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Home › Issues › Candidates
Illinois Primary · March 17, 2026

Who's on the ballot?

Every major race, every significant candidate — who they are, where they stand, and what our community needs to know before voting. Rated on Muslim community alignment.

Your path: ① Issues › ② Candidates › ③ Scorecards › ④ My Ballot
Rating legend
Our pick Community-aligned, on the record
Secondary pick Aligned but lower-polling
Mixed record Partial, unknown, or no strong position
Watch out Hedged or concerning record
Reject AIPAC-linked or disqualifying record
Federal · Statewide

U.S. Senate — Illinois

Replacing retiring Sen. Dick Durbin · Democratic primary winner heavily favored in November · 10 Democrats on ballot
Three-candidate top tier: Krishnamoorthi leads polling at ~35%, Stratton at ~19%, Kelly at ~10%. The Democratic primary winner is almost certain to win in November — making this the most consequential statewide race for Muslim voters.
Polls conducted: 3+ public surveys (Nov 2025 – Feb 2026) Avg sample: ~700–1,000 LV/RV Source: Data for Progress, internal campaign polls, Feb 2026
Raja Krishnamoorthi
35%
Juliana Stratton
19%
Robin Kelly ★ our pick
10%
All others / undecided
36%
Kelly is our pick despite polling third — she has the strongest Muslim-community alignment and is the only top-tier candidate to call it genocide. Krishnamoorthi leads but carries the weakest record on our issues and is one of the largest AIPAC recipients in Congress. 36% undecided means this race is more fluid than the numbers suggest.
Sources: Multiple public surveys, Feb 2026. Polls show consistent 3-way spread. Race may tighten in final weeks.
Robin Kelly
U.S. Rep., IL-2 (vacating) · 20 years in Illinois politics
Our pick
✓
🇵🇸 Palestine Called it genocide at Feb 19 WGN debate. Co-sponsors Block the Bombs Act to halt weapons transfers to Israel.
~
🚫 AIPAC Pledged to refuse AIPAC going forward but accepted AIPAC PAC donations in March–April 2025 before entering race.
✓
🛂 Immigration Co-sponsored impeachment of DHS Sec. Noem. Strong anti-ICE congressional record.
✓
🏥 Medicare for All "People Over Profits" platform — explicitly supports M4A. Attacks Krishnamoorthi for healthcare industry donations.
~
📈 Polling ~10% — third tier, but strongest on our issues by far. Endorsed by ILMAN and IMPAC.
Score: 4.5 / 7 Full scorecard →
Juliana Stratton
Illinois Lt. Governor · Second-in-command under Pritzker
Mixed record
✕
🇵🇸 Palestine Called suffering "terrible" at Feb 19 debate. Did not use "genocide" or call to end military aid.
✕
🚫 AIPAC Did not pledge to refuse AIPAC at forum or debate. Gov. Pritzker is a major AIPAC ally.
~
🏥 Healthcare Supports expanding healthcare access but has not explicitly endorsed Medicare for All.
~
📈 Polling ~19% — second place but weaker on community issues. Institutional Democrat with establishment backing.
Score: 2.0 / 7 Full scorecard →
Raja Krishnamoorthi
U.S. Rep., IL-8 (vacating) · Polling frontrunner
Watch out
✕
🇵🇸 Palestine Refused to say "genocide" at debate — "people are extremely divided." One of the largest AIPAC donation recipients in Congress.
✕
🚫 AIPAC Has not pledged to refuse AIPAC. Described as one of the largest AIPAC recipients in Congress historically.
✕
🏥 Medicare for All Does not support M4A. Has accepted significant donations from healthcare industry.
✓
📈 Polling ~35% — clear frontrunner. High name recognition and campaign war chest, but weakest record on our key issues.
Score: 1.0 / 7 Full scorecard →
Federal · Cook County · North Side Chicago, Evanston, Skokie, Niles, North Shore

