As primary election day nears, U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky plans to endorse Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss this week in his campaign to succeed her in Washington, a source with knowledge of the endorsement has told Evanston Now.
Schakowsky, 81, has represented Evanston and the 9th Congressional District since 1999, but announced last May that she would not seek reelection in the 2026 midterms.
Schakowsky’s endorsement plans have not previously been reported.
The longtime congresswoman told Evanston Now in July that she would not endorse a successor right away, despite nearly all of the top candidates courting her support for several months. […]
Schakowsky’s announcement, which is expected to be made public as early as Wednesday, is likely to be followed by more endorsements from high-profile names in the Chicago area, including potentially more members of Congress.
Kat Abughazaleh, you will recall, announced she would run against Schakowsky as Schakowsky was preparing to announce her retirement. Hard feelings may remain, but the Illinois AFL-CIO’s Biss endorsement may have been the tipping point. It gave people someone they know to rally around.
…Adding… Not a happy camper…
I have never backed down from a fight. Not when an insurance company was about to bankrupt my family, not when special interests tried to block the insurance reforms I passed, and I won't back down now.
I respect Congresswoman Schakowsky's service, but this race is about the…
— Laura Fine for Congress (@laurafineforIL9) January 6, 2026
…Adding… Sen. Mike Simmons…
“Voters are hungry for the next generation of bold leaders. I respect Representative Jan Schakowsky and her decades of service for our communities. As a Black and LGBTQ+ elected trailblazer who grew up in public housing, I have a lifetime of experience in navigating systems that are not designed for me, and that’s shaped me into the progressive, active, and outspoken State Senator I am today: passing nearly 50 bills in less than 5 years and authentically representing the working class neighborhoods and diverse communities all across this district. That’s the kind of unapologetic and proven leadership the 9th District deserves, and that’s why I’m running for Congress.”
Phil Andrew, another Democratic candidate in the race also criticized Schakowsky’s endorsement, saying he knows Schakowsky, and “Daniel Biss is no Jan Schakowsky.”
Former U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean plans to launch an advertising blitz emphasizing her past vote for Obamacare, just as the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress have cut tax subsidies for the federal low-income health care plan. Bean said the message is timely because many voters are facing significantly higher insurance premiums.
“I lost an election because I helped millions of Americans get health care through Obamacare,” she says in the campaign ad. “And I would do it again. But now as Trump and Republicans rip away health care, drive up costs and attack Social Security and Medicare without any solutions, I can’t be silent.” […]
The commercial will run for 10 weeks on streaming platforms, including YouTube, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, Disney+, and Hulu. It is not scheduled to air on broadcast television stations.
Bean is competing with seven other candidates in the Democratic primary: Junaid Ahmed, Yasmeen Bankole, Sanjyot Dunung, Neil Khot, Kevin Morrison, Dan Tully and Ryan Vetticad.
* In the 9th congressional district, Sen. Laura Fine announces her fourth quarter fundraising haul and a broadcast spot. Press release…
Today, State Senator Laura Fine’s campaign for Congress announced a $1.25 million fundraising haul for the fourth quarter, bringing her total raised this cycle to nearly $2 million. This massive surge in support coincides with a dominant ad buy for the campaign’s first ad, “Accident,” signaling that Fine has the resources and the record to win one of the most competitive primaries in Illinois.
“For 13 years, I’ve taken on the insurance giants and corporate polluters in Springfield and delivered results,” State Senator Laura Fine said. “I’m ready to take that same fight to Washington to take on the biggest bully of all.”
The $1.25 million fourth quarter represents a ramp-up of the campaign’s operations, fueled by a broad coalition of grassroots donors and local leaders, including nearly one hundred endorsements. This financial strength, combined with Fine’s independent rating as one of Illinois’ most effective lawmakers, positions the campaign to reach voters in every corner of the district.
The launch of “Accident” marks the first major media investment of the race. The ad introduces voters to the catalyst behind Fine’s passion for public service: a devastating car accident that left her husband Michael fighting for his life, and their family fighting a broken insurance system.
