Daniel Biss: 2026 candidate for 9th Congressional District

Bio

Office sought: 9th Congressional District

City: Evanston

Age: 48

Occupation: Mayor

Previous offices held: Illinois House of Representatives (2010 — 2012) Illinois State Senate (2012 — 2018) Mayor of Evanston (2021 — present)

Q&A

What is your top issue and how do you propose to address it?

The top issue in the 9th Congressional District is affordability, especially health care, housing, child care, and other basic necessities. The affordability crisis is created by Trump’s tariffs, along with Congress’s inability to exercise its oversight power on the president and big corporations. Too many big companies are controlling every aspect of our lives, driving up prices for consumers, lowering wages for workers, and hurting small businesses. Choices made by Republicans and Democrats are responsible for this consolidation of power.

In Congress, I will fight to lower housing and child care costs, take on price gougers, and incentivize more housing development, especially near transit. I will strongly support Medicare for All to provide universal coverage and drive down health care costs for working families.

Do you support the unilateral foreign policy course President Trump has taken with such actions as the bombing of Iran, assaults on Venezuelan ships and the seizure of the Venezuelan president?

Absolutely not. Every day, the president reduces America’s global standing and puts more lives at risk for his own personal gains. The Constitution is clear: the president must obtain congressional approval before using military force. Congress must reassert its authority immediately before Trump drags us into war.

The executive branch has expanded its powers in recent years on foreign policy, economic tariffs, executive orders and more. Are you satisfied with the direction these activities are moving? If so, why? If not, what needs to be done differently?

I’m more than dissatisfied; I’m appalled by the unconstitutional actions of this president and his minions. We need basic restrictions on Trump's federal overreach to limit his ability to act without Congress and to force him to abide by our laws. Congress must reestablish itself as a coequal branch of government, assert its control over tariffs and the distribution of federal funds, and strengthen statutory limitations on executive actions that forgo Congressional approval. Congressional oversight must be aggressive and in the best interest of the American people.

What should U.S. border policy be? If elected, what would you do to make it happen?

America needs a humane, forward-looking immigration policy. That means undoing Trump’s inhumane enforcement practices, but also going further by improving the outdated visa system, honoring our promises to DREAMers, modernizing quotas, and cutting absurd wait times for legal entry.

I will fight to abolish ICE as it exists today. Trump and Kristi Noem’s armed militia is disappearing people, terrifying communities, and even deporting people without due process. I will fight to guarantee legal representation for everyone, to ensure their right to due process, to respect asylum law, and to keep schools, health care facilities, and churches off-limits to enforcement. Congress needs to create a real path to citizenship. It’s time to pass the American Dream and Promise Act and provide a clear, fair path to citizenship for DACA recipients and others. Immigrants strengthen our communities and drive our economy. They deserve a chance to live without fear — as full American citizens.

What should be the government’s role in assuring health care for Americans? What should be done regarding the ACA to better perform this function?

When people can’t afford the basics, the entire economy suffers. This isn’t just an affordability issue — it’s about who gets to live with dignity and stability, and who gets pushed to the margins. This is the wealthiest country in the history of the world. There is simply no reason why everyone shouldn’t be able to afford basic necessities and more. The health insurance system in our country is a mess. It’s expensive, impossible to navigate, and doesn’t lead to better health outcomes.

Trump’s Republican budget makes deep cuts to Medicaid, ACA premium support, and hospitals nationwide. Step one will be to reverse these damaging policies immediately so working people can access care, and hospitals can avoid closure.

Health care is a human right for everyone, not just the wealthy. Congress needs to pass Medicare for All and deliver the affordable health care people enjoy in nearly every other advanced democracy.

What is your vision for a solution to conflicts involving Israel and the Palestinians? What should the United States be doing to advance this position?

This is a very personal issue for me. When I think about Israel, I think of my two-year-old mother and her Holocaust-survivor parents coming to a new state in 1948 with nothing, and building a new life in a poor, egalitarian society. I also think about my own visits there with extended family throughout my childhood, occasionally limiting our activities because of terrorist attacks, but more often enjoying our time together.

I have been outspoken about my horror at the atrocities perpetrated by the Netanyahu government against civilians in Gaza. Years of experience have taught us that stern words from allies mean nothing to Prime Minister Netanyahu. The only just vision for the region is a two-state solution — two states for two peoples, existing side by side, in peace, security, and self-determination. The U.S. must enact the Block the Bombs Act, formally recognize a Palestinian state, and increase humanitarian aid to Gaza. I come to these conclusions as someone who believes passionately in justice and peace, as someone who yearns to see a thriving Palestinian state and a secure Israel. Peace will not come from delay or denial; it will come from choosing justice over destruction.