U.S. Congress — IL-9th District

Jan Schakowsky's open seat · 15-person primary · Heavily Democratic district — primary winner wins in November
Latest polling: Biss ~31%, Abughazaleh ~18%, Fine ~18%, Simmons ~4–6%, Amiwala ~4–6%. This is the most Muslim-community-watched congressional race in the state, with multiple candidates directly endorsed by Muslim civic orgs.
Polls conducted: 2–3 surveys (Oct 2025 – Feb 2026) Avg sample: ~600–800 LV Source: Data for Progress (Oct/Nov 2025), internal campaign polls
Daniel Biss
31%
Awareness: ~57% · Conversion rate: 54% — leads the field
Kat Abughazaleh ★ our pick
18%
Awareness: ~54% · Conversion rate: 33% — strong upside as name recognition grows
Laura Fine
18%
Awareness: ~38% · Boosted by $1.17M AIPAC-linked PAC spending
Mike Simmons ★ secondary
5%
Bushra Amiwala ★ secondary
5%
Field / undecided
23%
Kat is polling at 18% but has the strongest issue-alignment conversion: every voter who learns about her is ~33% likely to support her. Biss leads but equivocated on genocide and has an AIPAC history. With 23% still undecided, late movement is very possible — especially from Muslim and Arab American voters who make up a meaningful share of the district.
Sources: Data for Progress (Oct 29 – Nov 3, 2025, n=600 LV), internal campaign aggregates. Conversion rate = vote share ÷ name recognition from DfP crosstabs.
⚠️ AIPAC Alert: AIPAC-affiliated PACs have spent $1.17M+ on pro-Fine advertising. If you are in IL-9, be aware that Fine is the AIPAC-backed candidate in this race.
Kat Abughazaleh
Journalist, researcher · Palestinian-American · First-time candidate
Our pick
✓
🇵🇸 Palestine Calls it genocide. Calls to end all U.S. military aid. Only top-3 candidate to never meet with AIPAC.
✓
🚫 AIPAC Rejects all corporate PAC money. $3M+ raised, avg donation $31. Explicitly refuses AIPAC. Endorsed by TrackAIPAC.
✓
🛂 Immigration Calls to abolish ICE. Campaign office is a mutual aid hub. Faces federal indictment for protesting at Broadview ICE facility.
✓
🕌 Muslim community Palestinian-American, facing Islamophobic attacks from opposing surrogates. Endorsed by ILMAN, IMPAC, Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid.
✓
🏥 Medicare for All Explicitly supports Medicare for All. Strong economic justice platform. Endorsed by Justice Democrats.
Score: 7.0 / 7 Full scorecard →
Daniel Biss
Mayor of Evanston · Former IL State Senator · Polling frontrunner
Mixed record
~
🇵🇸 Palestine Calls it "atrocities." Supports ceasefire but refused to say "genocide" when directly asked at Feb 20 forum.
~
🚫 AIPAC Met with AIPAC previously. Now rejects them. Fine accused him of hypocrisy — AIPAC said they "didn't trust him."
✓
🛂 Immigration Calls to abolish ICE. Evanston is a sanctuary city — he has governed on this, not just talked about it.
~
🕌 Muslim community Did not condemn Carroll's Islamophobic posts targeting Muslim candidates in this race.
✓
📈 Polling ~31% — frontrunner in most surveys. Strong on many issues but equivocated on genocide question.
Score: 4.5 / 7 Full scorecard →
Mike Simmons
IL State Senator, 7th District · Chicago progressive
Secondary pick
✓
🇵🇸 Palestine Uses the word "genocide." Supports cutting military funds. Publicly called out Fine's AIPAC donations at forums.
✓
🚫 AIPAC No AIPAC donations. Progressive grassroots fundraising. Endorsed by TrackAIPAC.
✓
🛂 Immigration Calls to abolish ICE. Personally intervened when ICE stopped a man during a community patrol.
✕
📈 Polling ~4–6%. Strong values alignment but significant structural gap in a crowded field. Endorsed by TrackAIPAC.
Score: 4.5 / 7 Full scorecard →
Bushra Amiwala
Skokie School Board · First Gen Z elected official in U.S. · Muslim-American
Secondary pick
✓
🇵🇸 Palestine Supports cutting military aid and permanent ceasefire. Uses "genocide." Among first elected officials to sign JVP ceasefire letter.
✓
🕌 Muslim community Muslim-American woman. Endorsed by MCC-Activate, NIAMA, IMPAC. Has faced direct Islamophobic targeting in this race.
✓
🛂 Immigration Calls to abolish ICE. Leads ICE Rapid Response Trainings. Active in Muslim/immigrant communities in Skokie and Niles.
✕
📈 Polling ~4–6%. Strong community endorsements but significant gap vs. top-tier candidates in a 15-person field.
Score: 4.5 / 7 Full scorecard →
Laura Fine
IL State Senator, 9th District · AIPAC-backed candidate
Reject
✕
🇵🇸 Palestine "Cannot believe in tying Israel's hands — I've been in the bomb shelters." Does not use the word genocide.
✕
🚫 AIPAC AIPAC-affiliated PACs spent $1.17M+ on pro-Fine ads. Fine has not returned donations or condemned the spending.
✕
🕌 Muslim community Supporter Rep. Jonathan Carroll posted anti-Muslim content targeting Muslim candidates. Fine has not publicly condemned this.
Score: 1.5 / 7 Full scorecard →
Federal · Cook County + DuPage/Kane · Northwest suburbs

U.S. Congress — IL-8th District

Open seat — Krishnamoorthi vacating to run for Senate · Schaumburg, Elgin, Des Plaines, NW suburbs
No independent polling published. Bean perceived as frontrunner by name recognition and establishment support. Ahmed leads in progressive endorsements and grassroots fundraising. Muslim-American candidate running in a race with clear AIPAC-linked activity.
No independent polling published for this race. Polling organizations have not surveyed this open seat as of Feb 2026. What we do know:

Melissa Bean — perceived frontrunner by name recognition from her 2005–11 congressional tenure and early establishment support. Leads in early financial backing. AIPAC-linked PAC reportedly active on her behalf.

