* Last week, the Illinois Future PAC rolled out a pro–Juliana Stratton intro ad, but it had to be tweaked after Raja Krishnamoorthi’s campaign pointed out it didn’t contain the proper disclaimer. The PAC added a disclaimer to the ad, but Raja’s campaign filed an FEC complaint today, claiming the original ad is still running. From the complaint…
As of January 20, 2026, the original illegal ad was still running in the Chicago market, despite a statement by an Illinois Future PAC spokesperson provided to the media on January 16, 2026 which stated that “the disclaimer in the ad has been updated.” As such, Illinois Future PAC both admitted violation while continuing to mislead voters.
A spokesperson for the Illinois Future PAC said the revised ads were sent to the TV stations last week. Official comment…
This is just another sad attempt by Congressman Krishnamoorthi to stop Illinois voters from hearing about a candidate for U.S. Senate that isn’t him. After doing nothing in Congress for the last eight years, Raja finally stood to vote in favor of a resolution expressing appreciation for ICE. Now, Raja claims he wants to abolish the agency one day, only to walk it back the next. It’s a shame that nearly $100,000 in funding from an ICE contractor couldn’t buy Raja some better talking points. Instead of grasping at straws out of fear for an extra day’s worth of press coverage, we’d recommend Raja’s campaign clean up their stance on Kristi Noem and an agency that continues to terrorize Illinois communities.
…Adding… Raja for Illinois spokesperson…
Juliana Stratton’s dark money super PAC admitted it made an illegal ad and is still running it on television five days later. Given Team Stratton’s legal issues, it’s no wonder her campaign has failed to gain momentum, and she is left relying on this shady super PAC to mislead Illinois voters in the hopes of winning support.
U.S. Senate race: Conservative Republican Jeannie Evans’ campaign says she’s raised $500,000 in eight weeks in the GOP primary for the open U.S. Senate seat. Evans is a corporate attorney from Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood whose message has focused on crime and the economy.
* Republican Don Tracy press release…
U.S. Senate candidate Don Tracy today announced endorsements from a broad coalition of sitting Illinois state legislators from across the state, underscoring growing momentum behind Tracy’s campaign and support for his message of strong leadership, common sense solutions, and representing all of Illinois.
The endorsements include:
• State Senate Republican Leader John Curran (Downers Grove)
• State Senate Deputy Republican Leader Sue Rezin (Morris)
• State Senate Assistant Republican Leader Terri Bryant (Murphysboro)
• State Senate Assistant Republican Leader Steve McClure (Springfield)
• State Senate Republican Caucus Whip Jil Tracy (Quincy)
• State Senator Chris Balkema (Channahon)
• State Senator Andrew Chesney (Freeport)
• State Senator Don DeWitte (St. Charles)
• State Senator Dave Syverson (Cherry Valley)
• State Representative and Republican Conference Chairperson Jeff Keicher (Sycamore
• State Representative Michael Coffey, Jr. (Springfield)
• State Representative Amy Elik (Godfrey)
• State Representative Nicole La Ha (Homer Glen)
• State Representative Kyle Moore (Quincy)
• State Representative Wayne Rosenthal (Morrisonville)
• State Representative Kevin Schmidt (Millstadt)
• State Representative Patrick Sheehan (Lockport)
Together, the group represents communities from suburban, rural, and downstate Illinois, which reflects Tracy’s deep statewide roots and his commitment to fighting for everyday Illinoisans.
* Moving on to the 9th Congressional District, Democrat Kat Abughazaleh caught some heat for missing a candidate forum last night. Evanston Now’s Matthew Eadie…
Kat Abughazaleh is responding this evening with a statement after missing a candidate forum hosted by Indivisible Edgewater, citing narcolepsy and her sleeping through the event
When approached via telephone on Wednesday just before 11am EST the Daily Mail woke Abughazaleh up. The Gen-Z internet star said: ‘How did you get my number?’ then asked us to contact her ‘press team’ for comment.
* Meanwhile, the Illinois Nurses Association has endorsed Abughazaleh…
* Bushra Amiwala, who is also running in the 9th CD, says her campaign has raised more than $1 million…
Over $1 Million raised. And I can look every single donor in the eye.
