Frank Calabrese
@frankcalabrese.bsky.social
Cartography, GIS, maps, politics, and elections.
Chicago 📍
Chicago 📍
AI industry-backed super PAC "THINK BIG" pours $2.2M into Chicago-area congressional primaries, per today's FEC filing:
$1.1M for Jesse Jackson in IL02
$1.1M for Melissa Bean in IL08.
$1.1M for Jesse Jackson in IL02
$1.1M for Melissa Bean in IL08.
February 14, 2026 at 11:55 PM
AI industry-backed super PAC "THINK BIG" pours $2.2M into Chicago-area congressional primaries, per today's FEC filing:
$1.1M for Jesse Jackson in IL02
$1.1M for Melissa Bean in IL08.
$1.1M for Jesse Jackson in IL02
$1.1M for Melissa Bean in IL08.
AIPAC Spending in Chicago area congressional races so far: $3.83 Million
IL02 for Donna Miller: $816k
IL07 for Melissa Conyears Ervin: $707k
IL08 for Melissa Bean: $1.14M
Il09 for Laura Fine: $1.17M
IL02 for Donna Miller: $816k
IL07 for Melissa Conyears Ervin: $707k
IL08 for Melissa Bean: $1.14M
Il09 for Laura Fine: $1.17M
February 13, 2026 at 2:29 PM
AIPAC Spending in Chicago area congressional races so far: $3.83 Million
IL02 for Donna Miller: $816k
IL07 for Melissa Conyears Ervin: $707k
IL08 for Melissa Bean: $1.14M
Il09 for Laura Fine: $1.17M
IL02 for Donna Miller: $816k
IL07 for Melissa Conyears Ervin: $707k
IL08 for Melissa Bean: $1.14M
Il09 for Laura Fine: $1.17M
New Dan Biss internal IL09 poll:
Daniel Biss — 31%
Laura Fine — 18%
Kat Abughazaleh — 18%
Mike Simmons — 7%
Phil Andrew — 7%
Bushra Amiwala — 4%
Hoan Huynh — 3%
Daniel Biss — 31%
Laura Fine — 18%
Kat Abughazaleh — 18%
Mike Simmons — 7%
Phil Andrew — 7%
Bushra Amiwala — 4%
Hoan Huynh — 3%
February 13, 2026 at 3:39 AM
New Dan Biss internal IL09 poll:
Daniel Biss — 31%
Laura Fine — 18%
Kat Abughazaleh — 18%
Mike Simmons — 7%
Phil Andrew — 7%
Bushra Amiwala — 4%
Hoan Huynh — 3%
Daniel Biss — 31%
Laura Fine — 18%
Kat Abughazaleh — 18%
Mike Simmons — 7%
Phil Andrew — 7%
Bushra Amiwala — 4%
Hoan Huynh — 3%
Chicago-market ad buy: United Democracy Project, the AIPAC-aligned super PAC, is running spots backing Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin in the #IL07 Democratic primary to succeed retiring Rep. Danny Davis. Video ⬇️
February 10, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Chicago-market ad buy: United Democracy Project, the AIPAC-aligned super PAC, is running spots backing Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin in the #IL07 Democratic primary to succeed retiring Rep. Danny Davis. Video ⬇️
🚨 AIPAC is buying network Chicago TV in support of Melissa Conyears Ervin in IL07
February 10, 2026 at 2:17 AM
🚨 AIPAC is buying network Chicago TV in support of Melissa Conyears Ervin in IL07
IL07 2025 Q4 Cash on Hand:
Jason Friedman $1.03M
Thomas Fisher $455K
LaShawn Ford $308K
Kina Collins? Still waiting on her filing.
Jason Friedman $1.03M
Thomas Fisher $455K
LaShawn Ford $308K
Kina Collins? Still waiting on her filing.
February 7, 2026 at 9:04 PM
IL07 2025 Q4 Cash on Hand:
Jason Friedman $1.03M
Thomas Fisher $455K
LaShawn Ford $308K
Kina Collins? Still waiting on her filing.
Jason Friedman $1.03M
Thomas Fisher $455K
LaShawn Ford $308K
Kina Collins? Still waiting on her filing.
