2026 Illinois Progressive
Primary Voter Guide

• Medicare for All; abolish ICE outright
• $25/hour federal minimum wage
• Tax millionaires and billionaires; expand EITC
• Birth Equity Initiative; reproductive rights; gun safety
• John Lewis Voting Rights Act
• Pledged no corporate PAC money (but affiliated PAC received corporate funds)

1. JB Pritzker — $5M to IL Future PAC + $3,500 direct
2. Jennifer Pritzker — $1.1M to IL Future PAC
3. Jerry Reinsdorf (White Sox/Bulls) — Known Republican donor ⭐
4. CoreCivic (private prison/ICE contractor) — $135K+ to affiliated PAC ⭐
5. PNS Management / Niranjan Shah — $20K to PAC; Blagojevich scandal-linked
6. Not individually itemized in press

Gov. JB Pritzker, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, IL House Speaker Welch, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, IL Federation of Teachers

• Medicare for All
• Abolish ICE and dismantle DHS
• Tax billionaires; raise min wage to $17/hr
• Cap childcare costs; strengthen Social Security
• Called Israel's actions in Gaza "genocide" (only frontrunner to do so)
• Pledged to reject AIPAC money; filed impeachment articles against DHS Sec. Noem
• John Lewis Voting Rights Act; codify DOJ independence

1. Congressional Black Caucus PAC
2. BradyPAC (gun safety)
3. Sen. Cory Booker (NJ) — Individual contributor/endorser
4. Sen. Chris Murphy (CT) — Individual contributor/endorser
5. Not individually itemized in press

• Expand healthcare affordability (not Medicare for All)
• Abolish "Trump's ICE" through reform (not outright abolition)
• Raise minimum wage to $17/hr
• First-time homebuyer tax credits; free school lunch
• Block corporate mergers; congressional stock trading ban; term limits
• Two-state solution on Gaza; refuses to apply "genocide" label; China hawk

1. Kirkland & Ellis attorneys (aggregate) — ~$1.4M career total
2. Sanford Perl (Kirkland & Ellis) — $9,700; gave $142,500 to RNC ⭐
3. Shyam Sankar (Palantir CTO) — $29,300 — later returned; ICE contractor ⭐
4. Marc Andreessen — Trump adviser ⭐
5. Michael Pillsbury (Heritage Foundation) — $5K; Project 2025-linked ⭐
6. Brij Sharma (Republican Hindu Coalition) — $6,500+ ⭐
7. Trump/MAGA donors (aggregate) — $90K+ total confirmed ⭐
8. Corporate PACs (aggregate) — $120K+: Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, Union Pacific, NextEra, T-Mobile, Booz Allen Hamilton ⭐
9. Niranjan Shah / PNS Management — Blagojevich scandal-linked
10. Real estate / tech industry professionals — Not individually itemized

Working-class progressive. Platform centered on working families and labor rights.

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — no named major donors itemized in press; small-dollar grassroots base

Self-funded business owner. Center-left policy stances. No major controversies.

1. Steve Botsford Jr. (self) — majority of fundraising is a personal loan/contribution
2. ⚠ Named outside donors not itemized in press

Anti-war, progressive platform. Minimal fundraising. No major controversies identified.

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — minimal FEC filings; no named donors in press

Activist and attorney. Minimal fundraising. No major controversies identified.

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — minimal FEC filings; no named donors in press

Nonprofit executive. Minimal fundraising. Daughter-in-law of former Rep. Cheri Bustos, who is not supporting her amid an ongoing divorce proceeding.

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — minimal FEC filings; no named donors in press

Deacon and nonprofit leader with Feeding America. Minimal fundraising. No major controversies identified.

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — minimal FEC filings; no named donors in press

Former school social worker. Chair, Senate Progressive Caucus. No professional financial background (cited as main opponent attack).

• Digital advertising tax; graduated income tax constitutional amendment
• Close corporate loopholes
• Use procurement power against ICE/DHS/CBP vendors
• Prioritize payments protecting vulnerable populations
• Prevailing Wage Officer and Labor Law Compliance Liaison
• Support minority/women-owned small businesses
• Keep comptroller and treasurer offices separate

Sen. Bernie Sanders Senate President Harmon Rep. Delia Ramirez Chicago Teachers Union SEIU IL Federation of Teachers Chuy Garcia

1. IL Senate Democratic Fund / Senate Pres. Harmon — $50,000+ aggregate
2. Rep. Delia Ramirez — $50,000+
3. SEIU PAC — "Tens of thousands"
4. IL Federation of Teachers PAC
5. Chicago Teachers Union PAC
6. Other union PACs and progressive individual donors — Not individually itemized

First woman elected Lake County Treasurer. First Korean-American woman elected in Illinois. Office processes $3.2B+ in payments/year; generated $23M+ in investment income FY2023.

• Experience-first platform; maintain/improve state credit rating (upgraded 10x under Mendoza)
• Graduated income tax; phase out paper checks; digital signatures, cybersecurity upgrades
• Expand prevailing wage enforcement
• Keep comptroller and treasurer offices separate

Comptroller Susana Mendoza Rep. Brad Schneider Personal PAC Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss

1. Personal PAC (reproductive rights org.)
2. Rep. Brad Schneider PAC
3. Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss
4. Various unions and local officials — Not individually itemized

Longest-tenured legislator in the race. Marine Corps veteran. Former registered financial advisor. Master's in Public Administration with Government Finance minor.

• Expand Prevailing Wage Division into full "Labor Division" with pre-payment audits
• Increase state reserves to $5B+; cut corporate-benefiting spending
• Graduated income tax; modernize office technology
• Executive order prohibiting AI/automation from eliminating positions
• Open to combining comptroller and treasurer offices if sufficient safeguards exist

United Steelworkers District 7 Multiple labor unions Veterans groups Suburban Democrats

1. United Steelworkers District 7 PAC — Major labor endorser/contributor
2. Own legislative campaign fund transfer — ~$72,000
3. Various labor unions and veterans groups — Not individually itemized

Former Deputy Chief of Staff, IL Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. Former Pritzker campaign staffer and transition team member. Board member of Pritzker's Think Big America 501(c)(4). Cook County Democratic Party Central Committeewoman.

• Fiscal responsibility and balanced budgets
• Modernize office software for end-to-end spending transparency
• Expand rainy day reserves; consider refinancing state pension debt
• Graduated income tax
• Keep comptroller and treasurer offices separate

Gov. JB Pritzker House Speaker Chris Welch Cook County Democratic Party 30+ state House Democrats Chicago Tribune Editorial Board

1. Gov. JB Pritzker — $72,800 max contribution (Feb. 2026)
2. Michael & Cari Sacks — Democratic megadonors; Michael Sacks = CEO of GCM Grosvenor
3. Enova International — ~$14,000; payday lender accused of 100–300% APR loans ⭐
4. Cook County Democratic Party
5. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi
6. Rep. Nikki Budzinski
7. Former Rep. Cheri Bustos
8. Various trade unions and banks — Not individually itemized

• Medicare for All; housing as a human right
• Raise federal minimum wage; Green New Deal
• Comprehensive gun reform; gun manufacturer accountability
• DACA path to citizenship; eliminate student loan debt
• Strongly anti-AIPAC (AIPAC spent ~$500K against her in 2024)
• "Fair wages, clean air and water, economy that centers people over profit"

1. Small-dollar progressive grassroots donors — No named major institutional donors identified in press

2020: 14% | 2022: 46% (2nd place) | 2024: 19% (3rd place)

• Medicare for All with focus on Black maternal health outcomes
• Universal childcare; federal jobs guarantee
• Anti-gun violence (personal losses to gun violence)
• Strongly anti-AIPAC: "The 7th District is not for sale. My community is not for sale."
• Push Democratic Party in a more progressive direction

1. SEIU Illinois State Council (affiliated) — His union; primary organizational backer
2. Not individually itemized in press

• Universal healthcare (path toward Medicare for All)
• Large-scale federal investment in affordable/public housing
• Federal assault weapons ban; universal background checks
• Student debt forgiveness; federal rental assistance and eviction protections
• Clean energy investment; comprehensive immigration reform
• Signature issue: 30-year life expectancy gap between Englewood and Streeterville
• No corporate PAC money pledge

1. Martin Nesbitt — Co-CEO of Vistria Group; Obama bundler
2. William Daley — Former Commerce Secretary and Obama Chief of Staff
3. Diana Rauner — $1,000 — wife of former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner ⭐
4. John Legend (singer) — $5,000 aggregate
5. Leadership Greater Chicago alumni network
6. J Street PAC — Progressive pro-Israel PAC; endorsed Fisher
7. 314 Action — Pro-science PAC; endorser/donor
8. Not individually itemized in press

Chicago Tribune Editorial Board 314 Action J Street PAC

• Expand/defend ACA; lower prescription drug costs; community health centers
• Protect Social Security and Medicare; lower taxes on working families/small businesses
• Affordable housing; humane immigration reform
• Voted for IL Digital Assets and Consumer Protection Act (regulating crypto)
• Supports supervised drug-use sites to reduce overdoses; hemp/THC product regulation

1. Illinois AFL-CIO / Labor unions
2. Chicago Teachers Union
3. SEIU
4. IL Federation of Teachers
5. AFSCME
6. 33+ IL House and Senate members — Individual endorsers/contributors
7. IL House Speaker Chris Welch
8. Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford
9. West Side mayors and suburban officials

