Rep. Schakowsky to retire at end of term, opening door for competitive 2026 primary

(Editor’s Note: This story was reported by Alex Harrison for the Evanston RoundTable, a neighboring independent newsroom. It was shared with The Record as part of an ongoing collaborative effort.)

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-9th District) announced Monday afternoon that she will not run for reelection in 2026, confirming unofficial reports made in recent weeks and leaving the path wide open for a competitive Democratic primary expected to draw local officials into the mix.

The longtime congresswoman, a resident of Evanston, made it official while speaking at her annual Ultimate Women’s Power Lunch fundraiser at the Sheraton Grand Chicago hotel. While reporters were excluded from the main program, Schakowsky’s announcement could be heard through the closed doors of the hotel’s fourth floor ballroom, and she said that while some others had named “for themselves what the decision was, what my decision was,” she ultimately decided for herself it was time to step aside.

Immediately after she confirmed it to the hundreds of supporters in attendance, her campaign issued a news release announcing her decision, where Schakowsky said she announces her decision “with profound gratitude and the utmost appreciation for my constituents.”

“To the people of Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, thank you for allowing me to be your voice in Congress,” Schakowsky wrote. “I have tried to serve you each and every day with the integrity, decency, and fire you deserve. It truly is the honor of a lifetime!”

Schakowsky is serving her 14th term representing the 9th District, which currently stretches from Chicago’s Far North Side to several north and northwest suburbs, stretching as far as McHenry County. She won her first term in 1998, defeating state Sen. Howard Carroll and future Gov. JB Pritzker in the primary, and since then had only faced primary opponents on the ballot in just two elections, in 2008 and 2012.

Reporters were allowed to enter after the end of the program, and had a few minutes to speak with Schakowsky. She said she’d been split on whether to run for another term “for a long time,” and only settled on stepping aside “in the last few weeks — the last week, mostly.”

Answering a question on whether she wishes she “had the strength to give it one [more] good swing” during the second term of U.S. President Donald Trump, Schakowsky answered, “Well, I’m gonna give it a swing.”

“I’m sure there’s going to be wonderful people who decide to run, and I’ll be there to support them,” she said, clarifying later that she has “no preferences right now” on a successor.

Local possibilities

The North Shore had strong representation at the fundraiser. Among notable Democrats and elected officials seen speaking to each other before the main program were Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and Ill. Sen. Laura Fine (D-9th District), both of whom were “widely expected to enter the race after Schakowsky makes her plans public,” per reporting from Politico.

Speaking to reporters after the program, Biss said he’s appreciative of Schakowsky’s “extraordinary career” and service, both for Evanston and for the entire district and country.

“Her legacy of advocacy on so many important issues, from workers rights to women’s rights,” Biss said, “she’s a trailblazer, and we continue to be lucky to have her, and I feel really fortunate.”

The mayor did not directly answer a question about whether Schakowsky had spoken to him about her decision before it was announced, and has not responded to an emailed question about the expectation he will run for the seat.

In an emailed statement, Fine called Schakowsky a “fearless and effective progressive” in Congress and “an inspiration to me and so many across Illinois.”

“While her presence in Congress will be deeply missed, we know her work is far from over,” Fine wrote, “and we will carry her vision forward as we continue the fight for dignity, opportunity and fairness for all.”

Fine also did not answer an emailed question about the speculation she will run.

Other locals spotted was Illinois House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel (D-18th).

Already in

The coming primary already has several newcomer contenders who announced their candidacies prior to Schakowsky making her exit official. Most notably, political influencer Kat Abughazaleh in March kicked off her campaign at Five and Dime, and reported raising $378,596 in the first eight days after establishing her campaign committee, per a quarterly report filed with the Federal Election Commission.

In a statement posted to Bluesky, Abughazaleh thanked Schakowsky “for her decades of exceptional public service,” and encouraged others to join the race as well.

“I want this primary to be competitive because I want the best person for the job to win and represent this District in Congress,” Abughazaleh wrote. “Though I am confident that I am the right person for this District in this historical moment, I am also steadfast in my belief that voters deserve choices.”

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Become a member of The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a member? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.