When you sit down with someone, answer their toughest questions, and earn their support without making false promises - that is how you build a movement that lasts. pic.twitter.com/XRa1UNyztn
* Sen. Mike Simmons announced some endorsements this morning…
Today, elected leaders from across Illinois’ 9th District announced their support for State Senator Mike Simmons’ Congressional campaign in IL-09. This coalition includes Evanston 8th Ward Councilmember Matt Rodgers, Evanston Township High School Board Member Leah Piekarz, Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega, McHenry County Board Member Gloria Van Hof, and Chicago School Board Member Michilla Blaise. This collection represents a district-wide surge of momentum to elect Mike Simmons: there is a clear hunger for his experience and passion to take on the biggest fights in Congress.
“I’m honored to be supported by a growing movement that reaches across every county in the 9th District: from Crystal Lake to Buffalo Grove to South Evanston to Uptown, voters are tired of business-as-usual Democrats who let Republicans dictate the terms,” said Senator Simmons. “I’m thankful to be supported by so many voters and leaders who know we can do better, and who want the next Representative of the 9th District to meet this moment. With their support, I’m ready to bring the heat and my legislative experience from day one in Congress.”
* The Daily Northwestern published an interesting piece about the Republican candidates in the 9th CD…
As such, this year’s Republican contenders have attracted little institutional support. Cook County Republican Party Chairman Aaron Del Mar said the party will likely concentrate its resources on congressional races in the 7th, 8th and 17th districts instead, where the party thinks it has a better chance of winning.
Del Mar noted the strength of Democratic hopefuls like Mayor Daniel Biss’ endorsements and State Rep. Hoan Huynh’s (D-Chicago) transparency with constituents. […]
At a November candidate forum in Northbrook, Illinois, [Republican Rocío Cleveland] presented Democratic candidate Kat Abughazaleh with a “gift bag” for use in prison following the latter’s federal indictment. Months later, Cleveland defended her actions to The Daily. […]
But Del Mar had sharp words for Cleveland, calling her a “bad actor” and suggesting her “unacceptable antics” have made the race “radioactive.”
“She just doesn’t represent our beliefs and our values and conducts herself in an unbecoming way,” Del Mar said. “And I don’t want our party to be associated with that type of behavior.”
In IL-02: Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller has been endorsed by Elect Democratic Women in her bid for Congress. This political action committee is made up of current members of Congress.
In IL-02: State Sen. Robert Peters has been endorsed by JCUA Votes (the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs). Peters is the only Jewish candidate in the race.
In IL-07: Democrat Richard Boykin, the former Cook County commissioner, has been endorsed by the Italian American Police Association in his bid for the 7th District congressional seat.
* More…
* Evanston Now | Interview: Phil Andrew for U.S. House: Evanston Now reporter Matthew Eadie sat down with Wilmette Democrat Phil Andrew last week to discuss the former FBI-agent turned congressional candidate’s campaign for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. The interview is the second in a series of interviews Evanston Now is planning with congressional candidates looking to replace Rep. Jan Schakowsky in Washington ahead of the March 17 primary election.
*Former Evanston Mayor Stephen Hagerty | Head or heart? A voter’s dilemma in Illinois’ 9th District race: In a ranked-choice system, voters could resolve this tension by ranking preferences: voting first with their heart, then with their head. But absent that structure, voters are left to reconcile those instincts internally. The result is not apathy, but anxiety; a sense that every choice carries unintended consequences.
* STLPR | Progressive Democrat Blaha aims to primary Budzinski in Illinois’ 13th: “I can’t win with name recognition,” the Urbana resident said on the latest episode of Politically Speaking. “I’m never going to beat her with money, so I need to beat her by educating people on what we both stand for, what she’s voted for, and then, hopefully, they’ll pick me.” […] “I’m not just running against Nikki,” Blaha said. “I’m running against the Democratic Party.”
* The Democratic Party of Illinois, backed by the state’s top leaders, wants to move the 2028 primary up to sometime before the first Tuesday in March of that year. Press release…
The Democratic Party of Illinois is proud to announce its proposal to hold a pre-window primary contest in Illinois has been submitted today to the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee.
