* 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…
* 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.