• Expand homeownership pathways; grow small businesses; manufacturing jobs
• Wealth tax on billionaires; close loopholes; lower healthcare costs
• Support apprenticeships and fair wages; fund violence-prevention programs
• Protect Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP from Trump cuts
• Has not staked out hard left positions on Israel/Gaza

1. ⭐ United Democracy Project (AIPAC super PAC) — $1.5M–$2.8M in independent TV ads supporting her ⭐
2. Chicago Teachers Union PAC — $72,800 to her Democratic committeeman fund
3. Firefighters Local 2 — Endorser/contributor
4. Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot
5. Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia
6. Not individually itemized in press

• Lower cost of living; expand affordable housing; eliminate food deserts
• Lower prescription drug costs; federal assault weapons ban
• Increase violence prevention programs; crack down on corruption
• Create union manufacturing jobs; multi-faceted approach to public safety
• Supported repeal of Cook County soda tax in 2017

1. Self (Richard Boykin) — $192,351 personal contribution in Q4 2025
2. Willie Wilson — Repeat Chicago mayoral candidate, $3,500
3. Anan Abu-Taleb — Former Oak Park Village president, $1,000
4. James Taglia — Oak Park trustee, $500
5. Italian American Police Association — Endorser/donor (law enforcement org.) ⭐
6. Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas — Individual endorsement
7. Not individually itemized in press

Willie Wilson Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas

• Jobs and trade school investment; pro-union; improve education funding
• Constituent services-focused; affordable housing and infrastructure
• Bring federal dollars back to Chicago
• Signed letter condemning Chicago's Gaza cease-fire resolution
• Has not championed Medicare for All or other progressive flagship policies

1. Finance, real estate & law professionals — 61% of all donors, ~$1.1M aggregate
2. Craig Duchossois — Chicago businessman/philanthropist
3. Mario Tricoci — Hair salon/spa mogul
4. Rich & Martha Melman — Lettuce Entertain You restaurateur
5. 29+ AIPAC-linked donors — ~$140,000 aggregate via pro-Israel donor network ⭐
6. Restaurant/hospitality sector — Six-figure aggregate
7. Healthcare sector — Six-figure aggregate
8. Senior housing/nursing home interests — ~$128,000
9. Not individually named in press

• Medicare for All; publicly owned grocery stores
• Ban landlord algorithmic rent-setting; abolish ICE
• Prohibit U.S. weapons sales to Israel; recognize Palestine
• Make first $50K of income tax-free; tax millionaires/billionaires
• Term limits for Congress; impeach Trump
• Fight AI data centers; codify abortion rights

1. Self-loan — $25,000
2. Small-dollar progressive donors — No named major donors in press

• Medicare for All; federal medical debt forgiveness
• Extend CTA Blue Line westward; major I-290 corridor public works
• Universal preschool; clean energy; school broadband
• Reform ICE; expand citizenship pathways; student loan forgiveness

Mayors of Melrose Park, River Forest, Westchester, Hillside, North Riverside + 17 Proviso Township officials

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — no named major donors itemized in press; mostly small-dollar municipal network

• Medicare for All; full medical debt forgiveness
• Raise minimum wage to ~$30/hour; reparations with direct cash payments
• Abolish ICE; support DACA; support small businesses over corporations
• Strongly anti-AIPAC ("disgraceful," "insidious")

1. Anabel Mendoza (self-loan) — $13,450
2. ⚠ Named outside donors not itemized in press beyond self-loan

• H.E.A.L. Act: universal healthcare, free public education from childcare through trade school
• Living wage with small business tax credits; expanded government access
• Block ICE detention funding via appropriations riders in first 100 days

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — minimal FEC filings; no named donors in press

• Anti-corruption as signature issue
• Expand Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (signature housing policy)
• Medicare access expansion; healthcare reform

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — minimal FEC filings; no named donors in press

• Created "Vote Our Way" app — constituents vote on legislation bill-by-bill and he follows results
• Core pitch: "It's not my job to come up with the agenda. It's the people's job to tell me."
• Supports universal healthcare coverage

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — minimal to no FEC filings reported

Medicare for All; abolish ICE; Pretrial Fairness Act author (ended cash bail in IL); raise minimum wage; fund violence-prevention and safety-net hospitals; workers' rights (child labor protections, temp worker protections); anti-AIPAC; calls Gaza situation genocide; anti-corporate PAC. Touts 120+ bills passed in Springfield.

~$903K raised (2nd in field); grassroots-heavy — 20,600+ individual donors, average ~$27 online. Cash on hand: $370K+.

1. Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Cory Booker
2. David Hogg (Leaders We Deserve PAC — first endorsement of 2026 cycle)
3. Progressive organizations and labor groups

• ⚠️ AIPAC hypocrisy claim: Jewish Insider reported Peters privately met with AIPAC officials and submitted an Israel position paper early in his campaign — much more moderate than his current rhetoric. Opponent Preston confronted him publicly: "He sought their support — they just didn't give it to him."
• ⚠️ Lives outside district: Resides several blocks outside the 2nd District boundaries in Hyde Park

Expand access to healthcare (favors ACA expansion; has waffled on Medicare for All); lower cost of living; affordable housing including third Chicago airport (Peotone focus shared with Jackson); expand trade and union apprenticeships; violence prevention; women's health and reproductive rights. Generally moderate, center-left positioning.

Fundraising leader in the race — over $1M+ raised (surging to lead in Q4 2025). Majority from out-of-state donors.

1. ⭐ AIPAC/pro-Israel network — at least $875K from donors who gave to AIPAC or United Democracy Project since 2023; super PAC "Affordable Chicago Now!" and "Elect Chicago Women" running coordinated outside ads in her favor
2. ⭐ Multiple out-of-state Trump-aligned donors (per Peters campaign FEC analysis)

• ⚠️ AIPAC funding storm: $875K+ from AIPAC-linked donors; skipped candidate forums to attend fundraisers; opponents accuse her of being bought by pro-Israel lobby and Trump-allied money
• ⚠️ Lives outside district: Critics note she doesn't live in the 2nd District
• ⚠️ Medicare for All waffling: Has shifted positions — declined to firmly commit at forums

Economic development via third Chicago airport at Peotone (signature issue — "unfinished work"); expand/evolve ACA (add dental, vision, hearing — not Medicare for All); address maternal care crisis; constitutional amendments for right to vote, healthcare, education, full employment; "Trump-proof" the Constitution; easing pardons for ex-offenders; mental health investment. Anti-MAGA but center-left on most issues.

Lower fundraising capacity than top rivals; ran largely on name recognition. Led early polling at 21% (July 2025 poll); campaign finance seen as a challenge.

1. Former Rep. Bobby Rush (major endorsement, called him "most qualified")

• ⚠️ Federal prison conviction (2013): Found guilty of spending $750,000 in campaign funds on personal expenses including furs, vacations, and memorabilia. Served 23 months. He has repaid the government and repeatedly addressed this publicly: "I pled guilty to the crimes that were before me."
• ⚠️ Mental health history: Disclosed lifelong depression; resigned from Congress in 2012 due to mental health issues. Has been open about his struggles.
• ⚠️ Lives outside district: Spent time in D.C.; critics note he's less connected to South Side now

Jobs, trade schools, and workforce development for Southland; support local farmers; world-class neighborhoods on the South Side. Self-described "most bipartisan state senator in Illinois." Pushed back against Chicago spending on migrants, arguing Black communities have "not gotten their fair share." Third Chicago airport supporter. Has been combative and populist in style.

Among top four fundraisers in the race. Construction company owner background.

• ⚠️ Past domestic violence charge: Reports surfaced of a prior domestic violence charge — he called it "the least proud moment" of his life
• ⚠️ Past Biden social media comments: Previous disparaging online comments about former President Biden raised questions about judgment
• ⚠️ Lives outside district: Resides in Auburn Gresham, outside the 2nd District boundaries

1. Construction industry network — Preston owns a construction firm; labor-adjacent donor base likely but specific donors not itemized in press
2. ⚠ Named individual donors not itemized in press — raised five-figure sums, significantly behind Peters/Miller

Environmental justice; clean water; safe streets; affordable healthcare; living wage jobs; strong public schools. Grassroots roots in the district.

Raised five-figure sums per Tribune; polled 2nd at 11% in a July 2025 poll (behind Jackson). Lifelong resident credential — lives in the district.

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — five-figure fundraising; specific donors not itemized in press

Secured millions in federal funding for local governments and nonprofits while in Kelly's office. Constituent services and funding delivery focus. Supports progressive policy broadly.

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — lower-tier fundraiser; no named donors in press

At forums: supported raising corporate tax rates, billionaire wealth tax, reducing military spending, repealing federal death penalty, police accountability, abolishing forced prison labor, AI regulation.

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — lower-tier fundraiser; no named donors in press

Limited public information available. Attorney background.

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — minimal public profile; no named donors in press

Did not respond to Sun-Times/WBEZ questionnaire. Minimal public information available.

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — no FEC filings or press coverage of donors

Previously ran for IL Secretary of State in 2022. Did not respond to Sun-Times/WBEZ questionnaire.

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — no named donors in press

Minimal public information available. Lower-tier candidate in this race.

