* US Senate candidate Juliana Stratton is out with her first TV ad…

* Even more PAC money is making its way into the 9th CD. Matthew Eadie…

NEW – The Progressive Caucus PAC @electprogress is coming into #IL09 with cable ads (CPC is backing Daniel Biss) https://t.co/Hz9HyG6ywv

Looks like two ad contracts will put ads on TV until March 15, two days before election day

— Matthew Eadie (@mattheweadie22) February 19, 2026

Biss put out his first broadcast TV ad this week. The ad features Jan Schakowsky who says “AIPAC and Trump donors are attacking Daniel Biss […] I won’t stand by and let them pick my successor.”

Click here to watch.

* Speaking of PAC money, NBC Chicago’s Mary Ann Ahern asked 2nd CD candidate Donna Miller on Monday about the AIPAC-related money backing her. Here’s the transcript…

MAA: Will that kind of money influence your decision making and why has Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky removed your name from her endorsements.

Miller: That will not influence my decision making for the 2nd Congressional District. The people of the 2nd Congressional District are concerned about affordability, they’re concerned about healthcare, they’re concerned like me, just a mom who wants to take care of their kids. They’re concerned about what’s happening in our communities. Those are all things that I have lead on with distinction for many years, decades. I was the past president of Planned Parenthood. You don’t get more non-Trump than that.

MAA: But the AIPAC money, could you address that?

Miller: I have donors on both sides, AIPAC donors who may have given me money and non-AIPAC donors who have also given me money. That is how it works in campaigns where we get funding from those who want to support your candidacy because they believe in the work that you’re doing.

MAA: Congresswomen Jan Schakowsky, are you disappointed that she’s removed your name from her endorsement list?

Miller: I’ve been friends with Jan Schakowsky for over 20 years.

Miller announced the endorsement in January, but Jan Schakowsky is no longer listed on her website. There’s chatter that Schakowsky may have pulled her endorsement of 2nd CD candidate Donna Miller over AIPAC-backed PAC money supporting her. Schakowsky’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

..Adding… Sun-Times…

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky has withdrawn her endorsement of Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller in the 2nd Congressional District race over Miller receiving campaign funding from American Israel Public Affairs Committee donors — and an AIPAC super PAC that is running TV ads to support her. […]

Schakowsky first confirmed the un-endorsement to the Chicago Sun-Times Thursday.

“Illinois deserves leaders who put voters first, not AIPAC or out-of-state Trump donors,” Schakowsky said in a statement to the Sun-Times. “I cannot support any candidate running for Congress who is funded by these outside interests. That is one of the many reasons I am supporting Daniel Biss in IL-09. Daniel will always put Illinois families ahead of outside influence.”

Schakowsky had made the Miller endorsement before she was aware of outside money coming into the race, including from donors supportive of President Donald Trump.

* 4th CD candidate Patty Garcia…

Today, Progressive Democrat Patty García announced the endorsements of Illinois Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Senate President Don Harmon, reflecting growing momentum for her campaign in the 4th congressional.

“Patty Garcia shares my commitment to expanding opportunity, protecting fundamental rights, and strengthening our communities,” said Senate President Don Harmon. “I have no doubt she will be a tireless advocate for Illinois families in Congress, because I’ve seen her determination pay off. She’s helped bring critical investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure to the 4th district and is ready to continue that work in Congress.”

“Patty understands the challenges facing working families and has the experience, integrity, and determination to deliver real results for Illinois,” said Speaker Chris Welch. “Throughout her career, Patty has shown an unwavering dedication to serving her community and fighting for those whose voices too often go unheard. I’m proud to stand with her and encourage everyone to support her campaign.”

The campaign has also earned the support of a broad coalition of labor unions representing over 1.5 million members, including AFL-CIO, SEIU, ATU, Teamsters, Carpenters, Machinists, and others. García has also been endorsed by Congressman Jesús ‘Chuy’ García, Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and a wide cross-section of state, county, and local leaders.

* Politico…

— In IL-04: Mayra Macías has been endorsed by End Citizens United, which works to reduce the influence of money in politics, in her bid for the 4th Congressional District. Macías is a Democrat running as an independent for Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia’s seat.

— In IL-02: State Sen. Robert Peters has been endorsed by Sierra Club of Illinois in his bid for Congress.

