U.S. Rep. Schakowsky endorses Evanston Mayor Biss to take her congressional seat

EVANSTON, Ill. (WLS) -- Evanston's mayor is picking up an important endorsement in his bid for a congressional seat.

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky is throwing her support behind Daniel Biss in the crowded 9th Congressional District.

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Biss was also a longtime state representative.

Through a video statement, Schakowsky spoke about making sure residents are represented by someone who fights for progressive values.

"I think she's shown what it means to be independent-minded and a fierce fighter for progressive values. That's what I want to see in a member of Congress, and that's what I plan to be in a member of Congress," Biss said.

ABC7 Chicago political analyst Laura Washington says the endorsement could be a gamechanger for Biss.

"There's so many people in the race. Voters are looking for a signal, something that they will want to run with, and Jan Schakowsky means a lot in that district," Washington said.

Seventeen candidates are trying to replace Democrat Schakowsky, who, at 80 years old, announced she was not running for reelection.

The district represents Chicago's far North Side and the north and northwest suburbs.

Schakowsky has held her seat in Illinois' 9th Congressional District since 1998.

The Evanston resident has easily been reelected term after term. One of her opponents included JB Pritzker.

In terms of endorsements and money raised, Biss joins progressive commentator and influencer Kat Abughazelah and state Sen. Laura Fine as the top candidates in the race.

"I have the utmost respect for Jan Schakowsky. She is an icon in our district. But, this election is about the future. It's not about the past," Fine said.

Fine says her campaign has just raised $1.2 million for a total of $2 million. Fine launched her first big ad buy Tuesday. Abughazelah launched her first ad Wednesday.

While Biss' opponents say the election is about the future, Biss says residents are looking for the same kind of leadership that Schakowsky brought to the table for years.

"She's beloved in this community, by all of us who really admire her leadership. And it means the world to me to have her trust, to follow in her footsteps," he said.

The 9th Congressional District race is expected to be an expensive one: Evanston residents are supporting a variety of candidates.

It will be clearer how much money has been raised when all candidates are expected to give updated fundraising numbers later this month.

Illinois has five U.S. House seats up for grabs.

The primary election for the 2026 midterms is on March 17.