U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Evanston will boycott President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday, sitting out of the final presidential address to Congress of her career in Washington.
In a statement, Schakowsky told Evanston Now she “cannot, in good conscience, sit in that House chamber on Tuesday night and pretend everything is normal while families across my district are living in constant fear of this administration.”
“This is not normal, and it cannot be ignored,” Schakowsky wrote.
Schakowsky will join over a dozen other Democratic lawmakers in protesting the speech Tuesday night, including at least one other member from Chicago’s congressional delegation, Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago).
Schakowsky boycotted Trump’s joint address to Congress last year, too, just weeks after Trump took office for his second term.
“I stand with the people who sent me to Congress,” Schakowsky said. “I will keep fighting for dignity, justice, and opportunity for every family. And I will not legitimize an agenda that causes so much harm.”
Several Democratic lawmakers are planning a “People’s State of the Union” in opposition, which is slated to be a counter-programming rally near the Capitol.
Schakowsky has represented Evanston and the 9th Congressional District since 1999 and announced last May she would not seek a 15th term in Congress.
The race to replace her rests on a crowded Democratic primary on March 17. Four Republicans are also running for the GOP nomination for the seat.
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February 20, 2026 at 04:22PM
