revealed that a shocking percentage came from donors who have a history of giving to Donald Trump or AIPAC. Miller, a Cook County Commissioner, reported raising nearly $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.
* Meanwhile, the Laura Fine campaign dropped a new internal poll. Evanston Now…
An internal poll released Tuesday by State Sen. Laura Fine’s congressional campaign shows the Glenview state senator and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss tied for first place in the race to replace Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston) in the U.S. Congress.
The poll, shared with Evanston Now Tuesday, was conducted between Jan. 26 and Jan. 29 and showed Fine and Biss tied for first place at 21%. The polling memo shows 23% remained undecided.
Kat Abughazaleh, the 26-year-old former journalist and progressive political content creator, sat in third place with 14% support, similar to her support in an internal poll released by her campaign in October.
State Sen. Mike Simmons (7%), Skokie School Board Member Bushra Amiwala (4%), former FBI agent Phil Andrew (4%), State Rep. Hoan Huynh (2%) all trail, with the remaining candidates at 3% collectively.
Methodology…
Results are from a survey of 500 likely voters in the March Democratic primary for U.S. Congress in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. Interviews were conducted by live dialers via telephone and through text-to-web responses between January 26-29, 2026. Results carry a margin of error of +/- 4.4 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence interval.
* In the 4th CD, US Rep. Delia Ramirez has endorsed Patty García. Press release…
Today Congresswoman Delia Ramirez announced her endorsement of Patty García for Congress in Illinois’ 4th Congressional District, citing García’s deep roots in the community and her proven record of standing up to attacks on immigrants.
“I know what it’s like to have family living with fear — fear of deportation, of violence, of losing healthcare with the stroke of a pen,” said Rep. Delia Ramirez. “Like me, Patty grew up the daughter of immigrants in a working-class neighborhood and has spent her career standing with communities under attack. We share the same values — defending immigrant families, protecting human rights, and fighting for working families. She will stand with me to Block the Bombs, MELT ICE, and demand accountability when lives are on the line. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Patty García as the fearless leader we need in Congress right now.”
* A person connected to the García campaign found minimal support from in-state donors for Independent opponent Mayra Macias…
Minimal Illinois support
Only 7.7% of itemized [Macias] contributions came from Illinois—approximately $8,000 total. Illinois support drops to as low as 6.4% when measured against total funds raised.
Out-of-state money dominates
Over 92% of itemized dollars came from outside Illinois.
Top states: Washington, D.C. (23.5%), California (22.2%), New York (12.3%), Florida (11.4%).
Washington political network funding
D.C. alone accounts for nearly one quarter of all itemized contributions—more than Illinois, Texas, and the Midwest combined.
High-dollar, narrow donor pool
Average contribution: $721.
Limited reliance on small-dollar, grassroots donors.
Weak in-district buy-in
Only two contributions from the district, totaling $500, underscore the reliance on national donors.
Click here for a breakdown of Macías’ contributions.
* More…
* Press Release | Don Tracy Responds to Krishnamoorthi’s and Kelly’s Votes Against Ending Government Shutdown: The House voted this afternoon to end a partial government shutdown, funding most federal agencies and providing a 10-day extension for the Department of Homeland Security. The funding package included key Democrat demands, including restrictions on ICE and Border Patrol agents during operations, new investigative requirements, and revised use-of-force guidelines. Even after securing those concessions, Democratic leadership opposed the bill to reopen the government. The package passed by a narrow, bipartisan 217–214 vote, with only 21 Democrats voting to end the shutdown. Not a single one was from Illinois.
* Press Release | Rep. Anna Moeller has endorsed Yasmeen Bankole for the 8th CD: “Yasmeen brings fresh leadership that is exactly what our community needs in this moment. She combines proven public service with a practical, people-first approach that will champion working families—fighting for good jobs, fair wages, and affordable essentials. I wholeheartedly endorse Yasmeen’s candidacy for Congress in the 8th Congressional District.”
* Press Release | IL-07 Congressional Candidate Anabel Mendoza Endorsed by Citizens Against AIPAC Corruption: Today, Citizens Against AIPAC Corruption announced its endorsement of Anabel Mendoza in Illinois’ 7th Congressional District, citing her commitment to rejecting corporate PAC money and challenging the outsized influence of AIPAC and other similarly powerful lobbying groups in American politics. The endorsement comes amid growing concern about the flood of outside political spending in the IL-07 race, with special-interest donors seeking to shape the outcome of a district they do not live in or represent.
