Who Is Running in Illinois Congressional District 14th in 2026?
Last updated: March 4, 2026
Lauren Underwood
(Incumbent)Economy
LowResearch pending more substantial sources.
Immigration
HighRepresentative Lauren Underwood supports comprehensive immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship, believing the system must honor the value and dignity of immigrant communities. She voted for the American Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. Underwood has also worked to advance federal funding for border security and passed legislation to prevent child deaths at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Healthcare
HighRepresentative Lauren Underwood prioritizes ensuring access to high-quality, affordable healthcare and eliminating cost barriers, stating that healthcare is a human right. She introduced legislation, the Health Care Affordability Act, to extend advance premium tax credits for three years to prevent cost increases and expand coverage. Underwood urged colleagues to vote yes on this legislation to provide families with affordable healthcare. She also supports women's rights to the full range of reproductive health services, including access to safe, legal, and affordable abortions.
Republican Candidate
No Republican candidate has been confirmed for this race yet. Check back after the primary.
| Issue | Lauren Underwood |
|---|---|
| Economy | Research pending more substantial sources. Low |
| Immigration | Representative Lauren Underwood supports comprehensive immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship, believing the system must honor the value and dignity of immigrant communities. She voted for the American Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. Underwood has also worked to advance federal funding for border security and passed legislation to prevent child deaths at the U.S.-Mexico border. High |
| Healthcare | Representative Lauren Underwood prioritizes ensuring access to high-quality, affordable healthcare and eliminating cost barriers, stating that healthcare is a human right. She introduced legislation, the Health Care Affordability Act, to extend advance premium tax credits for three years to prevent cost increases and expand coverage. Underwood urged colleagues to vote yes on this legislation to provide families with affordable healthcare. She also supports women's rights to the full range of reproductive health services, including access to safe, legal, and affordable abortions. High |
| Climate & Energy | Lauren Underwood has a strong pro-environment voting record, evidenced by a 99% lifetime score and a 100% score in 2025 from the League of Conservation Voters. She voted against the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act and the Don’t Mess With My Home Appliances Act in February 2026. She also introduced environmental justice amendments, stating a desire for a Congress that prioritizes community health over companies. High |
| Abortion & Reproductive Rights | Representative Lauren Underwood voted to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act and the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act to protect abortion access nationwide. She also voted against the Pregnant Students' Rights Act. Underwood states her commitment to ensuring women are not criminalized for healthcare and providers are not prosecuted, affirming women's rights to make their own health choices. She is an endorsed candidate by Reproductive Freedom for All. High |
| Foreign Policy | Congresswoman Lauren Underwood has voiced strong opposition to the policies of federal agencies like ICE and Border Patrol, accusing them of abusing authority, trampling civil rights, and violating the Constitution. She argues against providing these agencies with funding without safeguards for accountability and transparency. Additionally, she has expressed concerns that the Trump administration compromised national security assets, including cybersecurity, transportation, and maritime safety, which she believes are critical for national safety. High |
| Education | Lauren Underwood opposes cuts to education funding. She voted against the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations funding bill, citing that it cuts programs for training doctors and nurses. She also opposes the Department of Education’s proposed rule to reclassify advanced nursing programs, arguing it will make education more expensive for nursing professionals and raise healthcare costs. She secured over $10 million in Community Project Funding for FY2026, which includes career training. High |
| Gun Policy | Lauren Underwood voted to pass the Protecting Our Kids Act in 2022, a package of gun violence prevention bills. She stated that her action was to ensure everyone deserves to feel safe and to reduce the country's gun violence crisis. The Giffords organization has endorsed her for the U.S. House of Representatives. She also opposed fiscal year 2026 funding cuts that would affect experts studying gun violence in schools. High |
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