Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Report: Jan Schakowsky expected to announce retirement next month (Updated x3)

Posted in:

Illinois
Updated Posts

* Not at all unexpected. Politico…

Rep. Jan Schakowsky is planning to announce next month she won’t seek reelection after 14 terms in the House and has started informing allies of her retirement decision, according to two people granted anonymity to describe the private conversations.

The veteran Illinois Democrat, 80, confirmed in a statement that an announcement is forthcoming, though she did not say what it would entail: “I’m going to announce my plans on May 5th. Stay tuned,” she said. Schakowsky’s annual Ultimate Women’s Power Lunch is set for that date in Chicago. […]

Schakowsky’s decision to retire comes as Democrats face an internal reckoning over age and seniority as seasoned lawmakers face primary challengers who are arguing for generational change. On Wednesday, longtime Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, also 80, announced his own retirement. And David Hogg recently sparked a firestorm in the party by saying he’d put millions towards primary challenges to Democrats in safe seats, though he said he wouldn’t back challenges to Schakowsky or former Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

…Adding From Rich… The simplistic “analysis” by national reporters bugs me to no end sometimes…

…Adding… Politico may have jumped the gun?…

I have not made a decision about my plans for re-election - I will make that decision in the coming weeks and announce on May 5.

— Jan Schakowsky (@RepSchakowsky) April 23, 2025

…Adding from Rich… Axios…

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) has told colleagues she plans to retire rather than seek reelection to a 15th term in Congress, two House Democrats familiar with the matter told Axios.

Yet, she’s still fundraising. Not cool.

posted by Isabel Miller
Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 2:01 pm

Comments

As a constituent, I thank her for her service. It’s time.

Comment by Keyrock Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 2:07 pm
This is a big scoop, wow.

Comment by Alton Sinkhole Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 2:15 pm
Good for her, she did well for the district but it’s time to go. It’ll be good to see the local rising stars announce their candidacy to throw ice on that influencer’s flimsy campaign

Comment by Senator Clay Davis Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 2:15 pm
The race to replace Schakowsky might be more interesting than the race to replace Durbin. I feel like this race will get nastier than the Senate race as many people have been angling for this seat for a long long time and will feel like it is their only shot at going to DC.

Comment by Remember the Alamo II Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 2:18 pm
So, Dan Biss or Laura Fine?

Comment by Save Ferris Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 2:20 pm
Lot of other names thinking about it besides Biss and Fine. Me as a voter - I am #NeverKat

Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 2:22 pm
Countdown until the attention-seeking candidate who doesn’t even live in the district sends me a text taking credit for this…3…2…1….

Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 2:22 pm
The same national reporters may say David Hogg pushed Durbin into retirement

Comment by This Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 2:30 pm
Kat will go the way of Ilya Scheyman. Too young, not a match for the district.

And other baggage as well.

Comment by Save Ferris Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 2:30 pm
@NIU Grad (Go Huskies) - I got the text…

Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 2:35 pm
Schakowsky planning on making an endorsement at the Power Luncheon?

=== Ilya Scheyman ===

A real insult to Ilya.

Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 2:38 pm
-Kat will go the way of Ilya Scheyman-

Before you say Kat is too radical for the district: Jan has had one of the most leftist voting records. The district is very, very gerrymandered to provide a lot of leftist voters. It’s no swing district.

Comment by Steve Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 2:46 pm
Who are the other people who would theoretically run?

Comment by Evanston Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 2:51 pm
Kat Abucarpetbagger has already issued a statement that suggests the congresswoman is/was moving the country “forward on the road to fascism.”

Whether or not she is a serious candidate, it doesn’t seem like she is serious about representing the congressional district she has never lived in.

Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 2:57 pm
I Frumpy White Guy am officially announcing my candidacy for Congress.

Comment by Frumpy White Guy Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 2:57 pm
Not sure how anybody wins this race if they don’t live in Evanston.

Comment by ETHS Math Department Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 2:57 pm
Jan continues to have a strong team and even if she decides not to run, she’ll have a voice in the primary. It’s striking how people who don’t know anything much about the district talk like they know what they’re talking about.

Comment by Socially DIstant Watcher Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 3:04 pm
I’m no fan of Kat but I have to admit she might have a shot in a crowded field. It’s up to the voters. Political endorsements not mean what they used to mean.

