Illinois 9th District
Jan Schakowsky (D) is not running again. 2 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Daniel Biss
Democrat · Evanston mayor, former state senator
FLiberty Score F53 out of 100 across 5 principles. Graded on what Biss has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Biss.
Raised $3,446,463 since January 2025: 91% from people, 9% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
John Elleson
Republican · pastor of lakewood chapel in arlington heights
A-Liberty Score A-91 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Elleson has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Elleson.
Higher on Liberty Score: John Elleson. John Elleson: A-, 91 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Daniel Biss: F, 53 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
Voting in Illinois: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Daniel Biss, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Biss, so the grade above comes from this list: what Biss has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
His campaign site says the Islamic Republic must not get a nuclear weapon but that this should be done by diplomacy, not military strikes.
“we should work to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon through diplomatic means, not reckless military strikes that threaten to further destabilize the region and fail to remove the threat.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Opposing strikes on the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme is the against side of this measure.
-
The position paper he posted and says he stands by calls the US Israel's closest friend and ally, wants more Iron Dome funding, and says he will keep opposing BDS.
“As Israel's closest friend and ally, the United States must always be committed to providing for Israel's defense.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Treating Israel as an ally, backing its defence and opposing BDS is the with side of this measure.
-
In the Sun-Times questionnaire he says the US must keep a strong NATO partnership and protect Taiwan and allies from Chinese aggression.
“we must continue to have a strong partnership with the NATO alliance that allows for shared resiliency against these threats.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing NATO and Taiwan is the with side of this measure.
-
His campaign site says he stands with Ukraine and wants military and humanitarian aid for it.
“I stand with Ukraine in the face of Russia's illegal invasion and ongoing war crimes.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Ukraine against Putin is the with side of this measure.
-
In the Sun-Times questionnaire he says he will advocate for a national single-payer health system such as Medicare for all.
“I'll advocate for a national single-payer health system, such as Medicare for All, to provide universal coverage.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Government-run health care for all is the against side of this measure.
-
In the Sun-Times questionnaire he says Congress must end Trump's tariffs.
“we must raise the minimum wage, protect workers' right to organize and end Trump's tariffs.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Ending broad tariffs is the with side of this measure (the same sentence also calls for a higher minimum wage, which this line does not rate).
-
His campaign site says he will shift money from the Pentagon budget to diplomacy and aid.
“I'll work to shift resources from the bloated Pentagon budget to diplomatic efforts, humanitarian aid, and global development”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Cutting the defence budget is the against side of this measure.
-
His campaign site says ICE must be abolished.
“We must abolish ICE. It is abhorrent and anti-American to see ICE agents disappearing people into detention centers or deporting them to danger.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Abolishing ICE is the against side of this measure.
-
His campaign site calls for a path to citizenship for DACA recipients and others.
“It's time to pass the American Dream and Promise Act and provide a clear, fair path to citizenship for DACA recipients and others.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A path to citizenship for people here illegally is the against side of this measure.
John Elleson, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Elleson, so the grade above comes from this list: what Elleson has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
Asked whether the US should keep sending weapons to Israel, he says he supports giving Israel the weapons it needs to protect itself.
“I stand with aiding Israel with the weaponry they need to protect themselves.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Israel's right to defend itself and supplying its weapons is the with side of this measure.
-
Asked about China, he says the US should stand firm in support of Taiwan's security and democratic freedom and not abandon partners.
“With Taiwan, standing firm in our support for its security and democratic freedom sends a clear message that the U.S. will not abandon partners in the face of coercion.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Taiwan against Beijing is the with side of this measure.
-
Asked about US intervention abroad on the Islamic Republic, Ukraine and Israel, he says he stands with Ukraine and Israel.
“I stand with Ukraine and Israel”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Ukraine against Russia is the with side of this measure.
-
His first step on prices is to restore pro-growth tax and regulatory policies so workers keep more pay and small firms face less red tape.
“First, we must restore pro-growth tax and regulatory policies that let workers keep more of their paychecks and allow small businesses, farmers and manufacturers to operate without excessive red tape, increasing supply and lowering costs.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Lower taxes and less regulation is the with side of this measure.
-
Asked what separation of church and state means to him, he says the government should not control the church and the church should not control the government.
“The government shouldn't control the church, and the church shouldn't control the government.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Keeping religious institutions out of the running of government is the with side of this measure.
-
Asked about the federal immigration crackdown in Chicago, he says the Trump administration is right to take border security and enforcement seriously.
“I believe the Trump administration is right to take border security and illegal immigration enforcement seriously.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border and enforcing the law is the with side of this measure.
-
Asked whether he backs ICE, he says he does and that immigration laws should be enforced.
“Yes I support ICE & believe we need to enforce immigration laws.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Supporting ICE and enforcing the law is the with side of this measure.
-
Asked what immigration reform should look like, he says a bipartisan deal should give some people here illegally amnesty and send others home.
“We need bi-partisan legislation where some are going to get amnesty and some will have to go back to their home country.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Amnesty for some of those here illegally is the against side of this measure.
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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Discussion
Illinois 9th District
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