We cannot just sit on the sidelines.
We can not just watch from the sidelines as special interests take over our democracy. Meta, the Crypto Lobby, the AI Lobby, AIPAC, and gambling companies spent over 50 million dollars to elect moderates this last primary cycle in Illinois. Our hands can not be tied behind our backs as AIPAC and greedy corporations propel and elect their preferred candidates. Progressives cannot expect change if we allow ourselves to be out-organized, out-funded, and out-fought. These groups are going to come again in 2028 and big greedy Illinois corporations are going to spend heavily in the 2027 municipal elections. Model Illinois was launched not just to fight back against these groups trying to stop progressives, but to help progressives win.
"Money from super PACs flooded into Illinois for the Democratic primary — much of it aimed at defeating progressives by misleading voters about their records."
— Illinois Public Media
"We worked hard, organized, and built a big coalition, but we couldn’t compete with the millions of dollars from Trump-aligned super PACs in this race."
— Robert Peters
"AIPAC-aligned super PACs, which didn’t reveal the source of their funds until after the races, spent millions in recent Chicago-area primaries"
— NBC
"Get Stuff Done, a Super PAC backed by Emanuel allies and several Chicago business leaders, spent more than $1 million in the first round of aldermanic elections, according to state records. The group, which sought to help pragmatic 'Obama Democrats,' had successes defending several moderate incumbents."
— Chicago Tribune
"The DraftKings and FanDuel-backed American Future PAC spent more than $2.5 million in 10 Chicago area state legislative races as the sports betting giants seek to block municipalities from taxing their industry"
— Illinois Public Media