Candidates Debate for Illinois' 9th Congressional District Democratic Nomination

Fox Chicago to host primary debate for crowded field seeking to replace retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky

Feb. 25, 2026 at 11:24am

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Multiple candidates for the Democratic nomination in Illinois' 9th Congressional District will participate in a debate hosted by Fox Chicago on Wednesday evening. The 9th District covers Chicago's North Side, Evanston, Skokie, and parts of the north and northwest suburbs. Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, State Sen. Laura Fine, Kat Abughazaleh, State Sen. Mike Simmons, Phil Andrew, and Bushra Amiwala are slated to appear, with the candidates split into two groups based on polling performance.

Why it matters

The 9th District race is an open seat contest, as longtime incumbent Rep. Jan Schakowsky is retiring after more than 25 years in Congress. The winner of the Democratic primary will be heavily favored to win the general election in this heavily Democratic district, making the primary debate an important event for voters to assess the candidates.

The details

The debate will be split into two segments, with Biss, Fine, and Abughazaleh featured in the first 40 minutes, and Simmons, Andrew, and Amiwala in the final 20 minutes. The invitations were based on the candidates' polling performance. Early voting has already begun across Illinois, with Election Day set for March 17.

  • The debate will air live at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
  • Early voting has already begun across Illinois.
  • Election Day is set for March 17, 2026.

The players

Daniel Biss

Evanston Mayor and former state senator who previously ran for Illinois governor.

Laura Fine

Illinois state senator representing the 9th District.

Kat Abughazaleh

Candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 9th Congressional District.

Mike Simmons

Illinois state senator and candidate for the 9th District Democratic nomination.

Phil Andrew

Candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 9th Congressional District.

Bushra Amiwala

Candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 9th Congressional District.

Jan Schakowsky

Longtime U.S. Representative for Illinois' 9th Congressional District, who is retiring after more than 25 years in Congress.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This debate is an important event for voters in Illinois' 9th Congressional District to assess the candidates vying to replace the retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky, as the winner of the Democratic primary will be heavily favored to win the general election in this heavily Democratic district.