{{Short description|American politician (born 1966)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Laura Fine | image = Laura Fine 20180807 11 (1).jpg | caption = Fine in 2018 | state_senate = Illinois | district = 9th | term_start = January 6, 2019 | term_end = | predecessor = Daniel Biss | successor = | state_house1 = Illinois | district1 = 17th | term_start1 = January 8, 2013 | term_end1 = January 6, 2019 | predecessor1 = Daniel Biss | successor1 = Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1966|12|13}} | birth_place = Skokie, Illinois, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Democratic | spouse = Michael | children = 2 | education = Indiana University, Bloomington (BA)<br>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, representing parts of Chicago and several North Shore suburbs in Cook County.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Illinois State Senate District 9 |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Illinois_State_Senate_District_9 |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}</ref> 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 and sought to succeed Representative Jan Schakowsky in the 2026 U.S. House elections, placing third behind Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and social media influencer Kat Abughazaleh.
== Early life and education == Fine grew up in Glenview in a Jewish household.<ref name="Jewish Insider 2025-05-06">{{cite news |last1=Kassel |first1=Matthew |title=Schakowsky retirement sets up Illinois Democratic primary battle over Mideast policy |url=https://jewishinsider.com/2025/05/jan-schakowsky-laura-fine-north-shore-chicago-illinois/ |access-date=May 6, 2025 |work=Jewish Insider |date=May 6, 2025}}</ref> She graduated from Glenbrook South High School and later attended Indiana University, graduating in 1985 with a B.A. in telecommunications. Fine received a master's degree in political science from Northeastern Illinois University.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 16, 2012 |title=About Laura |website=Laura Fine for State Rep - 17th District Illinois |url=http://fineforstaterep.com/about-laura/ |access-date=August 1, 2016}}</ref>
==Political career == Fine represented the 17th district of the Illinois House of Representatives from 2013 to 2019<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/biss-fine-take-oath-one-day-early/|title=Biss Fine Take Oath One Day Early|last=Robb|first=Tom|date=January 9, 2013|website=Journal & Topics|access-date=February 2, 2019}}</ref> and served as Northfield Township Clerk from 2009 to 2012.<ref>{{cite web |title=Laura Fine – 2026 Primary Election |url=https://news.wttw.com/elections/voters-guide/2026-primary/laura-fine |website=WTTW |access-date=23 February 2026}}</ref>
On July 28, 2017, Fine announced her intention to run for the state senate seat being vacated by Daniel Biss. After running unopposed in the primary, Fine won the 2018 general election.<ref>{{cite news|last=Miller|first=Rich|title=Rep. Fine to run for Biss seat|date=July 28, 2017|url=https://capitolfax.com/2017/07/28/rep-fine-to-run-for-biss-seat/|access-date=July 31, 2017|newspaper=Capitol Fax|location=Springfield, Illinois}}</ref> She took office on January 6, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.illinoissenatedemocrats.com/caucus-news/106-senator-laura-fine-news/6860-fine-sworn-in-as-state-senator|title=Fine sworn in as State Senator|date=January 7, 2019|publisher=Illinois Senate Democrats|access-date=February 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407142002/https://www.illinoissenatedemocrats.com/caucus-news/106-senator-laura-fine-news/6860-fine-sworn-in-as-state-senator | archive-date = April 7, 2020}}</ref>
Fine is a member of the following Illinois Senate committees:<ref>{{Cite web |last=System |first=Legislative Information |date=2024-06-14 |title=Official Government Website of the Illinois General Assembly |url=https://ilga.gov/ |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=ilga.gov |language=en}}</ref>
*Behavioral and Mental Health (Chair) *Insurance (Vice-chair) *Environment and Conservation *Health and Human Services *Judiciary *Public Health *Worker's Compensation
Fine serves as the chair of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus, whose mission is to create policies to restore and protect the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River basin.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About the GLLC - Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus |url=https://gllc.csgmidwest.org/about-the-gllc/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=gllc.csgmidwest.org}}</ref>