“Illinois is a cross-section of urban, suburban, and rural America, a national beacon for labor rights, equality, and reproductive justice, and the heart of the Democratic Party in the Midwest,” said DPI Chair Lisa Hernandez. “From Cairo to Champaign, up from the Quad Cities to Chicago, and everywhere in between, Illinois offers candidates ample opportunities to reach voters of all backgrounds. We are a microcosm of America and the perfect analog to test a potential nominee’s capabilities on the national stage.”
Chair Hernandez continued: “Illinois has been the target of the Trump administration’s worst abuses. To win, candidates will have to meet Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native voters where they are and speak to the concerns of women, LGBTQ+ communities, and disabled Americans who have been targeted by this White House. Undoubtedly, Illinois voters will take seriously the task to help select a nominee who will work to push far-right extremists out of power. A competitive primary in Illinois will lay out an agenda that lowers costs for Americans across economic status. Whoever emerges from the primary will do so by building a coalition across race, class, gender and geography with the momentum needed to win back the White House.”
Today’s submission is with the support of Illinois’ Democratic governor, House Speaker, Senate President, and a strong coalition of support from advocacy groups and labor. The application touts the state’s electoral infrastructure–well-run elections and timely ballot tabulation with early voting, vote by mail, same-day voter registration, and automatic voter registration–as reasons why Illinois makes it easy for every eligible voter to cast their ballot, and why Illinois is ready and able to support an early primary.
Thoughts?
…Adding… Good one in comments…
They did the same thing for Obama. Nothing new here. Could have saved a lot of ink and just admitted the real motivation.
In what he hopes will be a “wake-up call” to state leadership about the team’s exploration of potential stadium sites in northwest Indiana, Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia today issued an open letter imploring Illinois legislators to approve a so-called megaproject bill that would bring long-term predictability to property taxes on large developments.
The measure, which would allow the Bears to negotiate future property tax payments for a stadium with local taxing bodies, is one of the team’s chief demands before it would forge ahead with a new venue and entertainment district at the 326-acre former Arlington International Racecourse property. It’s also an entirely reasonable ask, Tinaglia said, from a franchise proposing the largest private development in the state’s history.
“The team has been clear that at this point their choices are either the Arlington Heights site, or Indiana,” Tinaglia wrote in the letter. “We must stand together as Illinoisans to prevent our state from being out of the NFL business altogether, and support the Mega Projects Bill.” […]
“People need to realize that this (Indiana pursuit) is real,” Tinaglia said, lamenting what he deems widespread misinformation and misunderstanding about what the Bears want from Springfield.
…Adding… The governor was asked about the half a billion dollars or so still owed on the Soldier Field stadium remodel and if it was the Bears’ debt to pay off…
You know, the Bears don’t owe that. That is a decision that government leaders made years ago to borrow that money to create the Bears stadium. I mean, the Bears, of course, as a result of them playing at Soldier Field and paying rent, essentially at Soldier Field, are helping to pay the bills on that but I just want to be clear that the actual fiscal responsibility, the financial responsibility for that debt, does not fall on the Bears.
Having said that, we do not want them to leave the city of Chicago or the state of Illinois with enormous debt that goes unpaid. And so we have to figure out how that happens that does not fall entirely on the Bears. So just wanted to disabuse people of that notion in terms of the dynamics.
You know, we’ve been really clear about what we’ve been willing to do as a state, and there have been lots of discussions over time and recently with the Bears to make sure that they know what those options are. And I believe it’s best for the Bears to stay in the state of Illinois. I’ve always said that. I do not think the fans want the Chicago Bears to be based anywhere else except in the state of Illinois.
And frankly, at this moment, I think we all ought to be thinking about crushing the Rams and not talking about a stadium.
The Bears hailed Indiana politicians taking the first step to create the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority as a “significant milestone” in the team’s discussions to build a home stadium across state lines rather than the 326 acres the team owns in Arlington Heights.
The Indiana Legislature’s Senate Bill 27, amended Thursday, would authorize the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to acquire land, finance improvements and enter into leases with a private business such as the Bears.