* Press Release | Citizens Against AIPAC Corruption (Track AIPAC) Endorses Reed Showalter in IL-07: In IL-07, Reed Showalter has been endorsed by Citizens Against AIPAC Corruption, also known as Track AIPAC, a grassroots national network working to end the outsized Israeli influence on United States politics. The organization supports candidates who reject money from AIPAC, the Israel lobby, and corporate PACs, and who publicly stand against the genocide in Gaza and demand an end to U.S. funding of ongoing war crimes. Reed Showalter, who has raised over a quarter-million dollars from thousands of individual donors, is facing opponents, such as Jason Friedman and Melissa Conyears-Ervin, who are supported by the pro-Israel lobby.
- We've never had one before - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 12:29 pm:
Do you have to live in Chicago to draw from the “Elect Chicago Women” trough? Just askin’
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 12:29 pm:
What’s fun about a single issue organization like AIPAC is that they really only care about their single issue. What’s really unfortunate is that their single issue is the unquestioned and loyal support for a right wing foreign government.
What’s really unfortunate is the impact that has on the Democratic Party’s ability to successfully connect with the voters they need in districts that aren’t reliably democratic.
- Fenton - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 12:30 pm:
The AIPAC-connected efforts for Fine were expected, but did anybody see the Donna Miller push coming? She is all over Chicago broadcast television right now. Kinda reminds me of Mike Bloomberg’s gun control PAC’s intervention in that same district on behalf of Robin Kelly in the 2013 special election.
- Craginite - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 12:35 pm:
Moral of the day: outsiders make their moves.
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 12:49 pm:
I still like the old saw which I will clean up: if you can’t take their money..,,,,, and still vote against them you don’t belong in politics. So take MAGA money and vote your district
- City Zen - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 12:50 pm:
Peters complaining a PAC created just three days ago hasn’t disclosed any of its donors? We had to wait months to see how much Pritzker gave to the super PAC backing Stratton.
- Oak Park - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 1:03 pm:
In CD-7 Showalter and Mendoza, along with Kina Collins, are cannibalizing each other on the progressive left. Both Showalter and Mendoza are in a contest to see how much they can disrespect the Jewish community.
Mendoza was invited to meet privately with Jewish groups for discussion. She refused. Showalter accepted an invitation to speak at a candidate forum held in a synagogue, got up and insulted the entire audience. There are ways to disagree without being disrespectful and rude. He’s now used a recording of that event to fundraise. So yeah,of course they will both get these endorsements.
- Trinity - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 1:08 pm:
Chuy’s team poking at Mayra Macias is interesting. Macias worked for Biden’s Build Back Together group as well was the former ED of Latino Victory. Latino Victory was founded by Eva Longoria. The majority DC contributions is a surprise to no one.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 1:09 pm:
===The majority DC contributions is a surprise to no one===
Yep, she’s a DC creature. And people should know.
- just because - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 1:12 pm:
Not surprised that Delia endorsed Garcia who is Chuy’s chosen one. only surprised that it took her this long… After all Delia and Chuy always have worked together. Delia appears to be the heir apparent for his network of workers.
- Trinity - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 1:18 pm:
It was Garcia’s team that publicly stated Patty Garcia was a “DC insider”. If anything this shows Macias can fundraise. Also how is Garcia’s team expecting a community CURRENTLY being terrorized by ICE to put up for political donations when they are afraid to go to work, school, church,etc.
- Fenton - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 1:26 pm:
== connect with the voters they need in districts that aren’t reliably democratic. ==
Best I can tell, they’re playing in reliably democratic districts — at least here. Is there an example of AIPAC supporting a Dem in a swing district and that candidate losing because of AIPAC support? Honestly curious about this.
- Chacho - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 1:29 pm:
==Trinity==
All politics are local.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 1:31 pm:
===Is there an example ===
Not here. But we may find out soon.
- Annon'in - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 1:41 pm:
The mish mash involving 9th CD is getting fun. Maybe Capt Fax could ask Rep Schawkowsky to ’splain why she endorsed who she endorsed. Meanwhile the poor rank in file voters are left dangling and depressed that Pat Ryan’s monument is delayed.
- Barbara - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 1:53 pm:
The support for Israel today is much different from 1981. Numerous Churches have been bombed and Gaza appears to be a Moonscape. The Zionist lobby has lost touch with much of its base. People want healthcare and balanced budgets and supporting a foreign country helps with neither issue. Most people are opposed to bombing Churches, Hospitals and Schools and killing journalists, doctors, women and children.
- New Day - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 2:02 pm:
“Is there an example of AIPAC supporting a Dem in a swing district and that candidate losing because of AIPAC support? Honestly curious about this.”