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — no FEC filings or press coverage of donors

Medicare for All; abolish ICE; fix affordable housing crisis; make billionaires pay their fair share; anti-corporate PAC (no corporate money pledge); fight authoritarianism; pro-Palestinian rights (calls Gaza situation genocide; strongly anti-AIPAC); no individual stocks pledge. Framed campaign as generational change — "I didn't wait in line or ask for permission." Converted campaign office to mutual aid hub during ICE operations.

$2.7M raised — fundraising leader in the race (through Dec. 31, 2025). All grassroots — no corporate PAC money. Massive small-dollar online base driven by social media following.

1. Justice Democrats
2. Rep. Ro Khanna
3. Former Rep. Jamaal Bowman
4. Peace, Accountability, and Leadership PAC (pro-Palestine national PAC)

• ⚠️ Federal indictment (Oct. 2025): Indicted on 2 federal felony counts — conspiracy to impede a federal officer and forcibly impeding an ICE officer at Broadview ICE facility (Sept. 26, 2025). Pleaded not guilty. Trial set for May 2026 (after primary). Charges: protesters allegedly surrounded ICE vehicle, banged on it, etched "PIG" in paint, broke a mirror. Abughazaleh is accused of pressing her hands on the hood and using her body to block the vehicle. Faces up to ~8 years if convicted. She calls it a "political prosecution" by the Trump DOJ.
• ⚠️ Moved to Chicago in 2024: Originally from Texas; moved after being laid off from Media Matters — critics question district roots

17% in RoundTable/PPP poll (Feb. 20–21), narrowing gap with Biss in March poll. 2nd in fundraising lead suggests strong organizing capacity.

Abolish ICE; Medicare for All; boost federal affordable housing funding; expand Social Security benefits; ban stock trading by members of Congress (signed Political Integrity Project pledge; holds no individual stocks); stricter carbon efficiency standards; preserve abortion access; anti-Trump immigration enforcement. Endorsed retiring Rep. Schakowsky. Confronted Border Patrol Chief at Evanston gas station during enforcement activity.

~$2M raised (near top of field). Evanston and district-establishment backed.

1. Individual donors — 75%+ from Illinois (highest in-state ratio of any top candidate); 80%+ of total since launch
2. 314 Action Fund (STEM/science PAC) — ~$300K+ outside spending; primary outside backer
3. Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC — outside spending
4. Medicare for All PAC — outside spending
5. J Street Action Fund — ~$98K outside spending (explicitly to counter AIPAC ECW spending for Fine)
6. Total aligned outside spending: ~$1M+ combined (all disclosed progressive PACs)

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (retiring incumbent) · Illinois AFL-CIO · Multiple state legislators · Evanston Democratic establishment

• ⚠️ Stepping-stone criticism: Critics argue he's used Evanston as a political launching pad after Springfield and a failed gubernatorial run
• ⚠️ AIPAC recruitment allegation: Jewish Insider reported Biss sought AIPAC support before pivoting to a less pro-Israel stance. Biss says AIPAC tried to recruit him and he refused.
• ⚠️ FEC complaint filed against him: Fine surrogate Carol Ronen filed an FEC complaint alleging Biss violated rules by using his state committee to send mailers promoting his federal congressional campaign.

Leads in multiple polls: 24% (RoundTable/PPP, Feb 20–21); led in internal Biss poll at 31%. Highest name recognition and net favorability (+28) in the field. Latest poll shows Abughazaleh narrowing gap.

Medicare for All (nominally supports); protect consumers from special interests; raise federal minimum wage; federal assault weapons ban; mental health services expansion; fought insurance industry and corporate polluters in Springfield. Took on insurance industry after husband's serious car crash. Journalism background.

~$1.9M raised through end of 2025; spent ~$1.6M Jan.–Feb. 2026 as race entered final stretch. Outside spending: AIPAC "Elect Chicago Women" PAC has spent $5.1M+ supporting her (with ~$3.8M supporting her, ~$1.4M attacking Biss) — by far the largest outside intervention in any IL-9 race. Plus "Elect Democratic Women" PAC spent ~$500K in TV ads for Fine on March 3.

1. AIPAC donor network — 984 donors (67% of her individual donors) have also given to AIPAC or UDP; 849 (86%) from outside Illinois; AIPAC-linked donors account for 73% of her $1.9M in total receipts ⭐
2. Trump donors (aggregate) — Biss campaign confirmed ~$60,000 from donors who also gave to Trump ⭐
3. AIPAC board President Michael Tuchin — hosted a personal fundraiser on her behalf ⭐
4. "Elect Chicago Women" super PAC — $5.1M+ outside spending (AIPAC-linked dark money; donors not disclosed until Mar. 20) ⭐
5. "Elect Democratic Women" super PAC — ~$500K in TV ads (undisclosed donors)
6. "Chicago Progressive Partnership" PAC — $165,000 in attack ads targeting Abughazaleh (same vendors as Elect Chicago Women; suspected AIPAC shell) ⭐

• ⚠️ AIPAC's largest IL-9 investment / Trump donor network: 73% of her fundraising tied to AIPAC donor network; Biss confirmed ~$60K from donors who also gave to Trump. Biss at debate: "Your campaign is bankrolled by AIPAC and MAGA donors." Fine: "I don't know who a Trump donor is who's donating." Evanston Mayor Biss is a descendant of Holocaust survivors, has called Netanyahu's government's actions "atrocities."
• ⚠️ Attended AIPAC board president fundraiser while claiming independence from AIPAC: Fine publicly asked ECW to "reveal who their donors are" — while having already attended a fundraiser hosted by AIPAC board president Michael Tuchin.
• ⚠️ Stock trading: Holds individual stocks including Eli Lilly, Live Nation, Microsoft, Nvidia — has not signed the congressional stock trading ban pledge that Biss and Abughazaleh signed.

16% in RoundTable/PPP poll (Feb. 20–21). Fell behind Abughazaleh in more recent March poll. Internal Fine poll (Jan.) showed her tied with Biss at 21%.

Progressive policy platform; focus on equity, community investment, and opportunity. Obama Foundation background. Led fiery challenge to Fine at forums over her AIPAC-linked donor network and Trump-donating donors. Campaign explicitly rejected AIPAC, all corporate PACs, charter school PACs, fossil fuel, for-profit prisons, and pharma contributions.

1. Small-dollar grassroots donors — campaign explicitly rejected all corporate/special interest money
2. No large institutional PAC donors; no AIPAC-linked donors

Medicare for All; abolish ICE; increase path to citizenship; establish anti-war federal policy; increase federal education funding; "Bushra Blueprint." Has attended Broadview ICE protests. If elected, would be one of the youngest members of Congress and first Muslim woman from Illinois.

1. Grassroots donor base — campaign highlights strong in-district donor base; no large corporate or AIPAC-linked institutional donors itemized in press
2. Muslim/progressive donor network — national Muslim and progressive community support given her platform and background

Gun safety as signature issue (personal survivor of Laurie Dann school shooting at age 10); public safety reform; national security experience. Endorsed by Bruce Leon after Leon dropped out.

1. Phil Andrew (self-loan) — $400,000 personal loan to campaign
2. Bruce Leon (Chicago 50th Ward Democratic Committeeman, dropped out of race and endorsed Andrew) — previously self-loaned $800,000 to his own dropped campaign; after endorsing Andrew, backed "Leading Democracy Inc." PAC for him ⭐ (Leon is a pro-Israel Democrat; his $800K self-fund was the largest self-loan in the race before he dropped out)
3. "Leading Democracy Inc." super PAC — ~$262,500 outside spending; created Feb. 2026; funded by Leon family member William Andrew (Middletown, Ohio, $100K) + six Wilmette residents

Reduce property tax burdens; protect Medicare access; ease public transportation expenses; housing affordability. First Vietnamese American elected to Illinois General Assembly. Lives in the district (Rogers Park). First refugee elected to IL office.

1. Hoan Huynh (self-loan) — $200,000 personal loan to campaign
2. Progressive grassroots donors — remainder of fundraising base; no large corporate or AIPAC-linked institutional donors identified in press

Revenue-neutral income and child care bill as signature proposal. Met with AIPAC but did not receive support after declining to commit to unconditional aid to Israel.

1. Jeff Cohen (self-loan) — $500,000 personal loan (largest self-loan in race among active candidates at year end)
2. Individual donors — primarily Evanston-area residents; no large outside PAC donors

Halted his campaign but has not formally withdrawn from the ballot. Will still appear on March 17. Civil rights, disability rights, human rights focus. Deaf himself.

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — campaign halted before significant filings

Military veteran; limited public policy platform information.

1. Sam Polan (self-loan) — significant personal loan per FEC debt disclosures
2. Small-dollar donors — no large institutional donors identified in press

Federal prosecution background. Limited public platform beyond rule-of-law focus.

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — minimal FEC filings reported in press

Minimal campaign profile. Evanston-based candidate.

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — did not file FEC reports at significant threshold

Environmental and public health focus; union organizing background.

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — no significant FEC filings reported in press

Did not file with FEC as of Dec. 9, 2025. Deep Evanston roots.

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — did not file with FEC

Minimal public information. Did not file with FEC as of Dec. 9, 2025.

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — did not file with FEC

Grew up in Little Village; parents born in Mexico; attended Chicago Public Schools. Before Congress, was VP of Programs & Operations at the Latino Center for Leadership Development and Deputy Director of Constituency Services at NALEO Educational Fund, training Latino policymakers. Became García's District Director on his first day in office in January 2019; promoted to Chief of Staff in January 2023. No prior elected experience.