“The legislation presented by the State of Indiana is a significant milestone in our discussions around a potential stadium development in Chicagoland’s Northwest Indiana region,” a Bears spokesperson said in a statement. “We appreciate the leadership and responsiveness of Governor [Mike] Braun and Indiana lawmakers in advancing a framework that allows these conversations to move forward productively.”
Language in the proposed legislation would create the stadium authority as a stand-in for the state; the authority would function as the owner of a new stadium.
The authority’s three-member board would be made up of the director of the Indiana Office of Management and Budget, a budget office designee and the director of the Public Finance Authority.
SB 27 doesn’t mention the Bears by name, but it specifically allows the new stadium authority to enter into agreements with an NFL franchise. Under the current language, that NFL team would have to commit to a 35-year lease. […]
The bill stipulates the authority would own the stadium, but the team would pay for repairs and operational costs. During the lease term, the NFL team would have the option to buy the stadium for the cost of the outstanding debt — or for $1 once the project is fully paid off.
Creates the ICE and CBP Tracker Act. Requires the Attorney General to create and maintain a statewide incident reporting system related to unlawful activity in Illinois by personnel employed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and U.S. Border Protection. Makes legislative findings. Authorizes the Attorney General to adopt rules to implement the Act.
State Senator Rachel Ventura introduced a new measure to establish the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board to investigate and advise on best practices for psilocybin treatments to help tackle treatment-resistant conditions, like PTSD. […]
For the past several years, Ventura has championed Senate Bill 2184, also known as the CURE Act, which would establish a framework for the legal manufacture, delivery, use, and possession of entheogens, namely psilocybin, and make conforming changes to the State’s criminal laws. The measure would require a referral from a health care professional in order to begin the therapy. Prior to first exposure of psilocybin, an individual would undergo a prep session to gauge their conditions and previous treatments and methods they have tried. Post session integration meeting would ensure the individual has the resources and tools they need to work through the psilocybin experience.
The measure led by Ventura this year – Senate Bill 2772 – would implement a part of the CURE Act, establishing the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board under the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which would create a training program, ethical standards and licensing requirements. During a two-year program development period, the board would issue recommendations for health and safety regulations to agencies tasked with regulating psilocybin production and use under the CURE Act. Ventura remains committed to passing the CURE Act in its entirety at a later date. […]
Senate Bill 2772 currently awaits committee assignment.
Members of the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus joined together to outline a series of legislative proposals aimed at addressing the state’s growing energy affordability crisis and reversing policies that have driven electric bills higher for families and businesses.
Senate Republicans warned that the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA) weakens consumer protections, removes long-standing rate caps, shifts billions of dollars in new costs onto ratepayers, and reduces local control. Meanwhile, the bill does nothing to deliver lower prices or improved grid reliability.
“Illinois families are already struggling with record-high electric bills, and CRGA makes the problem worse,” said Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro), Republican Minority Spokesperson for the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee. “It removes rate caps, weakens consumer protections, and shifts massive new costs onto ratepayers without offering real relief.”
In response, Senate Republicans are filing several energy proposals focused on affordability, reliability, and accountability. The measures include restoring consumer rate caps, expanding reliable energy generation, streamlining permitting for new power projects, and repealing policies that reduce supply and drive up costs.
“Nuclear energy provides around-the-clock reliability and price stability,” said Senate Deputy Republican Leader Sue Rezin (R-Morris). “Instead of prioritizing proven solutions, CRGA shifts costly and risky policies onto ratepayers. Senate Republicans are advancing legislation to speed up permitting for new generation, including nuclear, so Illinois can compete and keep costs down.”
Senator Rezin has filed legislation to modernize and streamline the permitting process for new power generation projects by requiring agencies and local governments to act within clear timelines, with permits automatically approved if deadlines are missed.
Senator Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) highlighted Senate Bill 1234 and Senate Bill 1235, two additional measures previously filed aimed at improving and increasing reliability and transparency. […]
Meanwhile, Senate Bill 1235 would repeal the 2030 and 2045 forced shutdown dates for coal and natural gas plants and allow for the construction of new natural gas peaker plants to ensure reliability during extreme weather. […]
“Pritzker’s new law removed the rate caps that protect families from unlimited utility increases,” said Senator Rose (R-Mahomet). “I’m filing legislation to put those rate caps back where they belong, repeal the costly battery storage program, and restore local control so communities have a real voice.”
