Illinois 9th District Candidates Debate Cost of Living, Healthcare

State Sen. Mike Simmons, Phil Andrew, and Bushra Amiwala to participate in Fox Chicago debate

Feb. 26, 2026 at 1:24am

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Multiple candidates for the Democratic nomination in the 9th Congressional District in Illinois will participate in a debate hosted by Fox Chicago on Wednesday night. The three candidates - State Sen. Mike Simmons, Phil Andrew, and Bushra Amiwala - are expected to discuss key issues like the cost of living and healthcare.

Why it matters

The 9th Congressional District in Illinois is a closely watched race, with the winner likely to play a key role in shaping the Democratic agenda in Congress. The debate provides an opportunity for voters to hear directly from the candidates on their plans to address pressing economic and healthcare concerns.

The details

The debate will take place on Wednesday, February 26th and will be broadcast live on Fox Chicago. All three Democratic candidates - State Sen. Mike Simmons, Phil Andrew, and Bushra Amiwala - are slated to participate and will be asked to share their policy proposals and visions for the district.

  • The debate will take place on Wednesday, February 26, 2026.

The players

Mike Simmons

State Senator representing Illinois' 9th Congressional District.

Phil Andrew

Democratic candidate for Illinois' 9th Congressional District.

Bushra Amiwala

Democratic candidate for Illinois' 9th Congressional District.

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What’s next

The winner of the Democratic primary will face the Republican nominee in the general election for the 9th Congressional District in November 2026.

The takeaway

This debate provides an important opportunity for voters in the 9th Congressional District to hear directly from the Democratic candidates on their plans to address the high cost of living and healthcare challenges facing the region.