Laura Fine
Laura Fine | |
|---|---|
Fine in 2018 | |
| Member of the Illinois Senate from the 9th district | |
| Assumed office January 6, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Daniel Biss |
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 17th district | |
| In office January 8, 2013 – January 6, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Daniel Biss |
| Succeeded by | Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 13, 1966 Skokie, Illinois, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Michael |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Indiana University, Bloomington (BA) Northeastern Illinois University (MA) |
Laura Fine (born December 13, 1966) is an American politician who has served as a member of the Illinois Senate from the 9th district since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously represented the 17th district in the Illinois House of Representatives from 2013 to 2019. In 2025, Fine announced her candidacy for Illinois's 9th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, seeking to succeed Rep. Jan Schakowsky in the 2026 midterm election.
Early life and education
She grew up in Glenview and graduated from Glenbrook South High School. She then graduated from Indiana University with a B.A. in telecommunications in 1985. After graduation, she produced, wrote, reported and anchored news shows. Fine received a master's degree in political science from Northeastern Illinois University, where she later taught courses in American Government and the Constitution.[1]
Political career
Fine previously represented the 17th district of the Illinois House of Representatives from 2013[2] to 2019 and as Northfield Township Clerk from 2009 to 2013.
On July 28, 2017, Fine announced her intention to run for the senate seat being vacated by Daniel Biss. After running unopposed in the primary, Fine won the 2018 general election.[3] She took office on January 6, 2019, finishing out the remaining days of Biss' Senate term before starting her own on January 9.[4]
As of May 2025, Senator Fine is a member of the following Illinois Senate committees:[5]
- Behavioral and Mental Health- Chair
- Insurance- Vice Chair
- Environment and Conservation
- Health and Human Services
- Judiciary
- Public Health
- Worker's Compensation
2026 congressional campaign
On May 6, 2025, Fine announced that she would run for the U.S. House of Representatives in Illinois's 9th congressional district, seeking to succeed retiring incumbent Jan Schakowsky. The field also includes her State Senator predecessor, Daniel Biss, journalist and social media influencer Kat Abughazaleh, high school educator David Abrevaya, and former FBI agent Phil Andrew. [6]
Fine, who is campaigning to win the 2026 Democratic primary election, said she aims to continue Schakowsky's "legacy... as a steadfast progressive representative" and to fight Donald Trump's economic policies. Fine received endorsements from several local Democratic officials.[7] Jewish Insider described her political platform as being more strongly "pro-Israel" than those of several opponents, and also described her as taking a more rigidly "pro-Israel" position than Schakowsky had. The outlet also reported that she had taken large sums of money from AIPAC and "backed continued security assistance to Israel that has faced opposition from some House Democrats".[8]
Personal life
Fine and her husband, Michael, have two sons.[9] Fine is Jewish.[8]
References
- ^ "About Laura". Laura Fine for State Rep - 17th District Illinois. January 16, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- ^ Robb, Tom (January 9, 2013). "Biss Fine Take Oath One Day Early". Journal & Topics. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
- ^ Miller, Rich (July 28, 2017). "Rep. Fine to run for Biss seat". Capitol Fax. Springfield, Illinois. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
- ^ "Fine sworn in as State Senator". Illinois Senate Democrats. January 7, 2019. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
- ^ "Senator Committees". Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
- ^ Olander, Olivia (May 6, 2025). "Glenview state Sen. Laura Fine joins race to replace US Rep. Jan Schakowsky". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
- ^ Harrison, Alex (May 7, 2025). "Schakowsky's exit ignites race for 9th Congressional District". Evanston RoundTable. Archived from the original on May 13, 2025. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
- ^ a b Kassel, Matthew (May 6, 2025). "Schakowsky retirement sets up Illinois Democratic primary battle over Mideast policy". Jewish Insider. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
- ^ "Representative Biography". Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
External links
- Campaign website
- Representative Laura Fine (D) 17th District at the Illinois General Assembly
- Laura Fine for State Representative archived version
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Rep. Laura Fine at Illinois House Democrats
- 2012 Editorial board questionnaire at the Chicago Tribune