Reposted by Frank Calabrese
NEW: Elect Chicago Women, a super PAC which @shiakapos.bsky.social reported is AIPAC-backed, spent more than $570k to support IL-09 candidate Laura Fine, new FEC filing shows:
- 400k for TV
- 51k for mailers
- 100k prob. for YouTube
- 23k for ad production
🧵
- 400k for TV
- 51k for mailers
- 100k prob. for YouTube
- 23k for ad production
🧵
AIPAC-aligned super PAC spent six digits on Fine ads, filings show
New super PAC Elect Chicago Women spent $400,000 on television advertisements and more than $50,000 on mailers this week in support of State Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview)’s campaign to represent Illino...
dailynorthwestern.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:58 AM
NEW: Elect Chicago Women, a super PAC which @shiakapos.bsky.social reported is AIPAC-backed, spent more than $570k to support IL-09 candidate Laura Fine, new FEC filing shows:
- 400k for TV
- 51k for mailers
- 100k prob. for YouTube
- 23k for ad production
🧵
- 400k for TV
- 51k for mailers
- 100k prob. for YouTube
- 23k for ad production
🧵
Reposted by Frank Calabrese
Two days after their ads started blanketing TV, pop-up super PACs "Elect Chicago Women" and "Affordable Chicago Now!" filed their first 48-hr reports. ECW spent $574,476 for Laura Fine in IL-9, and $579,581 for Melissa Bean in IL-8. ACN spent $365,750 for Donna Miller in IL-2.
February 7, 2026 at 12:24 AM
Two days after their ads started blanketing TV, pop-up super PACs "Elect Chicago Women" and "Affordable Chicago Now!" filed their first 48-hr reports. ECW spent $574,476 for Laura Fine in IL-9, and $579,581 for Melissa Bean in IL-8. ACN spent $365,750 for Donna Miller in IL-2.
New polling numbers for the Illinois U.S. Senate race are out:
Raja Krishnamoorthi: 34%
Juliana Stratton: 23%
Robin Kelly: 8%
This poll, paid for by the DLGA, shows that the Strattonmentum is real as she climbs.
Raja Krishnamoorthi: 34%
Juliana Stratton: 23%
Robin Kelly: 8%
This poll, paid for by the DLGA, shows that the Strattonmentum is real as she climbs.
February 6, 2026 at 5:15 PM
New polling numbers for the Illinois U.S. Senate race are out:
Raja Krishnamoorthi: 34%
Juliana Stratton: 23%
Robin Kelly: 8%
This poll, paid for by the DLGA, shows that the Strattonmentum is real as she climbs.
Raja Krishnamoorthi: 34%
Juliana Stratton: 23%
Robin Kelly: 8%
This poll, paid for by the DLGA, shows that the Strattonmentum is real as she climbs.
Reposted by Frank Calabrese
Over on the other site, @frankcalabrese.bsky.social reported that two brand-new super PACs, "Elect Chicago Women" and "Affordable Chicago Now!", have made big ad buys on ABC7. So I did the reasonable thing and got up stupid early to see them -- see below for all three that played in the last hour.
February 4, 2026 at 11:22 AM
Over on the other site, @frankcalabrese.bsky.social reported that two brand-new super PACs, "Elect Chicago Women" and "Affordable Chicago Now!", have made big ad buys on ABC7. So I did the reasonable thing and got up stupid early to see them -- see below for all three that played in the last hour.
New internal GBAO poll from the Laura Fine campaign shows a tie at the top among likely IL09 Democratic primary voters:
🔹 Laura Fine: 21%
🔹 Daniel Biss: 21%
🔹 Kat Abughazaleh: 14%
🔹 Mike Simmons: 7%
🔹 Bushra Amiwala: 5%
🔹 Phil Andrew: 4%
🔹 Hoan Huynh: 4%
🔹 Laura Fine: 21%
🔹 Daniel Biss: 21%
🔹 Kat Abughazaleh: 14%
🔹 Mike Simmons: 7%
🔹 Bushra Amiwala: 5%
🔹 Phil Andrew: 4%
🔹 Hoan Huynh: 4%
February 3, 2026 at 10:47 PM
New internal GBAO poll from the Laura Fine campaign shows a tie at the top among likely IL09 Democratic primary voters:
🔹 Laura Fine: 21%
🔹 Daniel Biss: 21%
🔹 Kat Abughazaleh: 14%
🔹 Mike Simmons: 7%
🔹 Bushra Amiwala: 5%
🔹 Phil Andrew: 4%
🔹 Hoan Huynh: 4%
🔹 Laura Fine: 21%
🔹 Daniel Biss: 21%
🔹 Kat Abughazaleh: 14%
🔹 Mike Simmons: 7%
🔹 Bushra Amiwala: 5%
🔹 Phil Andrew: 4%
🔹 Hoan Huynh: 4%
Thanks @tahmanbradley.bsky.social for having me on @wgntv.com! 📺
February 3, 2026 at 12:59 PM
Thanks @tahmanbradley.bsky.social for having me on @wgntv.com! 📺
FOX 32 Chicago’s Anita Blanton presses Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele on her DUI arrest. Steele denies being drunk, says Chicago Police Department bodycam was edited, and claims she’s a victim of “deep fakes."
