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Democrat

Jan Schakowsky

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Democrat

Jan Schakowsky

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IL-09 Democratic nominee?

$515.0K

MAR 24, 2026

Primary Election

Party selects its nominee.

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Overview

Current roleU.S. Representative

PartyDemocratic

Political ideologyProgressive Democrat

Age82 years old (May 26, 1944)

GenderFemale

LocationIllinois

BackgroundPolitician

EducationUniversity of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign — B.S., Elementary Education (1965)

Notable personal detailsJanice D. Schakowsky is a U.S. Representative from Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, first elected in 1998 and serving in Congress since January 3, 1999. She previously served in the Illinois House of Representatives (1991–1998) and worked in consumer advocacy and senior-citizen advocacy roles, including as program director of Illinois Public Action and director of the Illinois State Council of Senior Citizens. She earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in 1965.

SourcesShow

schakowsky.house.gov en.wikipedia.org wikidata.org janschakowsky.org ncjw.org abc7chicago.com nndb.com ballotready.org awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu commons.wikimedia.org progressives.house.gov cookpolitical.com fec.gov clerk.house.gov ciclt.net congress.gov voteclimatepac.org patch.com legistorm.com ontheissues.org wglt.org cbsnews.com axios.com abcnews.go.com washingtonpost.com business.linkedin.com static.politico.com house.gov sewell.house.gov cha.house.gov calvert.house.gov cdn.ballotpedia.org watsoncoleman.house.gov voterguide.ballotpedia.org developer.ballotpedia.org upload.wikimedia.org ross.house.gov

Positions

LiberalConservative

Economy & Taxes

Supports raising taxes on large corporations and high-income individuals, closing corporate tax loopholes and implementing surtaxes on multi-millionaires and billionaires; proposes expanding Social Security funded by applying payroll taxes on high incomes and increasing IRS enforcement to close the tax gap. Advocates using tax changes to fund expanded social programs and to ensure corporations and wealthy taxpayers "pay their fair share."

Healthcare

Supports achieving universal coverage and has long advocated for Medicare for All while also backing expansion of the Affordable Care Act and a public health insurance option. Opposes privatization of Medicare and sponsors legislation to expand affordable coverage, reduce drug prices, and increase access to care. Has introduced bills to add a public option to ACA marketplaces and to lower prescription drug costs.

Immigration & Border

Supports comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, protection for Dreamers/DACA/TPS holders, and opposition to aggressive ICE/CBP enforcement actions in communities. Advocates for humane asylum access and rejects discriminatory local enforcement practices that enable racial profiling. Has cosponsored and voted for legislation providing permanent protections and pathways to citizenship for Dreamers and other eligible migrants.

Abortion & Reproductive Rights

Supports codifying and protecting abortion rights at the federal level and opposes federal restrictions that limit access; has sponsored and cosponsored legislation to repeal funding restrictions and to expand and protect abortion access. Advocates for federal laws such as the Women’s Health Protection Act and repeal of the Hyde and Helms Amendments to guarantee abortion access and reproductive freedom.

Climate & Energy

Supports aggressive climate action including rapid phase-out of fossil fuel expansion, bans on new greenhouse-gas-emitting power plants and fracking, and major investment in clean energy to achieve deep emissions reductions. Has cosponsored Green New Deal–aligned measures and legislation aiming for a 100% clean economy and carbon pricing. Advocates regulatory and legislative steps to protect communities from fossil-fuel pollution and accelerate renewable energy deployment.

Public Safety & Guns

Supports stricter gun regulations including an assault-weapons ban, expanded/universal background checks, and measures such as red-flag interventions and restrictions on pro-gun marketing; has sponsored/endorsed related legislative actions and oversight. Positions emphasize reducing access to high-powered military-style weapons and strengthening background-check and public-safety measures.

News

AINews Summary

Last updatedMar 14, 2026

Jan Schakowsky is in the news as her retirement is driving a wide-open race to replace her in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, with a large field heading into the March 17 primary. She also made headlines by withdrawing an endorsement over concerns about AIPAC-linked funding and backing Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, citing his refusal to take AIPAC donations. The crowded contest is highlighting intraparty tensions over outside money and debates about representation in the district.

schakowsky.house.gov+36

Articles

CTChicago Tribune3 months ago