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AIPAC Splits in Illinois Races After $20M in Spending

By Donald Shaw,

Published on Mar 18, 2026   —   3 min read

Melissa Bean prevailed in the IL-8 Democratic primary, after being backed by nearly $4 million in ads from the AIPAC-tied Elect Chicago Women super PAC. (Melissa Bean for Congress)

Summary

AIPAC-tied groups poured millions into yesterday’s Illinois Democratic primaries, much of it from undisclosed sources. Here’s how it turned out.

Last night’s Illinois Democratic primaries showed the power—and limits—of AIPAC spending in four open-seat races in the Chicago area, where the group’s super PACs dumped more than $20 million into safe blue districts, securing two wins and suffering two losses, and ultimately blocking any progressive “Squad”-style candidates from claiming a seat.

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Donald Shaw

Donald Shaw is a journalist based in rural Western Massachusetts.

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