===2026 congressional campaign=== {{main|2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois#District 9}} 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 included Evanston mayor Daniel Biss, journalist and social media influencer Kat Abughazaleh, former FBI agent Phil Andrew, and eleven other candidates.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Olander |first1=Olivia |title=Glenview state Sen. Laura Fine joins race to replace US Rep. Jan Schakowsky |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/06/laura-fine-announces-congress/ |access-date=May 6, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=May 6, 2025}}</ref> ''The Chicago Tribune'' said of the race that "what might once have been a largely local affair has become a fight about the political party’s direction as much as constituent issues in the district."<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2026-03-03 |title=Big money and national issues collide in 'quarter-century opportunity' to succeed US Rep. Jan Schakowsky |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/03/illinois-9th-congressional-big-money/ |access-date=2026-03-05 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref>
Fine received over 100 endorsements from political figures and organizations,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=SyriacPress |date=2026-03-09 |title=Assyrian American PAC endorses Illinois State Senator Laura Fine for US Congress |url=https://syriacpress.com/blog/2026/03/09/assyrian-american-pac-endorses-illinois-state-senator-laura-fine-for-us-congress/ |access-date=2026-03-10 |website=SyriacPress |language=en-US}}</ref> including congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kapos |first=Shia |date=2026-02-06 |title=Harmon slows Pritzker's pension push |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2026/02/06/harmon-slows-pritzkers-pension-push-00768581 |access-date=2026-03-03 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}</ref> former congresswoman Cheri Bustos, the left-leaning PAC Elect Democratic Women,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kapos |first=Shia |date=2026-01-22 |title=Illinois House Dems torch Trump |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2026/01/22/illinois-house-torches-trump-00740688 |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}</ref> the ''Daily Herald,''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dailyherald.com/20260219/endorsements/our-choice-for-democrats-in-congress-district-9/ |access-date=2026-03-03 |website=www.dailyherald.com|title=Our Choice for Democrats in Congress District 9|date=February 19, 2026|url-access=subscription|url-status=live}}</ref> and the ''Chicago Tribune.''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2026-02-03 |title=Editorial: Laura Fine for Democratic nomination in 9th Congressional District |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/03/editorial-laura-fine-phil-andrew-dan-biss-jan-schakowsky-ninth-district-endorsement/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> Fine did not seek AIPAC's endorsement,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lacy |first=Akela |last2=Valdez |first2=Jonah |date=2025-12-16 |title=AIPAC Head Hosts Fundraiser for House Candidate Who Swears AIPAC Isn't Backing Her |url=https://theintercept.com/2025/12/16/laura-fine-illinois-primary-aipac-donors/ |access-date=2025-12-31 |website=The Intercept |language=en-US}}</ref> although individual AIPAC donors, contributed to her campaign.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dayen |first1=David |last2=Grim |first2=Ryan |title=AIPAC Coordinates Donors in Illinois House Primaries |url=https://prospect.org/2026/02/06/aipac-coordinates-donors-in-illinois-house-primaries/ |access-date=3 March 2026 |publisher=The American Prospect |date=6 February 2026}}</ref> AIPAC board President Michael Tuchin hosted a fundraiser on her behalf,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lacey |first1=Akela |last2=Valdez |first2=Jonah |title=AIPAC Head Hosts Fundraiser for House Candidate Who Swears AIPAC Isn't Backing Her |url=https://theintercept.com/2025/12/16/laura-fine-illinois-primary-aipac-donors/ |access-date=3 March 2026 |publisher=The Intercept |date=16 December 2026}}</ref> and a Super PAC associated with AIPAC spent over a million dollars in ads supporting her campaign.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kapos |first1=Shia |title=AIPAC's cash complicates crowded Illinois primaries |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/25/aipacs-cash-complicates-crowded-illinois-primaries-00797660 |access-date=3 March 2026 |publisher=Politico |date=25 February 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Lacey |first1=Akela |title=AIPAC Is Flooding Illinois With Cash. Pro-Palestine Groups Are Backing Kat Abughazaleh. |url=https://theintercept.com/2026/02/12/aipac-illinois-kat-abughazaleh-congress-pal-pac/ |access-date=17 February 2026 |publisher=The Intercept |date=17 February 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Eadie |first1=Matthew |title=Who's behind the new Super PAC ads on TV? |url=https://evanstonnow.com/whos-behind-the-new-super-pac-ads-on-tv/ |access-date=16 February 2026 |publisher=Evanston Now |date=4 February 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Vakil |first1=Caroline |title=Progressive groups back Abughazaleh in crowded Dem field for Illinois House seat |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5735149-democratic-primary-israel-palestine-rift/ |access-date=16 February 2026 |publisher=The Hill |date=12 February 2026}}</ref> A few weeks before the March 17 primary, Biss and Fine began trading accusations over campaign finance misconduct, and both campaigns announced that surrogates filed complaints against the other with the Federal Election Commission (FEC).