* 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.
* Speaking of the Senate, here’s Politico…
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…
She may want to give her campaign manager a key to her apartment. Just saying.
The Daily Mail…
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…
* Phil Andrew is out with his campaign’s first TV ad…
* 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.”
* On to other races. Politico…
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.”