Dismantle the deportation machine; pathway to citizenship for immigrants; lower cost of living; relief for working families on rent, food, and utilities; hold billionaires accountable; continue Chuy García's progressive legacy. Experience: transportation, infrastructure, and education policy. Endorsed by Chuy García: "no training required."

Raised ~$122,500 in Q4 2025. Also benefiting from Chuy García’s political infrastructure and network. Guaranteed Democratic nomination. Second independent challenge (Mayra Macías, former Latino Victory Project ED) also raised ~$125K Q4.

1. Rep. Chuy García’s political network — institutional backing; ~50% of contributions from a committee transfer per Capitol Fax
2. Progressive Latino organizations and community donors
3. ⚠ Named individual donors not itemized in press; majority of early fundraising from committee transfers

1. Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García (retiring incumbent, handpicked successor)
2. Rep. Delia Ramírez
3. Our Revolution

• ⚠️ "Back-room deal" accusation: Ald. Sigcho-Lopez and other Democrats accused García of staging an "anti-democratic" maneuver by waiting until the filing deadline to withdraw, ensuring Patty Garcia was the only Democrat on the primary ballot. ABC7 political analyst Laura Washington: "He basically gamed the system." U.S. House voted to formally rebuke Chuy García 238–186.
• ⚠️ No elected experience: Critics note she has never held elected office. ABC7: "She doesn't have any elected experience or legislative experience. She's going to be pretty green on that side of the aisle."
• ⚠️ Faces November challenge: Despite guaranteed Democratic nomination, she will face Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (democratic socialist, Mayor Brandon Johnson ally, 25th Ward) as an independent in the November general election — a potentially serious contest in a D+17 district where all three votes come from progressive Democrats

Will not appear on March 17 primary ballot — must gather at least 10,816 valid petition signatures to qualify for the November general election. Called the Patty Garcia arrangement an "anti-democratic back room deal." If he qualifies, will run as an independent in November against guaranteed Democratic nominee Patty Garcia and Republican Lupe Castillo. Given D+17 district, a three-way race between two progressive Democrats and a Republican could be highly competitive.

Medicare for All (expand Medicaid to all uninsured); end all U.S. military aid to Israel; Palestinian self-determination; abolish and replace ICE; restore and expand federal funding (early childhood education, senior nutrition, veterans); protect voting rights; tax cuts for working families; clean energy investment; cancel student loan debt; raise federal minimum wage. No corporate or PAC contributions.

~$1.2M raised (2nd in field, nearly tied with Bean). Grassroots-focused; organized protests against McHenry County Jail as ICE detention facility under Biden.

1. Sen. Bernie Sanders
2. Sen. Elizabeth Warren
3. State Sen. Cristina Castro

• ⚠️ Lost badly in 2022: Challenged Krishnamoorthi in 2022, got 30% — lost by ~40 points. Some question whether he can expand his coalition beyond the progressive base in a D+5 swing-ish district

Healthcare rights; LGBTQ+ rights; reproductive freedoms; resist Trump attacks on all three. At forums: "We've seen health care under attack, LGBT rights under attack, reproductive freedoms under attack — I've been involved in taking steps to push back against every one of those attacks." Progressive focus on rights and accountability.

~$380K raised through Q3 2025; ~$201K on hand Sept. 30, 2025. Campaign is small-dollar grassroots focused; no corporate PAC money pledge. Endorsement from former Republican (now Democrat) Rep. Joe Walsh, who attacked Bean as "silent for the last decade while Trump ripped the Constitution."

1. Small-dollar grassroots donors — explicitly no corporate PAC money
2. Former Rep. Joe Walsh endorsement — notable given Walsh’s prior Republican background
3. Named individual donors not itemized in press

Business-oriented "common-sense solutions"; women's rights; protect seniors; insurance reform (mother was denied coverage — personal motivation); lower interest rates; opposes Trump tariffs and "chaos of putting ICE on the streets." Decries Trump policies broadly but frames himself as pragmatic private-sector problem-solver.

~$1.2M raised (near-tied with Ahmed for 2nd). Had $495K banked Sept. 30, 2025; has spent heavily on veteran campaign staff including chief strategist Bill Hyers.

1. 8th District community members and constituents — self-described donor base per campaign
2. Small business and tech sector donors (immigrant entrepreneur network)
3. Named individual donors not itemized in press; no reported AIPAC-linked or corporate PAC money

1. Rep. Danny Davis (retiring incumbent, IL-7)

Protect and strengthen ACA; let Medicare negotiate prescription drug prices; reverse Medicaid cuts; federal education funding; workforce training and apprenticeships; comprehensive immigration reform; regulate AI and cryptocurrency; protect voting rights; defend abortion access; marriage equality. Supports two-state solution on Israel/Gaza. Was called "Wall Street's favorite Democrat" in her congressional tenure; played key role in drafting Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform provisions.

$1.3M raised (fundraising leader at start of 2026). Plus $3.4M+ in AIPAC-linked outside spending from "Elect Chicago Women" super PAC — the single largest outside intervention in any IL-8 race.

1. Sen. Tammy Duckworth
2. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
3. Reps. Bill Foster, Brad Schneider

• ⚠️ AIPAC/outside money dominance: $3.4M+ in outside spending from AIPAC-linked "Elect Chicago Women" super PAC; 57% of her individual donors (314 people) have also given to AIPAC or UDP since 2021; 87% of those AIPAC-linked donors are from outside Illinois; AIPAC-linked donations = 39%+ of her total receipts. American Prospect: "Once called Wall Street's favorite Democrat."
• ⚠️ 16-year gap from Congress: Left office in 2011; opponents argue the political landscape has fundamentally changed since her tenure
• ⚠️ Corporate finance career: Post-Congress jobs at JPMorgan Chase and Mesirow Financial — opponents attack as "out of touch" and too close to Wall Street interests
• ⚠️ Israel/Gaza stance: Declined to give yes/no answers on WBEZ policy survey; says she supports two-state solution but won't commit to arms conditions

Local government experience; constituent services focus; graduated from Lake Park High School; former librarian at Schaumburg Township District Library. Endorsed by State Rep. Anna Moeller.

~$292K raised through Q3 2025; $162K on hand. Has some campaign debt. Strong local name recognition credential in district.

1. Named individual donors not itemized in press — grassroots and district-based donor network
2. ⚠ No named major institutional donors in press; no reported AIPAC-linked money

Protect voting rights; lower taxes on working families; universal early childhood education; raise federal minimum wage; invest in clean energy; protect abortion access; supports immigration reform. Business and education policy focus.

Lower tier. Immigrant story — came from India as a child, grew up in Des Plaines.

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — lower-tier fundraiser; named donors not itemized in press

Rule of law as signature issue: "I'm the only person in the race with experience practicing law — that's important when the rule of law is at stake." Military background framed as relevant to Trump's imperial use of the military. Left federal service in protest of Trump policies.

~$635K raised through Q3 2025 (largely self-funded: $490,500 in personal loans); $504K on hand. Hired veteran campaign manager William Gorski.

1. Dan Tully (self) — $490,500 in personal loans — primary funding source
2. Named outside donors not itemized in press beyond self-loans

Would be one of the youngest members of Congress if elected. National security and rule of law background from DOJ. Limited public platform details available. Left DOJ in protest of Trump policies.

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — lower-tier fundraiser; named donors not itemized in press

First Black woman elected Cook County Board President (2010). Former history teacher for 10 years; former South Side 4th Ward alderman for nearly 20 years — one of City Council's few independent voices under Mayor Daley. Defeated corrupt incumbent Todd Stroger in 2010 as a reformer. Has now held the office for 16 years, seeking a 5th four-year term. As party chair, she controls judicial slating and wields enormous influence over Democratic primaries countywide.

Key accomplishments: 15 consecutive balanced budgets with no county property tax increase; county pension fund ~66% funded (double some city funds); 4 bond rating upgrades since 2021; erased $600M+ in medical debt for 500,000+ residents; guaranteed income pilot (3,000+ households); helped eliminate cash bail in Illinois (Pretrial Fairness Act); "ICE-free zones" executive order during Trump-era immigration sweeps; fought ICE's "Operation: Midway Surge" in court.

Defend Cook County's public health system from federal Medicaid cuts (county set aside $320M reserves + $70M for potential Medicaid losses); protect county residents from Trump administration policies; continue fiscal discipline; maintain county as sanctuary from ICE. Framing: "Trump's declared war on us. We need somebody who's going to stand up to him."

Raised $2.6M over the past year (trails Reilly’s $3.5M, but leads in institutional/party infrastructure). Entered 2026 with $614K on hand.