No and there won’t be one here. AIPAC and their funders are smart enough to know their ads should never be about Israel and always about local issues.
Meanwhile, Biss has been going around convincing people that he’s the only chance to stop Kat and arguing that Laura was a distant third. As I’ve been saying for weeks, that dog won’t hunt as soon as new polling comes out showing her surge. Well, that time is now. This is a two way race between Fine and Biss and Fine is clearly surging, picking up huge support in only three weeks of paid advertising. Fine is going to win this race and nobody is going to care that AIPAC played a role.
- Excitable Boy - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 2:12 pm:
- AIPAC and their funders are smart enough to know their ads should never be about Israel and always about local issues. -
It’s amazing that you call it smart to completely obscure the entire point of the organization. Why aren’t they proud of it? The word you’re looking for is dishonest.
- Banish Misfortune - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 2:13 pm:
I’m in the 9th and I sure wish we had ranked choice voting. And I wonder if Fine is really a lock. I have decided-and redecided more than once.
- Skokie Man - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 2:20 pm:
=Fine is going to win this race and nobody is going to care that AIPAC played a role.=
The first part of this sentence may be true, but the second part is definitely false. I live in the 9th, and her tactical decisions to solicit AIPAC funding and (more significantly) to play coy and not own it will linger in voters minds long after this election.
It is a “the coverup is worse than the crime” situation for a lot of folks. There are voters who support AIPAC, others who don’t. Most voters don’t like politicians who fly across the country to collect nearly half a million dollars and won’t answer basic questions about it.
- Niles Township - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 2:30 pm:
-Most voters don’t like politicians who fly across the country to collect nearly half a million dollars and won’t answer basic questions about it-
There’s an edit you’re missing. Only for Jews. As a lifelong district voter and an ally to the Jewish community, I’d say your comment is true when applied to them. Are people (including the reporter at Evanston Now) combing campaign records of Kat and others (and if they are, are they publishing multiple stories about it) for out of state contributions? Any modern political campaign (especially for congress) seeks contributions from all over because campaigns are so expensive. Dont like it? I don’t. So work to change it. Don’t just attack one group for completely legal donations. I’ve learned that the Jewish community is treated as the “other” long after people thought they had been “accepted.” I’ll remain an ally as long as they are called out for things others aren’t.
- Katie - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 2:35 pm:
I don’t think Fine is a lock at all. Personally speaking, I was happy to let the cards fall where they may between Biss and Kat and throw a vote to Mike Simmons or Bushra Amiwala, but if it really looks close on Election Day I will happily vote for whoever has the best chance of beating Fine.
Also, like I said, not a Kat supporter but I kind of suspect her voters are being underpolled, and I bet that she is going to get the Girl, I Guess guide which many people I know (30s-40s ‘I Voted’ sticker instagram story every single election types, not unreliable voters) follow blindly. We’ll see!
- AlabamaShake - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 2:51 pm:
** Are people (including the reporter at Evanston Now) combing campaign records of Kat and others (and if they are, are they publishing multiple stories about it) for out of state contributions?**
Come on. Eadie has literally posted (and wrote an article about) this information about all of the top raisers in CD9
- Skokie Man - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 2:52 pm:
=Only for Jews… Are people (including the reporter at Evanston Now) combing campaign records of Kat and others (and if they are, are they publishing multiple stories about it) for out of state contributions?=
Actually, yes he is. And so are others. There has been really thoughtful, robust coverage of both the fundraising by candidates in this race and how they are spending their money. Eadie was the first to report on Biss getting over $80K in mailers from the 3.14 fund, for example. He was also the first to report on Abughazaleh reneging on her promise not to run cable TV ads. He just created maps breaking down where each of the top polling candidates got their money. He’s been great.
The Evanston Roundtable had a big piece just a few days ago that detailed how much Abughazaleh has spent on fundraising and management consultants.
I also don’t know of another candidate in this race who has refused to answer basic questions about why they’ve chosen to solicit hundreds of thousands of dollars from specific donors. That kind of opaqueness tends to draw additional questions.
- Juvenal - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 3:02 pm:
@Niles Township -
People are writing about Fine & AIPAC because Fine is trying to run from her record.
Meanwhile, and I say this respectfully: Biss needs to stop being a polite college professor and show some spine if he wants to lock this race away.
