Laura Fine

Laura Fine
Fine in 2018
Member of the Illinois Senate
from the 9th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 6, 2019
Preceded byDaniel Biss
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 17th district
In office
January 8, 2013 – January 6, 2019
Preceded byDaniel Biss
Succeeded byJennifer Gong-Gershowitz
Personal details
Born (1966-12-13) December 13, 1966
Skokie, Illinois, U.S.
PartyDemocratic
SpouseMichael
Children2
EducationIndiana 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, representing parts of Chicago and several North Shore suburbs in Cook County.[1] 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

Fine grew up in Glenview in a Jewish household.[2] She graduated from Glenbrook South High School and later attended Indiana University, graduating in 1985 with a B.A. in telecommunications. 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.[3]

Political career

Fine represented the 17th district of the Illinois House of Representatives from 2013 to 2019[4] and served as Northfield Township Clerk from 2009 to 2013.

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.[5] She took office on January 6, 2019.[6]

In 2024, Fine spearheaded a law in the state senate to give the Illinois Department of Insurance more authority to regulate insurers.[7]

On July 30, 2025, Fine introduced Senate Bill 2684, which would create a pilot program to help renters and homeowners cover their insurance premium increases.[8]

In January 2026, Fine co-sponsored the "Prohibited Hiring of Federal Immigration Officers Act," which would prohibit Illinois police departments from hiring anyone who was previously employed by ICE as a federal immigration officer.[9]

Senator Fine is a member of the following Illinois Senate committees:[10]

  • Behavioral and Mental Health (Chair)
  • Insurance (Vice-Chair)
  • Environment and Conservation
  • Health and Human Services
  • Judiciary
  • Public Health
  • Worker's Compensation

2026 congressional campaign

Main article: 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 includes Evanston mayor Daniel Biss, journalist and social media influencer Kat Abughazaleh, former FBI agent Phil Andrew, and eleven other candidates. [11]

Fine said she wants to continue Schakowsky's "legacy... as a steadfast progressive representative" and to fight Donald Trump's economic policies.[12] Fine supports a two-state solution.[13]

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.[14] She has pledged to work toward making the United States 100% reliant on green energy while creating union jobs.[13]

Fine is pro-choice.[13] Jewish Insider described her political platform as being more strongly pro-Israel than those of several opponents.[15] In December 2025, AIPAC board president Michael Tuchin held a private fundraiser for Fine in Los Angeles. Fine had said she would not seek its endorsement.[16]

Her endorsements include former Democratic Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, the left-leaning PAC Elect Democratic Women,[17] and the Chicago Tribune editorial board.[7]

Personal life

Fine and her husband, Michael, have two sons.[18] In 2011, her husband lost his arm in a car accident. After the family's insurance policy was canceled, they were left with $600,000 in medical debt. Fine cites this as her reason for getting into politics.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Illinois State Senate District 9". Ballotpedia. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  2. ^ Kassel, Matthew (May 6, 2025). "Schakowsky retirement sets up Illinois Democratic primary battle over Mideast policy". Jewish Insider. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  3. ^ "About Laura". Laura Fine for State Rep - 17th District Illinois. January 16, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  4. ^ Robb, Tom (January 9, 2013). "Biss Fine Take Oath One Day Early". Journal & Topics. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  5. ^ Miller, Rich (July 28, 2017). "Rep. Fine to run for Biss seat". Capitol Fax. Springfield, Illinois. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  6. ^ "Fine sworn in as State Senator". Illinois Senate Democrats. January 7, 2019. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  7. ^ a b c "Editorial: Laura Fine for Democratic nomination in 9th Congressional District". Chicago Tribune. February 3, 2026. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  8. ^ "Senator Fine Fights Back Against Insurance Rate Hikes". www.illinoissenatedemocrats.com. August 1, 2025. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  9. ^ "Fine highlights plan to restrict hiring of ICE agents". www.illinoissenatedemocrats.com. February 4, 2026. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  10. ^ System, Legislative Information (June 14, 2024). "Official Government Website of the Illinois General Assembly". ilga.gov. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  11. ^ Olander, Olivia (May 6, 2025). "Glenview state Sen. Laura Fine joins race to replace US Rep. Jan Schakowsky". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ a b c Steffens, Jackson (October 22, 2025). "Congressional Catch-up: Laura Fine | The Loyola Phoenix". Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  14. ^ "About the GLLC - Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus". gllc.csgmidwest.org. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference Jewish Insider 2025-05-062 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Lacy, Akela; Valdez, Jonah (December 16, 2025). "AIPAC Head Hosts Fundraiser for House Candidate Who Swears AIPAC Isn't Backing Her". The Intercept. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
  17. ^ Kapos, Shia (January 22, 2026). "Illinois House Dems torch Trump". POLITICO. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  18. ^ "Representative Biography". Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
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