1. SEIU Illinois PAC — ~$350,000 (largest single donor; longtime union ally)
2. Gov. JB Pritzker — $250,000 via his trust
3. Senate President Don Harmon — $100,000
4. International Association of Operating Engineers — $100,000
5. Chicago Federation of Labor — significant contributor
6. Construction and trade unions — broad labor coalition
7. Quintin Primo (Capri Investment Group) — real estate donor
8. Michael Fassnacht (Clayco) — real estate donor

1. Gov. JB Pritzker
2. Multiple major unions
3. South and West Side clergy (dozens)
4. Springfield state legislative allies

⚠️ Notably did not seek Chicago Teachers Union endorsement this cycle (CTU backed her in past races)

• ⚠️ Tyler Technologies disaster: County's $30M/3-year contract to upgrade the property tax system turned into an 11-year, $100M+ debacle. Property tax bills went out 4+ months late in 2025, forcing school districts (including CPS) to take out short-term loans costing ~$120M in interest — effectively a de facto property tax increase on homeowners. Preckwinkle: "The hard work is now done." Bills going out on time in 2026. Chicago Tribune endorsed Reilly partly over this.
• ⚠️ ICE data contract: Preckwinkle renewed a contract with a data company that shares information with ICE and other federal agencies while simultaneously declaring "ICE-free zones" — criticized as hypocritical by Reilly and several county commissioners who abstained from the vote.
• ⚠️ Soda tax legacy: Supported and implemented a countywide soda tax that was hugely unpopular and repealed after public backlash — still cited by Reilly as evidence of poor judgment on taxes.
• ⚠️ Electronic monitoring system: Defended county's electronic monitoring program amid controversy after an arson attack on a CTA train by a man on electronic monitoring.
• ⚠️ Kim Foxx ties: Foxx was Preckwinkle's former chief of staff and mentee; Reilly endorsed Republican challenger Patrick O'Brien against Foxx in 2020 state's attorney race, citing progressive prosecutorial policies.
• ⚠️ Age & incumbency fatigue: At 79 (turns 79 on primary day, March 17), critics — including Chicago Tribune editorial board — argue it's simply time for new leadership after 16 years.

Downtown Chicago alderman for nearly 20 years. Oversaw Trump International Hotel & Tower construction in his ward (completed 2009). Served as Vice Mayor (president pro tempore) under Rahm Emanuel; grew critical of Lori Lightfoot and backed her opponent Paul Vallas in 2023. Vocal critic of Mayor Brandon Johnson and opponent of proposed property tax hikes. Self-described "independent voice" who frequently votes with the council's more conservative bloc. Backed Republican Patrick O'Brien over Kim Foxx (Preckwinkle's mentee) for state's attorney in 2020.

Make Cook County government more affordable and efficient; fix the Tyler Technologies property tax system failure; increase transparency in county executive decision-making; prioritize ER/trauma care in county health system; ensure "Cook County services are for Cook County residents" (immigration cost-sharing critique). Pro-business, pro-affordability framing; opposes tax increases.

Raised $3.5M over the past year — dominant fundraiser backed by Loop business community. Raised $609K+ since Jan. 1, 2026.

1. Matt Bayer (CEO, MJ Holding Company) — trading card/game firm ⭐
2. Jim Perry (co-founder, Madison Dearborn Partners) — private equity ⭐
3. Alexander Pissios (former Cinespace owner; real estate lender) — $50,000 ⭐
4. Neil Bluhm + Andrew Bluhm + Meredith Bluhm (billionaire real estate family) — $17,000 each ⭐
5. Steve Fifield (Fifield Companies) — real estate developer ⭐
6. John O'Donnell (Riverside Investment) — real estate ⭐
7. John McLinden (Hubbard Street Group) — real estate developer ⭐
8. Scott Greenberg — developer ⭐
9. David Schwartz (Waterton CEO) — real estate investment ⭐
10. David Helfand (Equity Commonwealth REIT CEO) — commercial real estate ⭐
11. Don Wilson (DRW founder) — trading and real estate investment ⭐
12. Rich Melman (Lettuce Entertain You) — restaurateur; also donated to Friedman (IL-7)
13. Howard Labkon (General Iron scrap metal family) ⭐
14. Donald Trump — contributed to Reilly's aldermanic campaign fund; Reilly says donated to charity ⭐⭐
15. Chicago Firefighters union — notable labor endorser amid mostly business-backed field

1. Chicago Tribune editorial board
2. Downtown business community / Loop investors
3. Chicago Firefighters union
4. Willie Wilson (perennial Chicago mayoral candidate)

• ⚠️ Trump donation history: Received campaign contributions from Donald Trump; says he donated those funds to two charities. Preckwinkle's central attack: "He's got long-standing ties to Donald Trump." Preckwinkle also notes Reilly helped put the Trump name on Trump Tower in his ward — Reilly: he was just doing his job as the ward's alderman. Axios: "questionable to align him with the MAGA movement" given overall record.
• ⚠️ Sanctuary city votes: In 2021, voted against expanding Chicago's Welcoming City Ordinance to prohibit police cooperation with ICE in all cases. In January 2025 — just one week before Trump's inauguration — joined conservative alders in an attempt to partially roll back sanctuary city protections. Preckwinkle: "January 15th, and Trump was sworn in on the 21st. It was a week before." Reilly: Biden was still president, so no malicious intent.
• ⚠️ Pro-business = commercial real estate pressure? Critics on the left argue his "affordability" framing masks a desire to shift property tax burden back toward residential owners and away from commercial properties — the pre-Kaegi status quo under Berrios.
• ⚠️ Parking meter deal (2008): Voted in favor of Mayor Daley's infamous 75-year parking meter privatization deal — now widely considered one of Chicago's worst-ever government decisions. Preckwinkle voted against it.
• ⚠️ Anti-Brandon Johnson proxy: The race is framed as a proxy test of the Johnson progressive coalition — Reilly is a fierce critic of Johnson and endorsed Johnson's opponent in 2023. A Reilly win would be a significant blow to the city's progressive establishment.

Ran in 2018 as an outsider reformer against corrupt incumbent Joe Berrios, whose office systematically over-assessed low-income minority homeowners and under-assessed wealthy commercial properties. Won decisively. Financial background: 20 years as a mutual fund portfolio manager and analyst before entering politics.

Key reform accomplishments: University of Chicago study showed near-elimination of assessment regressivity — saved the bottom 70% of homeowners $2 billion cumulatively. Adopted mass-appraisal modeling that more accurately tracks commercial values. Added staff, improved data collection and IT systems. Sought to aggressively assess commercial properties at market value (particularly downtown offices that saw post-COVID value drops).

Continue equity-focused assessment reform; shift to annual reassessment cycle to reduce volatility; improve commercial assessment accuracy (commercial assessments are currently accurate within industry standards but reduced 10–26% on appeal by the Board of Review — Kaegi argues Trump Tower and similar buildings get unfair reductions: "700 dollars was passed on to every single homeowner in Chicago this year because of big reductions like that"); fight commercial over-appeal problem at the Board of Review level; expand data collection and IT systems.

$2.5M+ raised — significant fundraising lead over Hynes (~$1M). Largest donations from his own pocket. Critics note tens of thousands from real estate developers (Stephen Schuler/Wicklow Capital: $25K; K&J Builders: $5K).

1. Chicago Tribune editorial board (endorsed over Hynes)
2. Reform and good-government advocates
3. University of Chicago policy researchers (academic support)

• ⚠️ COVID pandemic adjustment blunder: During COVID, modified all homeowner assessments downward based on expected unemployment and predicted market declines — but the market instead surged dramatically. This created a massive assessment catch-up that contributed to the shocking property tax spikes on the South and West sides (West Garfield Park: +130%). The Sun-Times, WBEZ and others have extensively documented this as a significant unforced error. Kaegi acknowledges the challenge but blames broader market forces and the Board of Review.
• ⚠️ New construction miss: Hynes says Kaegi's office failed to capture thousands of new construction properties on the tax rolls — representing billions in unassessed value that shifted the burden to everyone else. Kaegi counters that municipalities failed to share building permit data in a timely way.
• ⚠️ Late tax bills: Property tax bills were late in both 2022 and 2025 under Kaegi's tenure — contributing (along with the Tyler Technologies failure) to school district cash flow crises.
• ⚠️ Real estate developer donations: Hynes attacks Kaegi for accepting $25K from Wicklow Capital and other real estate interests despite being an assessor.
• ⚠️ Cook County Democratic Party opposition: The county party endorsed Hynes — an unusual move against an incumbent of the same party, reflecting establishment dissatisfaction.

Grew up in Beverly neighborhood; son of a Chicago firefighter and CPS teacher; Br. Rice High School 1990; BS in Real Estate from DePaul. Spent 23 years as a residential field inspector in the Cook County Assessor's office — including time under Berrios and then 3 years under Kaegi himself (making this a race against his former boss). Now in his first term as Lyons Township Assessor; won the 2025 Outstanding Achievement in Property Assessment Award from the Illinois Property Assessment Institute. Certified Illinois Assessment Officer and International Association of Assessing Officers member. Also a volunteer firefighter/EMT.

Family ties: His uncle, Thomas Hynes, was Cook County Assessor for five terms and Illinois Senate President — a deeply embedded machine political pedigree.

"Good clean data" as foundational fix; crack down on missed new construction (claims thousands of new construction properties never added to rolls = billions in lost taxable value); reduce assessment volatility; create a dedicated Department of Economic Development within the Assessor's office; improve accessibility and transparency for working families navigating their bills; work collaboratively with Board of Review for consistent market-based valuations. Against shifting to annual reassessment (says office lacks personnel).

~$1M raised. Notable: ~$60,000 from interests connected to 150 N. Riverside (a riverfront property whose last assessor appeal was rejected in 2018 — when Kaegi took office); $40,000 from David Carlins, CEO of Magellan Development (luxury developer, St. Regis skyscraper). Heavy commercial real estate backing.