— In IL-02: A candidate forum will be held tonight for Democratic candidates in the 2nd Congressional District. Details here. […]

— In IL-09: A candidate forum will be held tonight in Evanston. Details here.

* More…

* Daily Northwestern | Biss, Illinois Democratic candidates blast reported AIPAC involvement in congressional races: Mayor Daniel Biss and three fellow Democratic congressional hopefuls from nearby districts denounced “coordinated donations” and “dark money super PAC advertising” by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in their primary races during a Tuesday morning news conference in Chicago.

The lineup of Chicago-area Democrats included State Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago), Anthony Driver Jr. and Junaid Ahmed — candidates seeking to represent Illinois’ 2nd, 7th and 8th Congressional Districts, respectively. Biss is running to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston) in the 9th District.

* WaPo | AIPAC accused of covert campaigning as Democratic support falters: “AIPAC has chosen to get intensely involved in this race knowing that they’re toxically unpopular,” said Daniel Biss, the mayor of Evanston, who is running for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. “AIPAC has become a Republican-aligned organization, and Democratic primary voters know that, and so if they want to interfere as Republicans in Democratic primaries, the only way to get away with it is by hiding it.” Elect Chicago Women is spending heavily in the district on ads supporting one of Biss’s primary opponents, moderate state Sen. Laura Fine.

* Daily Herald | Krishnamoorthi among top U.S. Senate fundraisers with weeks until primary: Krishnamoorthi, now a congressman for the suburban 8th District, ended 2025 having raised nearly $28.5 million for his Senate bid, according to the Federal Election Commission. That places him third among all U.S. Senate candidates this cycle so far, behind only Democratic U.S. Sens. Jon Ossoff of Georgia — the leader with $63.9 million raised — and Cory Booker of New Jersey, whose campaign reported taking in about $30.1 million.

* Press release | Four Chicagoland Democratic Party Organizations Unite to Endorse Raja Krishnamoorthi for U.S. Senate: Today, four Democratic parties in the greater Chicago area – the Schaumburg Area Democratic Party, the Bloomingdale Township Democratic Organization, the Hanover Township Democratic Party, and the Elk Grove Township Democratic Party – all announced their endorsements of Raja Krishnamoorthi for U.S. Senate, strengthening a rapidly growing coalition of Democrats in every corner of the state rallying behind Raja’s proven record of delivering tangible results.

* Press release | Over 50 congressional colleagues come out strong in support of Robin Kelly’s Senate bid: “I am proud to support Robin Kelly as the next Senator for Illinois,” Rep. Ilhan Omar said. “At a time when our democracy is under unprecedented attack, she is leading the effort to impeach Kristi Noem and refusing to back down in the face of authoritarianism. In the Senate, she will be a clear progressive voice holding Donald Trump accountable and fighting for working families. She understands healthcare is a human right and will champion Medicare for All. There is simply no one who will fight harder for the people of Illinois than Robin Kelly.”

* Press release | Over 100 Faith leaders endorse Juliana Stratton for US Senate: “Juliana knows how to fight for us because she’s lived our struggles too, and I’m proud to stand with her because we know that she will continue to uplift our communities and congregants with support that is truly transformational,” said Clergy for Juliana Co-Chair, Pastor Stephen J. Thurston II. “A daughter of the South Side, Juliana has stood with us and delivered for us time and time again, and I know she’ll continue to work as a true partner to the faith community as a U.S. Senator.”

* Press release | Junaid Ahmed Announces Endorsement from Sunrise Movement in Illinois’ 8th Congressional District: “As AIPAC front groups, crypto billionaires, and AI special interests flood Chicago races with millions to buy influence and increase their own profits, we are choosing people power,” said Aru Shiney-Ajay, Executive Director of Sunrise Movement. “Junaid has the courage to stand up to the special interests trying to destroy our democracy and the backbone to take on corporate power, and that is exactly the kind of leadership this moment demands.”

* Evanston Now | Biss says he will brief lawmakers on NU protest inquiry: There is no set date for the briefing as of yet, though Biss, in a letter to Walberg Monday pushed back on Walberg’s accusation that Biss had been “publicizing [his] refusal to provide the campus with support,” writing, “The matter became public only after your committee released the transcript of its interview with former President Schill last year, and has gained further media interest since your letter last month.”