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harrison |first1=Alex |title=Biss and Fine campaigns trade accusations of financial misconduct |url=https://evanstonroundtable.com/2026/02/25/biss-and-fine-campaigns-trade-accusations-of-financial-misconduct/ |access-date=2 March 2026 |publisher=Evanston Round Table |date=25 February 2026}}</ref>
According to ''The Daily Northwestern'', "In her congressional run, Fine has most expounded upon her achievements in the healthcare and insurance sectors, which she claimed have made Illinois one of the most 'consumer-friendly' states."<ref name=":3" />
Daniel Biss won the primary election, securing 29.6% of the vote in the field of 15 candidates. Fine finished in third.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Elena |title=Daniel Biss wins Democratic primary for closely-watched Illinois House seat |url=https://www.npr.org/2026/03/17/nx-s1-5751169/illinois-primary-ninth-district-daniel-biss-kat-abughazaleh |access-date=20 March 2026 |agency=NPR |date=17 March 2026}}</ref>
==Political positions== ===Environment=== In March 2025, Fine introduced legislation that would ban styrofoam containers from being sold in the state beginning in 2030. The bill makes an exception for egg cartons, and manufacturers will still be able to export the containers outside of Illinois.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Diakite |first1=Moussa |title=Manufacturers would stop selling Styrofoam containers under Illinois bill |url=https://www.wcia.com/news/capitol-news/manufacturers-would-stop-selling-styrofoam-containers-under-illinois-bill/ |access-date=2 March 2026 |publisher=WCIA |date=26 March 2025}}</ref> {{As of|2026|03|post=,}} this bill had not yet become law.<ref>{{cite web |title=Senate Bill 1531 |url=https://legiscan.com/IL/bill/SB1531/2025 |publisher=LegiScan}}</ref> Fine also sponsored legislation in 2023 to phase out "forever chemicals" from firefighting foam.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schoonover |first=Andrew Adams, Nika |date=2023-05-18 |title=UPDATED: Environmental bills seek to improve soil health, ban state use of polystyrene foam containers |url=https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/updated-environmental-bills-seek-to-improve-soil-health-ban-state-use-of-polystyrene-foam-containers/ |access-date=2026-03-03 |website=Capitol News Illinois |language=en-US}}</ref> She told ''The'' ''Loyola Phoenix'' that she sees a connection between green energy adoption and union jobs, and that she would work towards fully transitioning the United States away from fossil fuels in the future.<ref name=":1" />
=== LGBT rights === In 2021, Fine introduced legislation that would make it easier for transgender people to change the gender designation on their birth certificates. A different version of this bill was signed into law in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Olsen |first=Dean |title=Bill allowing gender changes to birth certificates without doctor's note stalls in Senate |url=https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/2021/05/26/senate-sponsor-bill-pledges-call-another-vote-may-31/7450038002/ |access-date=2026-03-02 |website=The State Journal-Register |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=release |url=https://www.illinois.gov/news/release.html |access-date=2026-03-02 |website=www.illinois.gov |language=en}}</ref> Fine said she opposes federal legislation to ban gender-affirming care for children.<ref name=":4" />
===Israel=== ''Jewish Insider'' described her political platform as being strongly pro-Israel.<ref name="Jewish Insider 2025-05-06" /> In a position paper obtained by the news outlet, Fine said Israel is “more than just a strategic ally, it is a beacon of democracy in one of the world’s most volatile regions.” Additionally, she said she "fully support[s] the current portfolio of U.S. security assistance to Israel, including the $3.8 billion annual commitment [...], which includes critical funding for weapons systems." She added that she does “not support additional conditions on aid to Israel, militarily or otherwise.”<ref name="pp">{{cite news |last1=Rod |first1=Marc |title=Laura Fine champions pro-Israel record in position paper |url=https://jewishinsider.com/2026/02/laura-fine-israel-position-paper/ |access-date=3 March 2026 |publisher=Jewish Insider |date=25 February 2026}}</ref> Fine told ''The'' ''Loyola Phoenix'' that Israel hasn't committed genocide in Gaza, but has committed unacceptable collective punishment. She also said that she supports a two-state solution.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Steffens |first=Jackson |date=2025-10-22 |title=Congressional Catch-up: Laura Fine {{!}} The Loyola Phoenix |url=https://loyolaphoenix.com/2025/10/congressional-catch-up-laura-fine/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |language=en-US}}</ref> Fine told ''The Daily Northwestern'' that she was a longtime participant in Hands of Peace, an interfaith nonprofit connecting Israeli, Palestinian and American youth for extensive dialogue programs over the summer, and that this was "crucial to her belief in a peaceful future for Israelis and Palestinians."<ref name=":3" />
