Schakowsky to retire from U.S. House in 2026 – Daily Herald

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, the longest-serving member of the suburban delegation to Congress, won’t seek reelection in 2026.
Schakowsky, an Evanston Democrat in her 14th term representing Illinois’ 9th District, announced her intent to retire during her annual Ultimate Women’s Power Lunch at the Sheraton Grand Chicago.
Schakowsky, who turns 81 in May, is considered one of the more progressive members of Congress. She has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ rights, abortion rights, the Affordable Care Act and product safety. Although Jewish, she was among the representatives who urged then-President Joe Biden to reconsider arms shipments to Israel in its war in Gaza. Schakowsky also boycotted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s 2015 speech to Congress, saying it could affect negotiations with Iran.
Schakowsky hasn’t faced a serious opponent from either major party in years. This past November, she got more than 68% of the vote against a Republican opponent who was appointed to run against her because no one stood up in the GOP primary.
The last primary challenger Schakowsky faced was a write-in candidate in 2020; Schakowsky got more than 99% of the vote.
Once limited to the North Shore and some Northwest suburbs, the district now includes parts of Cook, Lake and McHenry counties. It stretches diagonally between Lake Michigan and the Crystal Lake area.
Four candidates have already announced their intentions for the seat, and more are expected.
On the Democratic side of the aisle, Chicagoans Kat Abughazaleh, Justin Ford and David Abrevaya have said they’re running.
Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old internet personality and former journalist, garnered national attention in March when she announced her candidacy. She also drew significant financial support, receiving more donations in her first week than Schakowsky did in the entire first quarter of 2025, federal records show.
Island Lake resident Rocio Cleveland is the only Republican candidate so far.
Of the challengers who have surfaced so far, only Abughazaleh has filed a financial report with the Federal Election Commission.

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