1. Cook County Democratic Party (unusual — endorsing against the incumbent)
2. Chicago Federation of Labor
3. BOMA/Chicago (Building Owners and Managers Association — commercial real estate industry)
4. Several South and West Side aldermen
5. Major unions

• ⚠️ Berrios office legacy: Worked 23 years in the Assessor's office — the vast majority under Joe Berrios, whose corrupt regime systematically over-taxed low-income Black and Latino homeowners while letting wealthy commercial owners skate. Chicago Tribune editorial board: Hynes "left us with the sense that he preferred the way Berrios ran this office (sans the corruption) to the way it has been run by the incumbent." Kaegi supporters argue electing Hynes risks reverting to the pre-reform era.
• ⚠️ Commercial real estate money: $60K from 150 N. Riverside interests; $40K from luxury developer Magellan/Carlins; BOMA/Chicago backing = "thumb on the scale for commercial taxpayers," per Tribune. This is the central ideological conflict: Kaegi has tilted toward residential equity; Hynes would tilt back toward commercial interests.
• ⚠️ Thomas Hynes family dynasty: His uncle Tom Hynes was a five-term assessor under the old machine system. Progressive critics see Pat Hynes as a restoration of machine-era politics in the office.
• ⚠️ Machine party backing against reformer: The Cook County Dem Party's endorsement of Hynes over the incumbent is seen by progressives as the machine trying to reassert control over a reform office.

First-time candidate and the only challenger in the 6-year race. Environmental law J.D. and master's in environmental politics. Worked for City of Chicago, EPA, DOJ, and Center for International Environmental Law in law school. Post-graduation: Dale Bryson Water Quality Fellow at Alliance for the Great Lakes; Sierra Club Chicago Water Team volunteer; League of Women Voters Water Issue Specialist. Grew up in a southwest-side home that flooded every time it rained. Ran field operations for multiple Democratic campaigns (Hadden aldermanic race, Bring Chicago Home, Cam Davis signature collection).

• Dramatically expand green infrastructure (rain gardens, bioswales, permeable pavement, green roofs) especially on flood-burdened south and west sides
• Add disinfection to Stickney plant — world's largest wastewater treatment plant — to reduce E. coli in rivers and canals
• "Polluter pays" and producer responsibility: make PFAS manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies pay clean-up costs instead of Cook County taxpayers
• Monitor and publicly disclose microplastics and PFAS data; lobby to reduce contaminants at source
• Stop leasing MWRD land to polluters; expand community participation beyond check-box public meetings
• Challenger argument: McElroy Kirkwood (the incumbent she's targeting) was appointed without environmental credentials and is too focused on political relationships over technical MWRD work

Sierra Club Illinois · LGBTQ+ Victory Fund · AFGE Local 704 (EPA Workers United) · State Rep. Kelly Cassidy · Ald. Maria Hadden (49th Ward) · 43rd Ward Committeeman Lucy Moog · 40th Ward Ald. Andre Vasquez · Network 49 · 49th Ward Dems · 48th Ward Neighbors for Justice · Northside Democracy for America · United Northwest Side Women for Liberty and Justice

1. ⚠ Donor data not available — ILSBE state race (not FEC); first-time candidate; smaller-dollar grassroots base; named donors not reported in press

First Black openly trans woman appointed and elected to public office in Cook County history; first trans person to serve on a water reclamation board in the US. Appointed by Gov. Pritzker in July 2023 to replace Commissioner Kimberly du Buclet (appointed to IL General Assembly); elected in 2024 special election. Nebraska native; Columbia College Chicago alum. Career: Sierra Club Midwest communications director; Center on Halsted outreach coordinator; Columbia College diversity recruitment director. Author of memoir "I Have Always Been Me." 15+ years environmental and nonprofit advocacy.

• Flood protection for south and west sides — communities hit hardest but receiving least financial help
• Modernize water systems; energy efficiency; wind power for MWRD aeration facilities
• Evict polluters leasing MWRD land; stop enabling toxics near waterways
• Voted to advance Ostara nutrient recovery program (phosphorus capture turned into reusable fertilizer)
• Supported drug take-back partnership with Cook County Sheriff to keep medications out of waterways
• Expanded MWRD social media outreach to explain complex water issues in plain language
• Environmental justice: resources distributed equitably across Cook County communities

Chicago Tribune Editorial Board · Chicago Teachers Union · Sierra Club Illinois · LGBTQ+ Victory Fund (prior cycle)

1. Gov. JB Pritzker — appointed her in 2023; institutional backing
2. Chicago Teachers Union / progressive org network
3. ⚠ Named individual donors not itemized in press; ILSBE state race (not FEC)

First Latina elected to the MWRD Board of Commissioners. First Commissioner from the Northwest suburbs in recent history. DePaul University alum (Latino & Latin American Studies / Political Science). 16+ years of public service. Former Hanover Park Village Clerk for 12 years — registered thousands of new voters, promoted civic engagement. Daughter of immigrants; driven by desire for accessible, inclusive government. Involved in Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Metropolitan Mayors Conference Diversity Taskforce, IL Census Commission.

• Approved 125 green infrastructure projects since 2020 — creating 9.9M gallons of retention capacity, protecting 2,400+ structures from flooding
• Expanded green infrastructure to suburban schoolyards ("Suburban Green Playground Program") modeled on Chicago's Space to Grow
• Environmental Justice Policy: first-ever MWRD EJ Policy; created Environmental Justice Division with dedicated staff; Community Partnership Councils in Calumet and Stickney
• Annual Monarch Fests in Hanover Park and North Riverside connecting immigrant cultural heritage (monarch as IL state insect / symbol of migration) to environmental outreach
• Water Reuse Policy: established Illinois Chapter of Water Reuse Association; supported 2025 Water Reuse Resolution; pilot project identification underway
• Infrastructure investments, climate resilience, equitable flood mitigation, fiscal responsibility

Chicago Tribune Editorial Board · Chicago Teachers Union · Sierra Club Illinois

1. Chicago Teachers Union / progressive org network
2. ⚠ Named individual donors not itemized in press; ILSBE state race (not FEC)

Appointed by Gov. Pritzker in December 2024 to fill the seat vacated by Mariyana Spyropoulos (elected Cook County Circuit Court Clerk). No prior environmental credentials at time of appointment — her own admission. Career background: educator (Orland Park District 135 ESL teacher since 2009); Moraine Valley Community College trustee/chair (elected 2019, 2025); Orland Township Democratic Committeeperson (2021–present); Orland Park Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Open Lands Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals. Running for first full 6-year term. Widow, three children.

• Practical administration and budgeting expertise; intergovernmental collaboration with Chicago-area and Springfield elected officials
• Expand Space to Grow eco-friendly playground program in underserved neighborhoods
• Protect Lake Michigan; reduce nutrient pollution; invest in modern treatment technology and green infrastructure
• Touts relationships with Democratic Party officials as asset for MWRD lobbying
• Target: Challenger Bury argues she lacks environmental expertise and is too political; Kirkwood argues MWRD staff provide technical expertise, her value is management and relationships

Chicago Tribune Editorial Board · Chicago Teachers Union · Cook County Democratic Party · Chicago Federation of Labor · SEIU · IBEW Local 134 · Chicago Pipefitters Local 597 · Plumbers Local 130a · Mid-America Carpenters · Personal PAC · Chicago Fire Firefighters Local 2 · West Suburban Teachers Union 571 · Cook County College Teachers Union · Citizen Action Illinois · International Union of Operating Engineers Locals 150 & 399

1. Gov. JB Pritzker — appointed her Dec. 2024; institutional backing
2. Cook County Democratic Party machine network
3. Chicago Federation of Labor / union network
4. ⚠ Named individual donors not itemized in press; ILSBE state race (not FEC)

The only public interest Clean Water Act attorney on the MWRD board. 40+ year career in clean water advocacy. Obama administration's Great Lakes point person for both terms (2009–2017), coordinating 11 federal departments and investing $2B+ in Great Lakes restoration — kept Asian carp from Lake Michigan, cleaned up Waukegan Harbor, negotiated the US-Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Former CEO of Alliance for the Great Lakes; former environmental law professor at University of Michigan Law School; former National Wildlife Federation litigating attorney. Put himself through Chicago-Kent College of Law at night while working full time. Elected to MWRD in 2018 (write-in primary, then won general). Currently VP at GEI Consultants.

• "Polluter pays": pushing to shift PFAS, pharmaceutical, and other contaminant clean-up costs from Cook County taxpayers to the polluting manufacturers (HB 2955 and related bills now in Springfield)
• Drug take-back programs funded by pharmaceutical manufacturers — fighting to make MWRD actually use this existing Illinois law mechanism
• "Flood justice": climate change hits disadvantaged communities hardest; expanding green infrastructure from Chicago schoolyards to suburban schoolyards
• Water reuse: recycled water as cost-effective alternative to drawing clean water from Lake Michigan
• Former co-chair of Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee; leading MWRD's role in blocking Asian carp from Chicago waterway system
• Cook County taxes too high — shift more costs to polluters rather than residents

Sierra Club Illinois · 47th Ward Democrats · Multiple environmental organizations

1. Sierra Club Illinois and environmental organization network — primary institutional backers
2. ⚠ Named individual donors not itemized in press; ILSBE state race (not FEC); uncontested race limits available campaign finance reporting

No Republican filed for this seat. Cam Davis is the only candidate on the Democratic primary ballot. The March 17 primary winner automatically wins the office in the November general election. This is effectively a ratification vote.

Real estate agent who served as legislative liaison in AG Kwame Raoul's office until summer 2025. First-time candidate. Austin resident with local advocacy ties.