Comment by Steve Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 3:05 pm
gonna be at least two north side electeds in addition to some names here, and throw in at least one frumpy white guy (could be the comment above, could be the move)

but if it isn’t a special election, everyone can be in until petitions and then we will see

Comment by sewer thoughts Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 3:06 pm
===she might have a shot in a crowded field. ===

A crowded field is the only shot she has.

Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 3:07 pm
A crowded field works against Kat, especially with multiple progressive types in the field. It siphons people who would vote for her to vote for other progressives.

Comment by 9thdistrictwonk Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 3:12 pm
“Before you say Kat is too radical for the district”

I didn’t say that. My take is that I can’t see a heavily Jewish, middle aged suburban community voting for a 26 year old, brash person with her views on the Middle East.

Comment by Save Ferris Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 3:16 pm
Jan’s been a wonderful Rep. Also smart enough to know when to move on.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 3:20 pm
David Hogg is being ridiculous. shouldn’t he be telling Bernie Sanders to resign?

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 3:24 pm
“David Hogg is being ridiculous.”

Wasn’t he elated that Walz was selected as a VP running mate then angry at Democrats over the results? Someone that petulant is not politically attractive, if that’s what is meant by, “Democrats don’t know how to talk to voters.” What is unattractive is Democratic types throwing their party under the bus for no good reason.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 3:41 pm
==a 26 year old, brash person with her views on the Middle East.==

At least she’s taking those views to Congress instead of Chicago City Council.

Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 3:49 pm
=== …Adding From Rich… The simplistic “analysis” by national reporters bugs me to no end sometimes… ===

Plus 1. Especially, the fundraising part.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 3:53 pm
= Politico may have jumped the gun?=

In the words of Emily Litella, “Nevermind”

Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 3:54 pm
SK being SK

Comment by Ucci Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 4:15 pm
As a constituent, I can look forward to the 2026 election season. It has been years since my vote was a contested race. Hurray for democracy (every 10-20 years at least)

Comment by Unionman Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 4:29 pm
My guess is that New York Times will run a screaming headline tomorrow that “Cat Woman Forces Retirement of Senior of Senior Member of Congress” on the front page. Just kidding but her ability to promote herself in national publications like GQ is very impressive.

But does the Cat Woman know how to pronounce “Paulina?”

Comment by Mary Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 4:47 pm
The district is very different then the liberal bastion Jan first ran in 24 years ago. This district goes all the way to McHenry and takes in many suburban Dems. No need to be from Evanston anymore for this race

Comment by Under the bus Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 5:03 pm
the reason she has to keep it together is that if she allowed the reporting to stand, she couldn’t collect more pledges into checks for the luncheon. FEC don’t take kindly to that.

axios had two House Democrats as confirming sources - the call was coming from inside the House

Comment by sewer thoughts Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 5:25 pm
An influencer with no ties to the community will be hard pressed to beat more established progressives like Jen Gong-Gershowitz or Dan Biss. The district maybe progressive but it is also full of folks who have enough at stake that they won’t throw their vote away on a carpetbagger who could fit in on the White Lotus.

Comment by Barbie Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 5:34 pm
-No need to be from Evanston anymore for this race-

True, you need GPS to figure out in many places who’s district you are in. That’s gerrymandering for you. The Wilmette Golf Course is in two congressional districts.

Comment by Steve Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 6:50 pm
As “Bill” once said: the streets of Evanston will run red with Merlot. Bring forth the roving bands of Brie eaters.

Comment by ZC Wednesday, Apr 23, 25 @ 8:00 pm
There’s very little chance that Biss doesn’t win, right? If he doesn’t, it’s not gonna be because of Kat

Comment by Cole Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 10:34 am
ZC that is hilarious

Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 10:46 am
Okay. This newsletter is not going to edit itself (unless I run it through ChatGPT. Hmmm…)

Seriously, could someone very smart please explain what happens to Jan’s campaign chest if she does not run? I mean, she was raising under federal rules, so wouldn’t that mean all her dollars can be transferred to help any federal candidate?

Inquiring (and mildly lazy) minds want to know.

Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Apr 24, 25 @ 11:06 am