February 2, 2026 at 6:31 AM
FOX 32 Chicago’s Anita Blanton presses Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele on her DUI arrest. Steele denies being drunk, says Chicago Police Department bodycam was edited, and claims she’s a victim of “deep fakes."
Laura Fine narrowly leads IL-09 Democratic primary fundraising 💰
Laura Fine $1.44 Million cash on hand
Daniel Biss $1.38M
Laura Fine $1.44 Million cash on hand
Daniel Biss $1.38M
February 1, 2026 at 5:58 AM
Laura Fine narrowly leads IL-09 Democratic primary fundraising 💰
Laura Fine $1.44 Million cash on hand
Daniel Biss $1.38M
Laura Fine $1.44 Million cash on hand
Daniel Biss $1.38M
Raja Krishnamoorthi dominates IL Senate Democratic primary fundraising:
Raja Krishnamoorthi $15.25 Million cash on hand💰
Robin Kelly $1.60M
Juliana Stratton $1.12M
Raja Krishnamoorthi $15.25 Million cash on hand💰
Robin Kelly $1.60M
Juliana Stratton $1.12M
February 1, 2026 at 3:25 AM
Raja Krishnamoorthi dominates IL Senate Democratic primary fundraising:
Raja Krishnamoorthi $15.25 Million cash on hand💰
Robin Kelly $1.60M
Juliana Stratton $1.12M
Raja Krishnamoorthi $15.25 Million cash on hand💰
Robin Kelly $1.60M
Juliana Stratton $1.12M
Melissa Bean dominates IL-08 Democratic primary fundraising:
Melissa Bean $1.009 Million💰
Junaid Ahmed $835K
Neil Khot $573K
Melissa Bean $1.009 Million💰
Junaid Ahmed $835K
Neil Khot $573K
February 1, 2026 at 3:01 AM
Melissa Bean dominates IL-08 Democratic primary fundraising:
Melissa Bean $1.009 Million💰
Junaid Ahmed $835K
Neil Khot $573K
Melissa Bean $1.009 Million💰
Junaid Ahmed $835K
Neil Khot $573K
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller dominates IL-02 Democratic primary fundraising:
Donna Miller $978K cash on hand
Robert Peters $263K
Jesse Jackson $90K
Donna Miller $978K cash on hand
Robert Peters $263K
Jesse Jackson $90K
February 1, 2026 at 2:43 AM
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller dominates IL-02 Democratic primary fundraising:
Donna Miller $978K cash on hand
Robert Peters $263K
Jesse Jackson $90K
Donna Miller $978K cash on hand
Robert Peters $263K
Jesse Jackson $90K
2027 Chicago mayor money race (cash on hand after 2025 Q4):
Alexi Giannoulias $6.35M
Susana Mendoza $1.60M
Brandon Johnson $829K
Bill Conway $693K
Joe Holberg $489K
John Kelly Jr $416K
Alexi Giannoulias $6.35M
Susana Mendoza $1.60M
Brandon Johnson $829K
Bill Conway $693K
Joe Holberg $489K
John Kelly Jr $416K
January 16, 2026 at 3:11 AM
2027 Chicago mayor money race (cash on hand after 2025 Q4):
Alexi Giannoulias $6.35M
Susana Mendoza $1.60M
Brandon Johnson $829K
Bill Conway $693K
Joe Holberg $489K
John Kelly Jr $416K
Alexi Giannoulias $6.35M
Susana Mendoza $1.60M
Brandon Johnson $829K
Bill Conway $693K
Joe Holberg $489K
John Kelly Jr $416K
Cook County Board President money race (cash at end of 2025 Q4):
Toni Preckwinkle: $614,201.01
Brendan Reilly: $1,270,565.06
Reilly leads by about $656K heading into the last 2 months. 💰📊
Toni Preckwinkle: $614,201.01
Brendan Reilly: $1,270,565.06
Reilly leads by about $656K heading into the last 2 months. 💰📊
January 16, 2026 at 12:28 AM
Cook County Board President money race (cash at end of 2025 Q4):
Toni Preckwinkle: $614,201.01
Brendan Reilly: $1,270,565.06
Reilly leads by about $656K heading into the last 2 months. 💰📊
Toni Preckwinkle: $614,201.01
Brendan Reilly: $1,270,565.06
Reilly leads by about $656K heading into the last 2 months. 💰📊
US Supreme Court rules 5-2-2 in Bost v. Illinois Bd. of Elections, Congressman Mike Bost (R-Illinois) has standing to challenge mail-in ballot votes arriving AFTER Election Day. Roberts opinion; Jackson/Sotomayor dissent.
