Pro-Israel groups are pouring millions of dollars into Illinois primary elections, marking an early test of their influence as US and Israeli forces wage war on Iran. In the Chicago-area Democratic contests, organizations linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) have become major spenders, despite Israel’s declining popularity among US voters. According to Chicago’s WBEZ, AIPAC and its donors have spent $13.7 million, often through shadow political action committees that conceal their funders until after the vote.

Progressive groups accuse AIPAC of using covert tactics to disguise its involvement, citing the lobby’s rebranding under generic names like the United Democracy Project. Justice Democrats spokesperson Usamah Andrabi described AIPAC as a “toxic” force within the Democratic Party, arguing that voters increasingly reject candidates tied to the lobby. Several key races, including those involving Kat Abughazaleh, Daniel Biss, and Laura Fine, have become flashpoints for the debate over Israel and US foreign policy.

Polls suggest AIPAC’s influence is waning, with only 17 percent of Democratic voters expressing more sympathy for Israelis than Palestinians. Tuesday’s primaries are also seen as a measure of Democratic opposition to the ongoing war on Iran and its domestic repercussions.