Super PAC Spending Tops $200M as Groups Obscure Funding Sources

AIPAC-backed groups funneled millions to influence Illinois Democratic primaries, hiding their pro-Israel agenda.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 2:40pm

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New filings show the political arm of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) funneled over $5 million to other groups as part of its efforts to defeat Illinois Democrats critical of Israel in recent House primaries. This secretive spending is the latest example of how outside groups are obscuring their political activities, with AIPAC using innocuously named organizations to run ads attacking candidates for reasons other than their positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Why it matters

The use of shell super PACs by groups like AIPAC highlights how special interests are trying to veil their spending in competitive campaigns, knowing their policy objectives may be unpopular with voters. This practice raises concerns about transparency and the influence of money in politics, as voters are denied information about the true motivations behind political ads and messaging.

The details

AIPAC's super PAC, United Democracy Project, contributed millions to groups like Chicago Progressive Partnership, Affordable Chicago Now, and Elect Chicago Women, which ran ads attacking candidates on issues unrelated to Israel. These groups obscured AIPAC's involvement, even as they received significant funding from AIPAC donors. In total, over $225 million has been spent by outside groups to influence the 2026 congressional elections, a record-breaking amount at this stage of the cycle.

  • On Tuesday, March 21, 2026, Illinois held its Democratic primaries.
  • Filings made public late on Friday, March 21, 2026, revealed AIPAC's super PAC spending.

The players

United Democracy Project

The super PAC affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a pro-Israel advocacy group.

Chicago Progressive Partnership

An AIPAC-backed group that ran ads attacking candidates in Illinois primaries.

Affordable Chicago Now

Another AIPAC-affiliated group that spent money in Illinois primaries.

Elect Chicago Women

An AIPAC-funded group that ran ads against candidates in Illinois primaries, without mentioning Israel.

Daniel Biss

The Jewish liberal mayor of Evanston, Illinois, who won a crowded primary to replace U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky.

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What they’re saying

“We are going to use all the pro-democracy arrows in the toolbox to make sure that we get the largest bipartisan pro-Israel majority in Congress.”

— Patrick Dorton, Spokesperson for AIPAC's super PAC, United Democracy Project

“The cloak-and-dagger aspect of it, the hiding the ball, and the dishonesty were important because it really showed people that even the people who were putting out these messages understood they had something to hide.”

— Daniel Biss, Evanston Mayor

“AIPAC knows that it is becoming one of the most toxic forces in American politics. Even if they win a few races, they are losing the long-term battle for the future of this party.”

— Usamah Andrabi, Top operative at Justice Democrats

What’s next

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The takeaway

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