Instead of this:
“On the heels of the revelation that Laura Fine raised 92% of money from out-of-state and took $60,000 from Trump’s donors, we now find out that a right-wing dark money super PAC is starting to blanket the airwaves in her support. Fine claims she will stand up to Trump, but her campaign is being propped up by Trump supporters, AIPAC donors, and right-wing super PACs. With mail voting starting this week, it’s time for Fine to tell the truth to 9th District voters about who is actually behind her campaign.”
This:
“Laura Fine is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Donald Trump. Nearly every penny supporting her campaign has come from Trump allies. Laura Fine also claims she’s never heard of the rightwing group AIPAC, even though they’ve been holding fundraisers for her. Like Trump, Laura Fine does not want us to believe our own eyes. The truth is Marjorie Taylor Greene ihas fewer ties to Trump than Laura Fine.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 3:07 pm:
===Are people (including the reporter at Evanston Now) combing campaign records===
Before you even think about commenting here again, use an online search to answer your question.
Final warning.
- 9th Enthusiast - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 3:37 pm:
The whole talking point that Fine hasn’t spoken about this or is being overly opaque is laughable. I’ve been to numerous candidate events and seen reporting where she answers this question and its something in the form up “My values don’t change. Donors donating to my campaign know my progressive voting record”
=juvenal=
She never claimed she’s “never heard of AIPAC.” She said they haven’t endorsed her, which they haven’t.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 3:40 pm:
I will also say this. You can disagree with Laura Fine. Okay.
I am voting for her.
What makes me angry as a Jewish American is when I see code language like “Zionist lobby.” You don’t like my ideas on Israel, try living in my communal shoes. But don’t be like Kina, Reed, Kat or others to the point where Jewish Americans (which vote heavily Democratic) don’t feel welcome in the party. Because we will speak up.
You can be critical of Israel. You don’t have the right to disparage our views like this anymore than I wouldn’t for those who donate to Planned Parenthood (which I do), or any other group.
It is a double standard and it is antisemitic even when a lot of my friends here don’t realize it from time to time.
Trying to be helpful here to my friends on Cap Fax.
- Skokie Man - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 4:26 pm:
=The whole talking point that Fine hasn’t spoken about this or is being overly opaque is laughable.=
Please see below. Readers (and voters) can decide for themselves whether the idea that she is being overly opaque about this is “laughable”.
“Despite denying having support from the American Israel Political Action Committee in her run for Congress, the president of AIPAC’s board of directors is set to host a private fundraiser in Los Angeles next month in support of State Sen. Laura Fine, according to hidden webpages reviewed by Evanston Now.
“Fine’s campaign told the Loyola University Chicago student newspaper, the Loyola Phoenix, late last month that the Glenview state senator ‘has not received and is not seeking endorsement from JStreet, AIPAC or any Jewish organization,’ after Evanston Now’s reporting in October revealing AIPAC encouraging support for her campaign.
“But two separate fundraising emails sent in August and September, obtained by Evanston Now, name Fine as the organization’s choice for Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s congressional seat, explicitly urging email recipients to donate to her campaign, while criticizing her top two opponents and providing links for donors to a hidden webpage where they can donate.”
link: https://evanstonnow.com/fine-denies-aipac-support-despite-planned-fundraiser-with-groups-president/
Fine told Jewish Insider in May that she’d spoken to AIPAC and allied lobbying group Democratic Majority for Israel prior to launching her candidacy, but her campaign later told student newspaper Loyola Phoenix in October that she was not seeking endorsements from ‘any Jewish organization.’”
link: https://evanstonroundtable.com/2025/12/16/aipac-leader-reportedly-hosts-fundraiser-for-fines-congressional-run/
- System Reboot - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 4:26 pm:
March 18th can’t come soon enough…
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 4:42 pm:
===is laughable===
Man, some of y’all really must think we’re idiots.
- Rotanatrot - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 5:11 pm:
Gotta love the game! More hypocrisy from the Garcia team taking in 50% of the contributions from a transfer from another committee. I wonder which one…
- New Day - Wednesday, Feb 4, 26 @ 5:43 pm:
“It’s amazing that you call it smart to completely obscure the entire point of the organization. Why aren’t they proud of it? The word you’re looking for is dishonest.”
How have they obscured the point of their organization? Are you saying that every organization that participates in the political process has to ONLY talk about their own issues? Isn’t the point of a political campaign to win? You focus on the issues that matter to the district and to my point from earlier, Israel is not the most important issue to the district. It’s an issue of concern to some voters in the district. No different here. You focus on what matters to voters.
- AlabamaShake - Thursday, Feb 5, 26 @ 8:24 am:
I mean… they literally create different entitities to try and hide that the money comes from AIPAC.
Why?