Laura Fine

Laura Fine (born December 13, 1966) is an American politician who is serving 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.

Laura Fine
Fine in 2018
Member of the Illinois Senate from the 9th district
Incumbent
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	(1966-12-13) December 13, 1966 (age 58) Skokie, Illinois, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Michael
Children	2
Education	Indiana University, Bloomington (BA) Northeastern Illinois University (MA)

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

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 her State Senator predecessor Daniel Biss, 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 that she had met with 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]