Rep. Schakowsky says future is undecided despite media report; Durbin, though, announces retirement

(Editor’s Note: This story was reported by Alex Harrison for the Evanston RoundTable, a neighboring independent newsroom. It was shared with The Record as part of an ongoing collaborative effort.)

While reporting from Politico on Wednesday details her plans to retire, U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-9th District) says she is still undecided on whether she will run for another her 15th term in 2026.

The Politico article states that two people familiar with the veteran congresswoman’s plans confirmed that she will make a retirement announcement next month. Schakowsky, though, wrote in an X post Wednesday afternoon that she intends to decide on her 2026 plans “in the coming weeks” and will announce her decision on May 5, the same date as her annual Ultimate Women’s Power Lunch in Chicago.

Schakowsky, 80, won her 14th term representing Wilmette, Northfield and other nearby communities in November, but by March already faced a presumed primary challenge from progressive influencer Kat Abughazaleh. At the time of Abughazaleh’s announcement, Schakowsky wrote that she was “glad to see new faces getting involved” in Democrats’ fight against Trump, but did not indicate her own plans for 2026, and hasn’t made any official announcements since then.

Beyond Abughazaleh, a race to succeed Schakowsky would likely draw in several established Democratic candidates already holding local office. Politico reports that Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and state Sen. Laura Fine (D-9th District) are “widely expected to enter the race after Schakowsky makes her plans public.”

Fellow longtime Democratic leader Dick Durbin, 80, announced his own retirement plans on social media Wednesday morning, saying in a video that “I know in my heart it’s time to pass the torch” after serving four terms in the Senate and seven in the House of Representatives.

Durbin’s seat, which is also up for election in 2026, is expected to draw an even larger pool of candidates, including Illinois Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton and U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-8th District) and Lauren Underwood (D-14th).

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Become a member of The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a member? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.