Senate Republicans said their legislative agenda is designed to lower costs, strengthen grid reliability, and restore accountability in Illinois’ energy policy.
Creates the Gender Pricing Equity Act. Provides that a person, firm, partnership, company, corporation, or business shall not charge a different price for any goods that are substantially similar if those goods are priced differently based on the gender of the individuals for whom the goods are marketed and intended. Provides that a violation of any of the provisions of the Act is an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make a conforming change.
* Sen. Lakesia Collins introduced SB2832 earlier this week…
Developmental etiquette education under this Section shall be offered in the following grades:
(1) Prekindergarten and kindergarten.
Instruction in these grades shall include sharing basic manners and greeting others.
(2) Grades one through 3.
Instruction in these grades shall include listening, apologizing, taking turns, and cooperation.
(3) Grade 6.
Instruction in this grade shall include 9 peer communication, empathy, and personal responsibility.
(4) Grade 8.
Instruction in this grade shall include cyber etiquette, resolving disputes, and bystander skills.
(5) Grade 9.
Instruction in this grade shall include first impressions, posture, and polite conversation.
(6) Grade 12.
Instruction in this grade shall include interviewing, networking, and workplace etiquette and a capstone project to showcase the etiquette skills acquired.
In this ad, Illinois Future PAC must display the federally required disclaimer noting that it is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee, which it has failed to do, in addition to a failure to display a street address, phone number, or website for Illinois Future PAC. (See 1 CFR 110.11(b)(3)) Failing to meet this disclosure requirement, the Illinois Future PAC ad additionally misleads the public in superimposing a logo (beginning at the 26-second mark) bearing a high degree of similarity to the logo (see below) used by Juliana for Illinois, a federal candidate’s committee. In conjunction, these two facts produce an advertisement designed to intentionally mislead the public into a believed official relationship between Juliana for Illinois and the Illinois Future PAC ad.
Unlike candidate committees, independent political organizations such as Illinois Future PAC do not have a “right to command the use of broadcast facilities” (CBS v. DNC, 1973). As you are not required to air this ad, your station bears responsibility for its content (Felix v. Westinghouse Radio Stations, 1950).
You additionally have a responsibility to “protect the public from false, misleading or deceptive advertising” (Licensee Responsibility With Respect to the Broadcast of False, Misleading, or Deceptive Advertising, 1961). A failure in this area to prevent the airing of “false and misleading advertising” may be “probative of an underlying abdication of licensee responsibility” that could put your station’s license in jeopardy (Cosmopolitan Broadcasting Corporation v FCC, 1978).
As this ad is unquestionably and intentionally misleading, with the intention of deceiving your viewers, we ask that you immediately cease airing it on your station. An FEC complaint is being filed imminently on this issue.
…Adding… As you can see above, the ad is no longer available. But you can still watch it here.
…Adding… The disclaimer has been updated. From a Spokesperson for IL Future PAC…
It is no surprise that Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi would prefer voters not hear about Juliana’s proven record of delivering results for the people of Illinois. Nothing in the advertisement misrepresents that record.
What is misleading is the Congressman’s public criticism of ICE while accepting nearly $100,000 from ICE contractors and MAGA aligned Trump donors, once again putting his own interests ahead of Illinoisans. Rather than attempting to distract, his campaign should probably explain why he has taken this money and used it to be on television for five months with no movement in the polls. The disclaimer in the ad has been updated, and the advertisement will continue to run without interruption.
The new ad is here. Some really fast talking at the end to fit that disclaimer in.
…Adding… Raja for Illinois…
Juliana Stratton’s dark money super PAC — which hasn’t disclosed a single donor — was forced to take its ad off TV because it broke the law, misled Illinois voters, and they got caught. Team Stratton’s abject failure today comes just 60 days before Illinois voters go to the polls. WGN News said it best last week: ‘To see the Lieutenant Governor… struggling with minority groups, struggling with females, almost any demographic group that you would think would be a core Democratic constituency raised a lot of eyebrows about what her campaign has been doing for the last 6 months.’