January 14, 2026 at 4:17 PM
US Supreme Court rules 5-2-2 in Bost v. Illinois Bd. of Elections, Congressman Mike Bost (R-Illinois) has standing to challenge mail-in ballot votes arriving AFTER Election Day. Roberts opinion; Jackson/Sotomayor dissent.
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis announces retirement effective Jan. 29, 2026. The Court appointed 1st District Appellate Justice Sanjay T. Tailor to fill her seat starting Jan. 30. Tailor will be the first Asian American on the IL Supreme Court.
January 12, 2026 at 11:16 PM
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis announces retirement effective Jan. 29, 2026. The Court appointed 1st District Appellate Justice Sanjay T. Tailor to fill her seat starting Jan. 30. Tailor will be the first Asian American on the IL Supreme Court.
Terrible week for Laura Fine
>Widely reported that AIPAC was pressuring Bruce Leon to drop out to consolidate orthodox Jewish support for Laura Fine
>Candidates condemn AIPAC
>Jan Schawosky endorses Dan Biss
>Bruce Leon now refuses to drop out
>Widely reported that AIPAC was pressuring Bruce Leon to drop out to consolidate orthodox Jewish support for Laura Fine
>Candidates condemn AIPAC
>Jan Schawosky endorses Dan Biss
>Bruce Leon now refuses to drop out
January 8, 2026 at 11:49 PM
Terrible week for Laura Fine
>Widely reported that AIPAC was pressuring Bruce Leon to drop out to consolidate orthodox Jewish support for Laura Fine
>Candidates condemn AIPAC
>Jan Schawosky endorses Dan Biss
>Bruce Leon now refuses to drop out
>Widely reported that AIPAC was pressuring Bruce Leon to drop out to consolidate orthodox Jewish support for Laura Fine
>Candidates condemn AIPAC
>Jan Schawosky endorses Dan Biss
>Bruce Leon now refuses to drop out
IL-02 Democratic primary: Jesse Jackson Jr leads by wide margin.
Jackson Jr. 24%
Miller 9%
Brown 9%
Preston 6%
Peters 5%
Poll conducted Dec. 1–8 by Global Strategy Group. Paid for by Donna Miller.
Jackson Jr. 24%
Miller 9%
Brown 9%
Preston 6%
Peters 5%
Poll conducted Dec. 1–8 by Global Strategy Group. Paid for by Donna Miller.
January 8, 2026 at 1:33 PM
IL-02 Democratic primary: Jesse Jackson Jr leads by wide margin.
Jackson Jr. 24%
Miller 9%
Brown 9%
Preston 6%
Peters 5%
Poll conducted Dec. 1–8 by Global Strategy Group. Paid for by Donna Miller.
Jackson Jr. 24%
Miller 9%
Brown 9%
Preston 6%
Peters 5%
Poll conducted Dec. 1–8 by Global Strategy Group. Paid for by Donna Miller.
Entrepreneur Joe Holberg just loaned $400,000 to his Chicago mayoral campaign. Since it's before the 12-month window prior to the 2/23/2027 primary, it doesn't trigger the removal of contribution limits under state law.
December 26, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Entrepreneur Joe Holberg just loaned $400,000 to his Chicago mayoral campaign. Since it's before the 12-month window prior to the 2/23/2027 primary, it doesn't trigger the removal of contribution limits under state law.
Merry Christmas everyone! 🎄🎅🎁
December 23, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Merry Christmas everyone! 🎄🎅🎁