It highlights her subsequent 13-year record of passing more than 190 laws –– including some of the nation’s toughest insurance reforms — to protect families from the same “big bullies” she faced.
“Laura Fine has never backed down from a fight, whether it was standing up to insurance giants in Springfield or taking on corporate polluters,” said Fine’s Campaign Manager, Andrea Cervone. “With $2 million raised and a major ad buy now hitting the airwaves, we have the resources and the momentum to carry her record of delivering results to voters across the district and win on March 17.”
Fine’s campaign said they’ve spent $340k for week one for broadcast, cable and digital ads.
Also worth noting: Several of the b-roll clips in this ad are also in a newly posted 7-minute-long video (no audio) posted on a hidden page on Fine's campaign site
Jason Friedman, a Democrat running in the crowded primary for the 7th Congressional District, is the first candidate to launch a TV and digital ad campaign. His spot, titled “Do Something,” emphasizes his background creating union jobs in the construction industry.
While Trump dismantles our schools and wrecks our economy, Washington is full of politicians failing to fight back.
I’m Jason Friedman, I am not a career politician. I spent my career creating good-paying union jobs, over 40,000. I’m running for congress because enoughs enough. Let’s solve problems, tackle gun violence, build an economy that works for everyone.
I approve this message with a radical idea, let’s take on Trump and get something done for a change.
* Raja Krishnamoorthi launched two new TV ads today “Tables”…
* The last time we saw this sort of language, the governor was preparing to spend a fortune to help nominate Bailey in the 2022 Republican gubernatorial primary. From a new JB for Governor press release…
Darren Bailey Is Way Too Conservative for Illinois
From his unshakable loyalty to President Trump – to his ultra-MAGA policies – GOP gubernatorial candidate Bailey is not fit to serve the people of Illinois
CHICAGO — GOP gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey is the president’s puppet, and his ultra-MAGA values threaten to move Illinois back to the stone age. An Illinois under Darren Bailey would be nothing more than an Illinois under the bruised thumb of President Trump.
Trump’s “Operation Midway Blitz” has been a violent attack on every Illinoisan, on our values, and on our livelihood. Bailey has supported it every step of the way. That’s not surprising though – given he was endorsed by President Trump in 2022.
“Darren is a fearless supporter of the Second Amendment and a tireless champion of religious liberty.” Trump said at an Illinois rally on June 25, 2022. “Darren has my complete and total endorsement.”
And Darren recently said he “would be honored” if the president gave it again.
Bailey has proven time and time again that he doesn’t care about Illinoisans. He only cares about winning Trump’s approval. It’s clear as day: Darren Bailey is way too conservative for Illinois.
As a reminder, here are just a few things Darren Bailey has said that prove how out of step he is with the great state of Illinois:
Since Trump’s Second Term
1. “[President Trump]’s a very genuine person. He is a man of integrity.” - Darren Bailey on NBC 5 Chicago (Dec. 1, 2025)
2. “I support President Trump bringing in the National Guard.” - Darren Bailey wrote on Facebook (August 29, 2025)
Neither Donald Trump nor Darren Bailey has an ounce of integrity, especially when they encourage ICE agents to unlawfully arrest and harm the people of Illinois.
During Trump’s Prosecutions
3. Bailey called Trump’s May 2024 felony conviction “chicken sh*t” in a Facebook post. (May 30, 2024)
4. Shortly after Trump was indicted for 37 felony counts surrounding the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case, Bailey posted a photo of them together at Trump’s New Jersey country club captioned, “It’s an honor to stand with this man.” (June 14, 2023)
It’s clear – Darren Bailey will stand with Trump, even when what he does is illegal and puts Americans at risk.
Before the 2022 Illinois Gubernatorial Election
5. “Sometimes, people will refer to me as the ‘Trump of Illinois.’” - Darren Bailey on political radio program Beyond the Beltway with Bruce DuMont (May 22, 2022)
6. “I’ve made a promise to President Trump that in 2024, Illinois will roll the red carpet out for him because Illinois will be ready for President Trump.” - Darren Bailey at an Illinois rally (June 25, 2022)
7. After the 2020 election, Bailey supported election fraud claims saying, “All this fraudulent activity is absolutely disgusting.”