===Immigration=== Fine told the ''Daily Herald'' that ICE should be abolished and referred to its agents as "Trump’s private army."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dailyherald.com/20260212/us-congress-politics/many-but-not-all-9th-congressional-district-democratic-candidates-say-abolish-ice/ |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=www.dailyherald.com|title=Many — but not all — 9th Congressional District Democratic candidates say abolish ICE|date=Feb 12, 2026|last=Lissau|first=Russell}}</ref> She also introduced legislation in the Illinois Senate that would ban ICE agents from becoming law enforcement officers in Illinois.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Scott |date=2026-02-04 |title=New bill would ban ICE agents from becoming law enforcement officers in Illinois |url=https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/new-bill-would-ban-ice-agents-from-becoming-law-enforcement-officers-illinois |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=FOX 32 Chicago |language=en-US}}</ref> {{As of|2026|03|post=,}} it had not yet received a vote.<ref>{{cite web |title=Senate Bill 2820|url=https://legiscan.com/IL/bill/SB2820/2026 |publisher=LegiScan}}</ref>
===Healthcare=== ''The'' ''Loyola Phoenix'' reported that Fine supports legal access to abortion.<ref name=":1" /> In 2023, she sponsored a bill that gave Illinois insurance regulators authority to review health insurance rate changes. Fine said this would "make the pricing of health insurance more transparent to consumers and give regulators the ability to determine whether consumers are being overcharged."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Illinois |first=Capitol News |date=2023-06-28 |title=Pritzker signs bills altering Illinois' health insurance market - IPM Newsroom |url=https://ipmnewsroom.org/pritzker-signs-bills-altering-illinois-health-insurance-market/ |access-date=2026-03-03 |language=en-US}}</ref> Fine told the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' that she supports programs like Medicare for All.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Sfondeles |first=Tina |date=2026-02-25 |title=Crowded field of 15 Democrats jockey to succeed U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2026/02/25/congressional-9th-district-15-democrats-march-17-primary-jan-schakowsky-seat |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=Chicago Sun-Times |language=en}}</ref> She also told ''The Daily Northwestern'' that her "next ambition is to lay the groundwork for a Medicare for All single-payer national health insurance system."<ref name=":3" />
Fine played a role in establishing and chairing the Illinois Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee during the COVID-19 pandemic. ''The Daily Northwestern'' said that the committee has helped establish mental health parity in the state, which requires insurance to cover both mental and physical health care.<ref name=":3" />
===War with Iran=== In the position paper obtained by ''Jewish Insider,'' which was written before the start of the 2026 Iran war, Fine said she supported military action and "The stakes are too high to tolerate halfway measures."<ref name="pp"/> Ηοwever, after the strikes began, she released a statement saying, "Trump needed to be reined in and impeached."<ref name=":4" />
=== Assyrian community === Fine has emphasized the significance of the Assyrian community in the district. She voiced support for the official recognition of 1915 Sayfo Genocide targeting the Syriac, Greek, and Armenian peoples. She expressed support for the return of Syriac families to their historic homeland and backed the implementation of Article 125 of the Iraqi Constitution, which guarantees administrative and cultural rights for ethnic minorities, including the establishment of a self-governing safe area in Nineveh Plains.<ref name=":5" />