Junaid Ahmed — leads in progressive endorsements (Justice Democrats, Bernie Sanders, PAL PAC). Strongest grassroots fundraising base. No corporate PAC money.

In low-information open seat races, endorsement stacks and ground game often outperform early name recognition. Ahmed has the stronger ground-level coalition.
⚠️ AIPAC Alert: "Elect Chicago Women" — an AIPAC-linked PAC — reportedly spending on Melissa Bean's campaign in this race.
Junaid Ahmed
Tech entrepreneur · Muslim-American · First-time federal candidate
Our pick
✓
🇵🇸 Palestine Explicit ceasefire and end to military aid. Endorsed by Justice Democrats and Palestinian-American orgs. No AIPAC connection.
✓
🛂 Immigration Explicitly calls to abolish ICE. Running anti-ICE digital ads. Frames Bean as the establishment candidate.
✓
🕌 Muslim community Muslim-American candidate. Endorsed by MCC-Activate, IMPAC, and Illinois Muslim community organizations.
✓
🏥 Medicare for All Supports M4A as part of progressive economic platform. Rejects all corporate PAC money. Endorsed by Bernie Sanders.
✓
🌿 Climate Supports Green New Deal. No fossil fuel PAC money. Endorsed by progressive climate orgs.
Score: 7.0 / 7 Full scorecard →
Melissa Bean
Former U.S. Rep. (2005–11) · Returning establishment candidate
Reject
✕
🇵🇸 Palestine No public ceasefire or military aid position found. Her 2005–11 congressional record includes pro-Israel votes.
✕
🚫 AIPAC "Elect Chicago Women" — AIPAC-linked PAC — reportedly spending on her campaign. No AIPAC refusal pledge.
✕
🛂 Immigration No pledge to abolish ICE. Centrist record from prior congressional service.
Score: 0.5 / 7 Full scorecard →
Federal · Cook County · South Side Chicago, south suburbs

U.S. Congress — IL-2nd District

Robin Kelly vacating to run for Senate · South Side Chicago and south suburbs · Strong progressive coalition active
No public polling. Donna Miller leads fundraising. Robert Peters leads progressive and Muslim-aligned endorsements including Bernie Sanders. Jesse Jackson Jr. attempting a comeback after resigning in 2013 amid corruption charges. Willie Preston chairs IL Senate Black Caucus.
No public polling published for this race.

Donna Miller — leads fundraising as of Q4 2025. Institutional backing including Carol Moseley Braun. AIPAC-linked PAC "Affordable Chicago Now" reportedly spending on her behalf.

Robert Peters — leads progressive endorsement stack (Bernie Sanders, MCC-Activate, IMPAC, Rep. Maxwell Frost). Strongest grassroots base. No corporate PAC money. Led IL effort to end cash bail.

Jesse Jackson Jr. — attempting political comeback after resigning in 2013 amid federal corruption charges (pleaded guilty, served 2.5 years). Name recognition present but record is disqualifying.

Peters has the Sanders/MCC-Activate endorsement combination that signals deep progressive credibility. Miller leads money but our community's interests are better served by Peters.
⚠️ AIPAC Alert: "Affordable Chicago Now" — an AIPAC-linked PAC — reportedly spending on Donna Miller's campaign in this race.
Robert Peters
IL State Senator, 13th District · Bernie Sanders-endorsed progressive
Our pick
✓
🇵🇸 Palestine Explicit ceasefire and end to military aid position. Endorsed by Bernie Sanders.
✓
🚫 AIPAC Rejects corporate PAC money. No AIPAC connection. Progressive grassroots fundraising model.
✓
🛂 Immigration Led IL effort to end cash bail for nonviolent crimes. Strong criminal justice reform record in state senate.
✓
🏥 Medicare for All Supported by Sanders — the signature M4A advocate. Strong economic justice positioning throughout.
~
🕌 Muslim community Endorsed by MCC-Activate. No specific anti-Islamophobia statement found in campaign materials.
Score: 6.0 / 7 Full scorecard →
Donna Miller
Cook County Commissioner, 6th District · Fundraising leader
Reject
?
🇵🇸 Palestine No public ceasefire or military aid position found. AIPAC-linked PAC spending reported on her behalf.
✕
🚫 AIPAC "Affordable Chicago Now" — AIPAC-linked PAC — reportedly spending on her campaign. No refusal pledge.
~
🛂 Immigration Endorsed by Carol Moseley Braun and pro-immigration advocates. No ICE abolition pledge found.
Score: 0.5 / 7 Full scorecard →
Willie Preston
IL State Senator, 16th District · Chairs IL Senate Black Caucus
Mixed record
?
🇵🇸 Palestine No clear public position found on ceasefire or military aid to Israel.
~
Overall Established IL Senate figure. Chairs Black Caucus. Institutional candidate with limited public record on community-priority issues.
Unrated Full scorecard →
Jesse Jackson Jr.
Former U.S. Rep. IL-2 (resigned 2013) · Comeback attempt
Reject
✕
Overall Resigned from this seat in 2013 amid federal corruption charges (pleaded guilty, served 2.5 years). Attempting political comeback. Record on current issues not established.
Not recommended Full scorecard →
State · Statewide · Illinois