Even then, Bailey was ready to lie, bend the knee, and toss out the results of a free and fair election, all to appease Trump’s ego.
Bailey’s not running to be governor to help Illinoisans; he’s running to infect our state with Trump’s poisonous agenda and make your families’ lives worse.
Thoughts?
…Adding… The Democratic Party of Illinois…
In the five years since insurrectionists stormed the Capitol, MAGA Republican and right wing violence-apologist Darren Bailey has refused to stand on the right side of history and condemn the violent act. The Democratic Party of Illinois released the following statement:
“Five years ago our nation was scarred by radical vigilantes who threatened to hang the Vice President and House Speaker of the United States. Officers were beaten within an inch of their lives, our Capitol was desecrated and our nation disrespected. Instead of exercising a bit of decency, and condemning those attackers, Darren Bailey has repeatedly whitewashed one of the darkest days in recent American history.”
Less than two weeks ago, Darren Bailey looked directly into a camera (26:30) and said the event that eventually claimed the lives of law enforcement–was a very clear farce, while supporting the pardoning of the violent insurrectionists.
In the five years since one of the most shameful acts of right-wing violence, Darren Bailey has kept up The Big Lie:
- Bailey promoted election fraud conspiracies and said the idea of Trump conceding in 2020 was “appalling:” “‘All this fraudulent activity is absolutely disgusting. It’s wrong, it’s—in my opinion—almost the highest form of treason in our country, so we pray that it will be dealt with.’ After the election, Bailey said on social media that he stood with Trump and that he found the idea that he should concede ‘appalling’”
- Bailey would not say if the 2020 election had been decided fairly: “Far behind them is Mr. Bailey, whose primary financial benefactor is Richard Uihlein, the billionaire megadonor of far-right Republican candidates, who has donated $9 million of the $11.6 million Mr. Bailey has raised and sent another $8 million to a political action committee that has attacked Mr. Irvin as insufficiently conservative. … Mr. Bailey would not say if the 2020 election had been decided fairly or if Mr. Pence did the right thing.”
After Donald Trump lost the 2020 election, Darren Bailey promptly promoted The Big Lie.
Bailey surrounds himself with a team and allies directly connected to the insurrection:
- WTTW: Darren Bailey, Republican Candidate for Governor, Campaigns With Pastors Who Were On US Capitol Grounds During Insurrection
- KSDK: Man Charged In Capitol Riot Re-Emerged To Rally Early Voters With Bailey Campaign Staff
- Capitol Fax: Bailey’s ‘Punisher’ Preacher Ally Was At Stop The Steal Rally
- Illinois Playbook: Bailey’s Friends In Jan. 6 Places
- WCIA: Bailey Campaign Activist Charged In January 6th Capitol Riot
- Capitol Fax: Chicago Man Arrested By Feds In January 6 Probe Had Apparent Ties to Bailey Campaign
In the years since January 6, 2021, Bailey has been unwavering in his support for the very man who incited the violence:
- In an 2025 interview with NBC Chicago, Bailey said he would welcome another endorsement from President Trump and called him a “man of integrity.”
- On the day of Trump’s 2025 Presidential Inauguration, Bailey wrote on Facebook “We have prayed, worked, and fought for this day for the past 8 years! Prayers have been answered, dividends of the work have payed off, and this fight has been won!! God Bless Donald J Trump and the United States of America.”
Darren Bailey has made it clear he is a right-wing extremist who bows to Donald Trump. With several extremists in the GOP primary for governor, Illinois voters deserve to know where Ted Dabrowski, Rick Heidner, and James Mendrick stand. Do they agree with Bailey, or will they condemn Jan 6th, Donald Trump, and the rioters who stormed our nation’s Capitol and threatened to kill lawmakers?