• Tax the wealthy to fund public services; progressive economic policy
• Improve education and reduce property taxes on the West Side
• Economic development and job creation for Austin

1. Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) — $72,500 (largest single donor; raised eyebrows as a first-time candidate)
2. Illinois Federation of Teachers — $30,000
3. AG Kwame Raoul (personal donations) — $80,000 total ($5K originally + $25K Jan. 20 + additional contributions); her former boss and largest overall supporter
4. Cook County College Teachers Union Local 1600 — $5,000
5. Abundant Housing Illinois — supporter (also endorsed)
6. Chicago Growth Project — supporter (also endorsed)

Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) · Illinois Federation of Teachers · Abundant Housing Illinois · Chicago Growth Project

First candidate to enter the race (filed July 10, 2025). Longtime West Side community pastor with deep institutional roots — leads congregations in both Chicago's Austin neighborhood and Maywood. Board member at Loretto Hospital and Hire 360 Workforce Development. Leads Black Men United, a national community service organization. Known for bringing pastors together to re-open the appeals window for homeowners hit by the West Side property tax spike.

• Constituent services and making sure West Side residents receive maximum state services
• Property tax relief for Austin-area homeowners (organized pastor coalition on this)
• Economic development and urban investment in Austin after decades of disinvestment
• Education and workforce development through existing community institutions

1. SEIU Local 73 — $30,000
2. Willie Wilson (perennial Chicago political candidate) — $5,000
3. Ricky Hendon (former IL State Senator, 5th District) — $23,000 total paid as campaign consulting fees
4. Various west suburban mayors, 3 Cook County commissioners, 3 state senators (aggregate contributions)

Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd Ward) · Ald. William Hall (6th Ward) · Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th Ward) · Ald. David Moore (17th Ward) · Ald. Derrick Curtis (18th Ward) · Ald. Monique Scott (24th Ward) · SEIU (statewide) · SEIU Local 73 · Three Cook County commissioners · Three state senators · Raja Krishnamoorthi (U.S. Senate candidate)

Community activist and daughter of influential 37th Ward Ald. Emma Mitts — one of the most powerful West Side Democratic machine figures. Previously served as an assistant to outgoing Rep. La Shawn Ford. Currently works in insurance. Her mother serves as one of two committeepersons representing the 7th Congressional District on the Illinois Democratic Party State Central Committee.

• Economic development and jobs for Austin and surrounding West Side communities
• Education investment and improving school outcomes on the West Side
• Property tax relief; building on outgoing Rep. Ford's record

1. LIUNA Chicago Laborers' District Council PAC — $31,000 (single largest donor source)
2. Various union contributions (aggregate)

LIUNA Chicago Laborers · Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart · Former IL Secretary of State Jesse White · Various union endorsements

Lifelong Chicago West Side resident currently serving as Director of Community Engagement for 29th Ward Alderman Chris Taliaferro. Identifies property taxes as the central issue facing district voters. Endorsed by the Chicago Tribune editorial board.

• Property tax relief as the leading priority for district residents
• Community engagement and constituent services-focused legislating
• Economic development for the West Side

1. Self-loan — $19,818 (largest source)
2. Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th Ward) — $1,000
3. Jason Friedman (IL-7 Congressional candidate) — $500

Chicago Tribune Editorial Board · Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th Ward) · Planned Parenthood Illinois Action

Attorney and chief development officer for his family's Chicago-area hotel business. Launched his campaign from Skokie. Described by City That Works as staking out "pretty far left positions." Campaign is largely family self-funded.

• Graduated income tax (supports, despite 2020 voters rejecting it statewide)
• Against the state opting into the national tax-credit scholarship (voucher) program
• Far-left economic and social policy platform

1. Mansoorali Lakhani (father, President of Lakhani Hospitality) — part of $300,000+ parental total
2. Shamim Lakhani (mother, Vice President of Lakhani Hospitality) — part of $300,000+ parental total
3. Lakhani Hospitality affiliated businesses — ~$50,000 additional (campaign finance filings + business records)
4. Teamsters Local 727 (represents Lakhani Hospitality employees) — union endorsement/support
5. SEIU Illinois State Council — union endorsement/support

Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) · Teamsters Local 727 · SEIU Illinois State Council

Harvard Kennedy School public policy graduate with deep roots in Chicago Democratic party organizing. Founded Illinois Democratic Women of Cook County; led the Women's March in Chicago and Handmaid's protests. Fought for immigrant rights at Broadview ICE detention center (was shot with tear gas and pepper bullets during ICE enforcement actions there). Volunteers as a GED tutor at Cook County Jail. Multiple local Democratic Party posts. Self-described "pragmatic progressive."

• Graduated income tax — but insists it needs a new proposal designed to overcome 2020 voter skepticism
• Reproductive rights and civil rights as core priorities
• Immigrant rights and ICE accountability
• Legislative advocacy from nonprofit and community organizing experience

Girl, I Guess progressive voter guide

Attorney who worked as an adviser in Mayor Lori Lightfoot's administration. Considered one of the two frontrunners alongside Kendrick by local political observers. City That Works described him as a "can't go wrong" pick.

• Housing supply expansion — pro-development and pro-density in the district
• Good government reform and ethics
• Progressive policy priorities with a pragmatic, results-oriented approach

1. Lori Lightfoot network (former mayoral allies) — individual contributions
2. Chicago Growth Project — organizational support
3. Range of good-government aldermen — individual contributions
4. No single large institutional donor itemized in press

Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot · Chicago Growth Project · Range of good-government aldermen

Former Obama campaign and White House official. Led Rust Belt Rising, a group focused on electing moderate Democrats, and chaired the local Indivisible chapter. Currently leads a nonprofit. Described by City That Works as running "a little more to the center" than LeBuhn and praised for being "honest about the need to tackle issues like pensions head-on." Tribune- and Croke-endorsed frontrunner.

• Pension reform — direct acknowledgment that pensions must be addressed, not deferred
• Housing supply: endorsed by Abundant Housing Illinois; supports pro-density policies
• Supports the Governor's social media platform tax and two-year moratorium on data center tax incentives
• Meta platform regulation; data center development oversight

1. Margaret Croke campaign (endorsing candidate) — transfer/support
2. Abundant Housing Illinois — organizational support
3. Individual donors (mostly ward residents, Obama network alumni) — no single large individual itemized in press
4. Meta "Making Our Tomorrow" super PAC — ~$142,000 outside spending (unsolicited)

Outgoing Rep. Margaret Croke · Chicago Tribune Editorial Board · Abundant Housing Illinois · Majority of aldermen in the ward

Software engineer, community organizer, and openly LGBTQ+ candidate. Age 32. Rogers Park resident. Running on a far-left housing and immigrant rights platform, emphasizing continuity with Rep. Huynh's legacy. Minimal campaign fundraising.

• Housing justice — build more housing, eliminate parking mandates, legalize ADUs, inclusionary zoning at state level
• Immigrant rights and ICE accountability; LGBTQ+ protections
• Public education funding; community-centered governance

State Sen. Ram Villivalam · State Rep. Theresa Mah · State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid

Former government data analyst and Harris-Walz 2024 campaign staffer. Youth sports coach. University of Chicago alumnus. Felt compelled to run after Trump's re-election. Active canvassing operation — sent volunteers to Ravenswood and surrounding neighborhoods. Backed by UChicago College Democrats.

• Progressive platform; Trump resistance and community empowerment
• Data-driven approach to government from his analyst background
• Housing and community investment on the North Side

UChicago College Democrats

Illinois Army National Guard member since 2011. Columbia College Chicago graduate (2020). Communications consultant. Queer Latina; grew up low-income in southern Illinois — mother immigrated from Mexico, father a Vietnam veteran. Joined military at 19 as a pathway out of poverty. Activated on Jan. 6, 2021; witnessing those events pushed her toward elected office. Now coordinates mutual aid, rapid-response ICE resistance, and weekly protests outside Broadview detention center. Affiliated with 46th Ward Democrats. Gained national attention after publicly announcing she would refuse orders if called up to enforce Trump's immigration policies. Described by top Democratic insiders as the dark-horse surprise of the race.

• Immigrant rights and ICE refusal — personal: her partner is undocumented
• LGBTQ+ rights: marriage equality, trans healthcare, trans soldiers' retirement protections
• Mental health access and working-class economic policy
• Anti-Trump resistance with military credibility

Legal and policy adviser at the Illinois Commerce Commission (utility regulation). Former government attorney. Considered one of the two frontrunners alongside Braun by insiders. Endorsed by the Chicago Tribune. Known for unusually direct, substantive answers on difficult policy questions including pensions — rare in a statehouse primary.

• Pension obligation bonds as a careful, partial solution to the state's pension crisis
• Pro-housing: ardent supporter of state policies forcing localities to act faster on new housing approvals
• Progressive income tax; anti-monopoly and anti-corporate merger
• Utility and energy policy expertise from ICC work

1. Individual donors from Edgewater, Andersonville, and Rogers Park — primary base
2. No large institutional PAC donors itemized in press

Chicago Tribune Editorial Board

Former Deputy Attorney General in Kwame Raoul's office. Previously worked as a lobbyist at the corporate law firm Orrick — which represents DraftKings and FanDuel. Lead fundraiser in the field with the largest personal cash advantage. Running ads highlighting his work cracking down on social media's effect on children. Columbia University undergraduate. Considered one of two frontrunners (with O'Brien) by Democratic insiders.

