After 14 terms in Congress, Rep. Jan Schakowsky plans to retire next month at age 80, setting off a scramble among Illinois Democrats for her safely blue seat representing the state’s 9th congressional district.
Key Insights
- Rep. Jan Schakowsky will announce her retirement on May 5th after serving in Congress since 1999, coinciding with her annual Ultimate Women’s Power Lunch in Chicago.
- Schakowsky’s political career has been marked by progressive activism, controversial statements on manufacturing, and evolving positions on Israel.
- Her husband Robert Creamer’s conviction for bank fraud and tax evasion complicated her political aspirations beyond her congressional seat.
- State Sen. Laura Fine is considered the frontrunner among potential successors, which also include Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and progressive challenger Kat Abughazaleh.
- Her retirement announcement coincided with news of Senator Dick Durbin’s planned retirement, signaling a significant shift in Illinois’ Democratic leadership.
Schakowsky’s Congressional Legacy
Representative Jan Schakowsky, who has been a fixture in Illinois’ 9th congressional district since 1999, plans to officially announce her retirement next month. The 80-year-old Democrat has confirmed she will make the announcement during her annual Ultimate Women’s Power Lunch in Chicago on May 5th. Her decision marks the end of a lengthy political career that began with consumer activism before transitioning to roles as a state legislator and eventually a member of Congress.
Throughout her 14 terms, Schakowsky established herself as a reliable progressive voice in the House. She occasionally gained national attention for controversial statements, including her remarks questioning women’s abilities in manufacturing and her steadfast support for Obamacare. Her initial goal of eliminating private insurance companies through healthcare reform highlighted her position on the left wing of the Democratic Party, though her more ambitious plans never materialized into law.
Personal Challenges and Political Limitations
Schakowsky’s political aspirations faced significant obstacles when her husband, Robert Creamer, was convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion. This legal trouble effectively limited her potential for advancement beyond her congressional seat, despite her lengthy tenure and seniority within the Democratic caucus. Her career also saw evolving positions on key issues, particularly regarding Israel, where she shifted from traditional support to more critical stances over time.
She was an early supporter of J Street, an organization frequently at odds with Israeli government policies. This evolution in her position on Israel reflected broader changes within segments of the Democratic Party, particularly among progressives. Despite representing a district with a significant Jewish population, Schakowsky’s positions gradually aligned more with the critical wing of her party on Middle East policy issues.
Electoral History and Competition
Throughout her congressional career, Schakowsky rarely faced serious electoral challenges in her solidly Democratic district. One notable exception came in 2010 when she encountered a competitive race against a conservative challenger during the Tea Party wave. She also stirred controversy during a past campaign when she targeted an opponent’s religious faith, for which she later apologized. These incidents stand as rare blemishes on an otherwise politically secure tenure.
Recently, Schakowsky acquired a primary challenger in Kat Abughazaleh, a YouTube progressive and former Media Matters employee, suggesting potential vulnerability from her left flank. This challenge may have factored into her retirement decision, though the timing also aligns with her advanced age and the natural conclusion of a lengthy political career. Her announcement coincides with news of Senator Dick Durbin’s planned retirement, signaling a significant transition in Illinois Democratic leadership.
Succession Plans and Democratic Contenders
With Schakowsky’s impending departure, several prominent Democrats are positioning themselves as potential successors in the safely blue district. State Senator Laura Fine has emerged as an early frontrunner, with Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss also expressing interest. The district, which includes parts of Chicago’s North Side and northern suburbs, remains a Democratic stronghold, making the primary election the decisive contest for determining the next representative.
While Abughazaleh had already announced her candidacy before Schakowsky’s retirement plans became public, the open seat is likely to draw additional contenders from local Democratic circles. The race will test the district’s political leanings, with candidates potentially differentiating themselves on issues where Schakowsky has been outspoken, including healthcare reform, economic policy, and foreign affairs, particularly regarding Israel and the Middle East.
