Super PACs funding many political ads ahead of primary Election Day 2026 in Chicago, Illinois area
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO — As the Illinois primary election approaches, the airwaves are being inundated with political advertisements, leaving many residents unable to escape the relentless campaigning.

Interestingly, a significant portion of these ads are not financed by the candidates themselves.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

One individual caught in this advertising storm is Illinois State Representative La Shawn Ford. Reflecting on his congressional campaign, Ford stands by his decision to support cryptocurrency regulation in Springfield, unaware of the consequences it would have during his run for Congress.

Enter FairShake, a Super PAC backed by the cryptocurrency sector.

In response to Ford’s regulatory stance, FairShake has invested nearly $2 million in an effort to thwart his bid for the 7th Congressional District. The group has launched a barrage of misleading TV and digital ads that cast Ford’s past in a negative light.

“These ads have dredged up a particularly difficult period in my life,” Ford, a Democrat, remarked.

2026 primary elections: Voter information in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin

The ads imply Ford was convicted of bank fraud. Several years ago, federal prosecutors charged him with 17 counts of bank fraud, but all were dropped. Ford says the ads are slanderous.

“I think voters have to be sure they are not duped by this,” Ford said.

Illinois voters have been bombarded with ads paid for by Super PACs.

PACs are legally allowed to raise and spend as much money as they desire in an election, as long as they don’t coordinate their efforts with an individual candidate.

“There is kind of, you know, indirect communications, kind of fiction that these are truly independent of the campaigns. Because these campaigns, they’re willingly, kind of accepting, this type of spending,” political strategist Frank Calabrese said.

Calabrese says Super PACs are spending well over $4 millions in all four contested congressional races. He says the vast majority of money spent in the races is coming from outside of Illinois.

“It’s more than $20 million right now. So, it’s a significant amount of money,” Calabrese said. “The most money is being spent by the American Israeli Political Action Committee, which is known as APIAC.”

FairShake did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

With 12 days to go before the election, the money continues to flow.

Calabrese says when it is all said and done, Super PACs will spend between $25-30 million in Illinois.

Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Savannah Guthrie visits 'TODAY' studio for first time since mother's disappearance

Emotional Return: Savannah Guthrie Reunites with ‘TODAY’ Studio Amid Personal Turmoil

Savannah Guthrie made a heartfelt return to Studio 1A in New York…
Peter Schweizer: Trump Has Ended the Bush-Era 'Pottery Barn Rule' with Iran

Peter Schweizer Claims Trump Has Abandoned Bush-Era Policy on Iran

President Donald Trump is not launching a new “forever war” with Iran;…
California Democatic governor candidates refuse to exit race despite polls

California Governor Race Heats Up as Candidates Stand Firm Despite Polls

In an unexpected twist, several underdog Democratic candidates in California are standing…
Minneapolis man Abdulkarim Farah who tried to bribe juror in $250M welfare fraud scandal sentenced

Minneapolis Man Sentenced in $250M Welfare Fraud: The Shocking Attempt to Bribe a Juror

A man from Minneapolis has been sentenced to nearly five years in…
Kim Jong Un visits 5,000-ton naval destroyer, oversees missile test

Kim Jong Un Inspects New 5,000-Ton Naval Destroyer and Leads Missile Test in Strategic Military Display

In a recent visit to a 5,000-ton destroyer, North Korean leader Kim…
LA City Hall showdown over $1.3B homeless spending debate

Intense Debate Unfolds at LA City Hall Over $1.3 Billion Homelessness Budget

“Get me off this merry-go-round from hell,” expressed Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez with…
WATCH: Plane crashes into two Arizona homes, hurts 3

Video: Plane Collides with Arizona Homes, Injuring Three

In a residential area of Phoenix, a small aircraft accident resulted in…
Azerbaijan accuses neighbor Iran of a drone attack and vows to retaliate

Azerbaijan Claims Iranian Drone Strike, Pledges Response

By AIDA SULTANOVA and DASHA LITVINOVA BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — In a…
Oh, Now They Want to Help — UK to Allow US B-2 Stealth Bombers to Operate From British Airbases

UK to Permit US B-2 Stealth Bombers to Operate from British Airbases

In a surprising turn of events, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has…
How Israel killed Ayatollah Khamenei with a missile from space

Israel’s Space Missile Strike: Unveiling the Alleged Assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei

In a dramatic turn of events, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei received what some…
FBI busts 18th Street Gang in East LA raid

FBI Cracks Down on Notorious 18th Street Gang in Major East LA Raid

In a significant blow to organized crime, federal agents have orchestrated a…
Declan Coady, youngest of six US soldiers killed in Iranian drone strike in Kuwait called his brother hours before death

Declan Coady, the youngest among six US soldiers killed in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait, reached out to his brother just hours before the tragic event.

In a tragic turn of events, Declan Coady, the youngest among six…