==Personal life== Fine and her husband, Michael, have two sons.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Representative Biography |url=http://www.ilga.gov/house/Rep.asp?MemberID=2040 |access-date=August 1, 2016 |publisher=Illinois General Assembly}}</ref> She first ran for office after her husband was in a car accident and their health insurance policy was canceled.<ref name=":2" /> After almost facing bankruptcy, Fine studied and received an insurance license to better understand the industry behind her family's struggles.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=city |last2=Echeverria |first2=Marisa Guerra |date=2026-03-04 |title=Laura Fine looks to 'get things done,' emphasizes legislative experience |url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2026/03/04/lateststories/laura-fine-looks-to-get-things-done-emphasizes-legislative-record-in-congressional-bid/ |access-date=2026-03-05 |website=The Daily Northwestern}}</ref> ==Electoral Results== {{Election box begin no change | title = 2026 U.S. House of Representatives, Illinois's 9th Congressional District - Democratic primary results<ref>{{cite web |title=Illinois Ninth Congressional District Primary 2026: Live Election Results |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/us/elections/results-illinois-us-house-9-primary.html |publisher=New York Times |access-date=20 March 2026}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Daniel Biss | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 36,781 | percentage = 29.6 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Kat Abughazaleh | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 32,271 | percentage = 25.9 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Laura Fine | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 25,326 | percentage = 20.3 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Mike Simmons | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 8,647 | percentage = 7.0 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Phil Andrew | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 7,709 | percentage = 6.2 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Bushra Amiwala | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 6,240 | percentage = 5.0 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Hoan Huynh | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 2,174 | percentage = 1.8 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Patricia Brown | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 1,600 | percentage = 1.3 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Jeff Cohen | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 1,041 | percentage = 0.8 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Justin Ford | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 748 | percentage = 0.6 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Bethany Johnson | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 613 | percentage = 0.5 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Sam Polan | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 508 | percentage = 0.4 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Howard Rosenblum | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 296 | percentage = 0.2 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Nick Pyati | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 227 | percentage = 0.2 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Mark Fredrickson | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 213 | percentage = 0.2 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 124,201 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official website|http://www.laurafineforcongress.org|Campaign website}} *[http://www.ilga.gov/house/Rep.asp?GA=98&MemberID=2040 Representative Laura Fine (D) 17th District] at the Illinois General Assembly **By session: [http://www.ilga.gov/house/Rep.asp?GA=98&MemberID=2040 98th], [http://www.ilga.gov/house/Rep.asp?GA=97&MemberID=2038 97th] *[http://fineforstaterep.com/ Laura Fine for State Representative] [https://web.archive.org/web/20170518055008/http://fineforstaterep.com/ archived version] *{{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=135036 | fec= | congress= }}<!-- Links formerly displayed via the CongLinks template: *[http://ballotpedia.org/Laura_Fine Biography] at Ballotpedia *[http://www.followthemoney.org/database/uniquecandidate.phtml?uc=413165 Financial information (state office)] at the National Institute for Money in State Politics * --> *[http://www.housedem.state.il.us/members/finel/index.htm Rep. Laura Fine] at Illinois House Democrats *[https://web.archive.org/web/20121101015739/http://elections.chicagotribune.com/editorial/laura-fine/ 2012 Editorial board questionnaire] at the ''Chicago Tribune''
{{Illinois State Senators|state=collapsed}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fine, Laura}} Category:1967 births Category:Living people Category:Democratic Party Illinois state senators Category:Democratic Party members of the Illinois House of Representatives Category:Glenbrook South High School alumni Category:21st-century members of the Illinois General Assembly Category:Women state legislators in Illinois Category:Jewish state legislators in Illinois Category:Jewish American women in politics Category:21st-century American women politicians Category:Northeastern Illinois University alumni Category:Indiana University alumni Category:People from Glenview, Illinois Category:Candidates in the 2026 United States House of Representatives elections