• Social media regulation and child safety online — cited AG experience suing platforms
• Center-left economic and social policy; anti-corruption ethics reform
• Criminal justice and consumer protection from AG background
• Protecting immigrant communities from ICE raids in schools, churches, daycares

1. DraftKings "American Future" PAC — $164,000 in outside spending supporting Braun specifically; DK Crown Holdings (DraftKings wholly-owned subsidiary) funds this PAC to resist IL sports betting tax hikes
2. Meta "Making Our Tomorrow" super PAC — additional six-figure outside spending (Meta's $750K total split across 4 IL House races)

Winnetka-based community organizer and Democratic activist. Co-founded Operation Swing State during the 2024 election — mobilizing 10,000 volunteers who knocked on 250,000 doors in swing states. Previously advised state governments on COVID-19 pandemic response, working directly with governors, mayors, National Guard units, and public health departments across multiple states. Former chair of Winnetka's environmental commission, which shifted the town away from coal power toward renewable energy. Runs a small business. Describes himself as a "new Democrat" suited for an urgent moment.

• Housing expansion — thoughtful approach to increasing supply and forcing faster local approvals
• Fiscal responsibility with "openness to thoughtful spending efficiencies" (Tribune-noted)
• Anti-Trump resistance organizing and ICE response at the community level
• Environmental policy — renewable energy transition, building on local commission work
• Pandemic preparedness and crisis governance from direct state advisory experience

1. Ironworkers District Council of Chicago & Vicinity PAC — $20,000 (Dec. 8)
2. Iron Workers Local 1 Political Organization Fund — $5,000 (Dec. 4)
3. Illinois Community Organizing Project — $13,800
4. North Shore Organizing (linked to Hanley's home address) — $10,000
5. State Sen. Julie Morrison campaign — $5,000
6. State Sen. Laura Murphy campaign — $2,500
7. Individual donors — Winnetka residents $23,000+; Evanston and Chicago contributors

Rep. Jan Schakowsky · Illinois AFL-CIO · Ironworkers of Greater Chicago and Vicinity · Evanston Firefighters Local 742 · Illinois Federation of Teachers · State Sens. Julie Morrison, Laura Murphy, Adriane Johnson, Mark Walker · 40+ local elected officials · Chicago Tribune Editorial Board · North Shore Liberal Moms · Lake Forest Women's Collective

Evanston-based attorney with a Northwestern MPP and Chicago-Kent law degree. Most recently served as deputy chief of staff for policy under Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle — giving her direct Springfield-adjacent budget and policy experience. Also worked as a policy advocate at Chicago Public Schools and multiple nonprofits. Serves as the Evanston Democratic Party's deputy committeeperson. Launched her campaign just days after Laura Fine announced she'd run for Congress, pitching herself as the candidate with ready-made Springfield connections.

• Healthcare policy — positions not significantly differentiated from Hanley
• Education funding and CPS experience as core credential
• Intergovernmental affairs expertise from Preckwinkle's office
• Legislative readiness: argues she can write legislation from day one without a learning curve

1. Jewish Caucus PAC — $72,800 max-out (PAC was dormant until Dec. 2025 when it raised $268,550; funded by Reps. Gabel, Morgan, Didech, and Gong-Gershowitz each giving $20K from their own campaigns)
2. Health Care Council of Illinois PAC (skilled nursing facilities lobby) — also gave $72,800 to the Jewish Caucus PAC in the same Dec. 2025 surge, just before it was forwarded to Ruttenberg
3. Rep. Bob Morgan (in-kind) — $40,500 from Global Strategy Group earmarked for survey research / polling (Jan. 8)
4. Health Care Council of Illinois PAC (direct) — $5,000 in Q3 2025
5. Duane Morris Government Committee (Philadelphia law firm) — $2,500 in Q3 2025
6. House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel campaign — $10,000 transfer (Q2 2025)
7. Ald. Tom Suffredin (6th Ward, Evanston) — individual contribution
8. Chicago 50th Ward Committeeman Bruce Leon (pro-Israel Dem, withdrew from IL-9 race) — individual contribution
9. Evanston residents — $21,000+ base (Q2 2025); Chicago donors — $18,250+

IL House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel · IL House Asst. Majority Leader Bob Morgan · State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz · State Rep. Daniel Didech · Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) · Planned Parenthood Illinois Action · Evanston school board members (Districts 65 and 202) · Former Evanston Councilmember Robin Rue Simmons

Born in Peoria; B.A. in political science from U of I. Long career in Democratic politics before Congress — worked on campaigns for Chris Dodd, Hillary Clinton, and JB Pritzker's 2018 gubernatorial run. Later became Biden's OMB Chief of Staff. Won her seat in 2022 against Republican Regan Deering and won reelection easily in 2024. Sits on the House Agriculture and Veterans' Affairs committees. First time facing a primary challenge.

Expand healthcare access (not Medicare for All); pro-labor/union; affordability (housing, energy, child care); anti-corruption reform (stock trading ban, Citizens United repeal, DISCLOSE Act); two-state solution on Israel-Palestine; supports humanitarian aid to Gaza but also continued U.S.-Israel alliance. Reform ICE (not abolish). Secured $680M+ in federal funding for IL-13, including $51M for "Silicorn Valley" biotech hub in Champaign.

Raised ~$304,600 in the pre-primary period (filed March 5, 2026); $2.5M cash on hand — massive advantage. ~80% from individual donors, ~20% from PACs. Only 5% from small donors per Blaha's campaign. Total cycle receipts: ~$3.3M+.

1. AIPAC PAC — $5,000 direct contribution ⭐ + $23,871 aggregated bundling ⭐ (2024 cycle per News-Gazette / OpenSecrets)
2. J Street PAC — $10,250 aggregated (more moderate pro-Israel group, supports two-state solution)
3. International Association of Fire Fighters PAC — $15,000
4. Amalgamated Transit Union PAC — $10,000
5. Ironworkers union PAC — $10,000
6. Air Traffic Controllers union PAC — $10,000
7. Machinists union PAC — $10,000
8. Ruth Wyman (Urbana attorney) — $6,600
9. Normand Paquin (U of I Coordinated Science Lab assoc. director) — $5,300
10. Various lobbyists and corporate PACs — Blaha: "top donors include lobbyists and corporate super PACs; only 5% small-dollar"

1. AIPAC (endorsed along with 124 Republicans and 90 House Democrats)
2. J Street
3. Various labor unions

• ⚠️ Voted for the Laken Riley Act (Jan. 7, 2025): One of a small number of House Democrats to support the GOP-led bill requiring mandatory detention of undocumented immigrants charged with certain crimes. Progressives called it anti-immigrant and xenophobic; critics say it was a capitulation to right-wing framing ahead of Trump's return.
• ⚠️ AIPAC money & Israel stance: Has taken $28,871+ from AIPAC ($5K direct + bundling) and $52,315 from pro-Israel groups total per OpenSecrets — ranked in top 130 in the House. Attended Netanyahu's address to Congress in 2024. Supports U.S.-Israel alliance and military aid; critics accuse her of enabling Israeli military operations in Gaza.
• ⚠️ Anti-corruption platform vs. donor base: Publicly backed Citizens United repeal and campaign finance reform in January 2026 — but only 5% of her donations are small-dollar. Blaha: "It's easy to sign onto this bill now, when we know Republicans and Trump won't sign it into law." Critics note she promoted the anti-corruption agenda days before early voting began.
• ⚠️ Voted for DHS ICE funding (FY26): Voted against a DHS appropriations bill that included $10.3B for ICE — but overall record on immigration is seen by progressives as insufficiently oppositional to Trump deportation policies.

Grew up in the Chicago area (Lemont); moved to Champaign-Urbana for college and graduate school. 13-year Army National Guard veteran. Made national headlines in 2025 when he posted videos declaring he would refuse orders to deploy to Chicago for Trump's immigration crackdowns — potentially facing federal charges for that stance. First-time political candidate; member of DSA, ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and Working Families Party affiliates. Says he previously voted for Budzinski before becoming disillusioned with her votes.

Medicare for All; abolish ICE; overturn Citizens United / publicly fund elections; raise taxes on the wealthy (New Deal-level); cut defense budget by $100B; protect immigrant communities; no corporate PAC money. Endorsed Sanders-style economic politics. Would vote to impeach DHS Secretary Noem and go further — abolish ICE entirely. Pro-Palestinian: opposes U.S. military aid enabling Gaza operations.

Raises almost exclusively small-dollar grassroots donations; no corporate PAC money, no lobbyist money, no AIPAC. Massive fundraising disadvantage — unable to match Budzinski's $2.5M cash on hand with any comparable sum. Explicitly modeled on Bernie Sanders' small-dollar approach. Race will likely be determined by turnout and organizing, not ads.

Grassroots small-dollar donors only; no named major institutional donors. No corporate PAC contributions.

Affiliated with DSA, ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and Working Families Party networks. No major institutional endorsements reported.

• ⚠️ Potential federal charges: Posted videos in 2025 saying he would refuse orders to deploy to Chicago for Trump's immigration crackdown — told interviewers he might be charged by the federal government for that stance. Continues to serve in the National Guard.
• ⚠️ Competitive district: IL-13 is only D+2 — a swing seat. Some Democrats argue a progressive nominee risks losing the general election to a Republican in Trump's era. Blaha counters that anti-Trump energy is what will drive turnout in 2026.