* The Illinois Future PAC is launching two new broadcast and digital pro-Stratton ads. Press release…
Today, Illinois Future PAC announced the launch of two new broadcast and digital ads called “Protect” and “Abolish ICE,” highlighting Juliana Stratton’s clear and unapologetic stance against the terror inflicted by ICE on Illinois communities. Juliana has separated herself in the race, making it clear she would fight to abolish ICE in the U.S. Senate and protect Illinois communities.
The ads deliver a clear message: the fear and violence associated with ICE will not stop until the agency is abolished. They underscore Juliana’s firm position that ICE must be completely ended and highlight her record of standing up to Donald Trump’s immigration agenda in Illinois alongside Governor JB Pritzker.
The spots position Juliana as a proven leader who has already confronted Trump-era extremism at home and will continue doing so in the U.S. Senate, standing up for Illinois communities and pushing to end policies rooted in fear and intimidation.
Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) will begin airing TV ads next week as part of a $2 million blitz in the Democratic primary for Illinois’ open Senate seat.
Kelly is locked in a three-way contest for the March 17 primary with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) and Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.
Kelly’s campaign has booked $1 million in broadcast TV ads in the Chicago market for the final four weeks of the campaign. Kelly will begin airing cable and streaming ads next week and maintain a presence through the Winter Olympics, bringing the total planned spending to $2 million.
ABC7 Chicago, Chicago’s most-watched television station, will present live and without commercials the 2026 Democratic U.S. Senate Primary Forum on Thursday, Jan. 29, at 7:00 p.m.
ABC7’s anchor Judy Hsu will lead the 60-minute forum, with questions also asked by the station’s political reporter Craig Wall and WGBO/Univision Chicago anchor/reporter Enrique Rodriguez.
Three of the Democratic candidates running for U.S. Senate in Illinois will participate in the forum:
-U.S. Representative Robin Kelly
-U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi
-Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton
The 2026 Democratic U.S. Senate Primary Forum will stream live on ABC7Chicago.com, on ABC7 Chicago’s news app and Facebook page, and on ABC7’s 24/7 streaming channels.
* Raja for Illinois…
Today, four more Democratic County Chairs from downstate Illinois announced their endorsements of Raja Krishnamoorthi for U.S. Senate, adding to a powerful and growing wave of statewide momentum. With these endorsements, Raja now has the support of 19 Illinois Democratic County Chairs — a clear signal that downstate leaders are backing a son of downstate and uniting behind his vision, record, and leadership. […]
NEW Illinois Democratic County Chairs Supporting Raja Include:
Jim Eaton, Chair, Franklin County Democrats
Shawn Rider, Chair, Gallatin County Democrats
Betty Murphy, Chair, Henry County Democrats
Dick Bigger Jr., Chair, Henderson County Democrats
You might remember the name Dick Bigger Jr. from his appearance in a Susana Mendoza political ad back in 2022.
* Press release…
Yesterday, Governor JB Pritzker joined Juliana Stratton and hundreds of supporters of her campaign for two campaign events in Chicago.
First, Governor Pritzker, Lt. Governor Stratton, State Senator Mattie Hunter, State Senator Elgie Sims, and Alderman Michelle Harris brought together over 150 voters in Calumet Heights.
Then, they stopped by Back of the Yards Coffeehouse for a “Latinos con Juliana” meet and greet. The event brought together Latinos con Juliana Co-Chair Berto Aguayo, State Senator Celina Villanueva, State Senator Javier Cervantes, Commissioner Beth Kirkwood, and 10th Police District Councillor Elianne Bahena, all of whom recently endorsed Juliana’s campaign.
“We created an economy that works for working people, we raised the minimum wage to $15 an hour, we created thousands of good paying jobs, and we’ve invested in small businesses,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “We also protected women’s reproductive freedom and made sure that we have expanded access to healthcare – paying off medical debt, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, and doing so much more to better people’s lives.”
“When I first met Juliana, I was looking for somebody who would be a fighter for the people of Illinois as my partner in governance. Juliana shows up, she cares, and she fights for the people of Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We have to stand as one force against what they’re trying to do to the American people from Washington, D.C.”
* More…
* 25News Now | Congressman and U.S. Senate contender Raja Krishnamoorthi visits elementary school in Normal: “The fact that the federal government is now freezing, arbitrarily, various grants that help Fairview and other similar schools,” said Krishnamoorthi, who sees the freezing of federal funds as a consequence that will harm school children under the program. Harm, he explained, include children facing food insecurity or may have domestic issues at home. During his visit, Krishnamoorthi said schools like Fairview could be especially vulnerable when federal funding for after-school and community-based programs are reduced.
* Press release | Congressman Krishnamoorthi Advances Affordability Agenda with Housing Roundtable in Quad Cities, Food Bank Visit in Rockford: In Moline, Congressman Krishnamoorthi convened a roundtable with local leaders, housing advocates, and community stakeholders to discuss the housing affordability crisis and his newly introduced First Home Affordability Act, legislation designed to help first-time buyers overcome steep upfront costs that are increasingly locking families out of homeownership. “With housing prices surging and more than 75 percent of homes out of reach for a typical buyer, too many Illinois families are locked out of homeownership before they ever get a fair shot,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “My bill, the First Home Affordability Act, provides a refundable tax credit of up to $25,000 to help first-time buyers cover upfront costs like down payments and closing costs. At a moment when rising costs are pushing families out of the market, this legislation keeps homeownership within reach—and protects one of the clearest paths to stability and a middle-class life.”