Illinois Comptroller

Open seat — Susana Mendoza not seeking re-election · Manages state finances, audits, and debt · 4-way Democratic primary
The Comptroller oversees state finances, audits, and debt management. Croke leads fundraising and has the Chicago Tribune endorsement. Villa carries stronger progressive and Muslim-aligned endorsements. No independent polling published.
Karina Villa
IL State Senator · Latina progressive · West Chicago suburbs
Our pick
✓
Progressive record Endorsed by ICIRR (state's largest immigrant rights coalition), Arise Chicago, and New IL Party — strongest immigrant rights endorsement stack in this race.
✓
🕌 Muslim community Endorsed by MCC-Activate and AMVOTE (Arab/Muslim Political Action Committee).
✓
Accountability Strong labor coalition backing including SEIU IL State Council, CTU, and progressive orgs. Track record on economic justice legislation.
Our pick Full scorecard →
Margaret Croke
IL State Rep., 12th District · Chicago Tribune endorsed
Mixed record
~
Establishment backing Chicago Tribune endorsement. Fundraising leader. Endorsed by IL Senate President Don Harmon. More centrist Democratic positioning.
~
Progressive concerns Less robust immigrant rights and progressive coalition support compared to Villa. No AMVOTE or MCC-Activate endorsement.
Mixed record Full scorecard →
Illinois State Legislature · Cook & DuPage Counties

IL State Senate & State House

Varies by address · Key Muslim-community races in Cook and DuPage counties
These are the Muslim-relevant state legislative races where community endorsements are strongest. Your specific races depend on your address — use My Ballot to confirm which ones are on your ballot.
Note: State legislative districts vary by address. The candidates below represent the races where Muslim civic organizations have issued endorsements or where community-relevant candidates are running. Check My Ballot after entering your address to confirm which races are on your specific ballot.
Ram Villivalam
IL State Senator, SD-8 · First South Asian elected to IL Senate · Running unopposed in primary
Our pick
✓
Transit & community Chief sponsor of major IL transit reform legislation (SB2111). Former SEIU labor organizer. Strong constituent services on Devon Ave corridor.
✓
🕌 Muslim community Endorsed by MCC-Activate and IMPAC. Represents the Devon Ave South Asian/Muslim corridor in Chicago.
SD-8 · Unopposed Full scorecard →
Nabeela Syed
Currently IL House District 51 · Running for IL Senate District 26 upgrade
Our pick
✓
Healthcare legislation Passed legislation capping prescription drug price gouging in the IL House. Strong healthcare and consumer protection record.
✓
🕌 Muslim community Muslim-American legislator endorsed by MCC-Activate and ILMAN. One of the few Muslim elected officials in Illinois.
SD-26 Full scorecard →
Abdelnasser Rashid
IL State Rep., HD-21 · Palestinian-American · Running for re-election
Our pick
✓
🇵🇸 Palestine Palestinian-American state representative — the strongest pro-Palestine voice in IL legislature. Endorsed Kat Abughazaleh for IL-9.
✓
🕌 Muslim community Endorsed by MCC-Activate, ILMAN, and IMPAC. Has faced Islamophobic attacks and emerged as a community champion.
✓
Climate Supports Green New Deal and aggressive climate action. Endorsed by Sunrise Movement.
HD-21 Full scorecard →
Demi Palecek
Army National Guard veteran · Communications consultant · HD-13 challenger
Our pick
✓
Progressive record Pro-choice, strong on civil rights. Endorsed by The Justice Coalition, AFSCME, CTU, and 46th Ward Democrats.
✓
🕌 Muslim community Endorsed by MCC-Activate. Running against incumbent with a less progressive record in a competitive primary.
HD-13 Full scorecard →
Ready to see detailed issue-by-issue ratings?

The Scorecards page shows every candidate rated across 6 issues with sourced tooltips — Palestine, AIPAC, immigration, healthcare, Islamophobia, and climate.

View Scorecards → Build My Ballot →