Illinois Senate primary tests Democrats' anti-ICE message
Stratton argues that ICE cannot be reformed and should be abolished.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYNBC News is an established national newsroom, and this article identifies its author and reports interviews with the candidates alongside polling and outside analysis. The reporting offers multiple candidates’ perspectives, though much of the evidence about voter opinion comes from one poll.
- Source type — Established national news organization with a substantial reporting operation.
- Editorial standards — The article uses interviews, attributed claims and poll findings rather than presenting campaign claims as established fact.
- Author attribution — A named reporter is credited.
- Source diversity — Candidates, a strategist, a think tank and poll results are included, though the polling evidence is concentrated in one survey.
The article includes interviews with all three candidates, polling figures and perspectives from a Democratic consultant, a think tank and a campaign spokesperson. Its discussion of voter opinion relies heavily on one poll, and some claims come from interested campaign sources.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article gives substantial space to each of the three candidates’ approaches and includes polling and arguments about the political risks of the “abolish ICE” message. The perspectives largely come from Democratic candidates and aligned political sources, limiting the range of viewpoints.
- Source diversity — Candidate interviews, polling, a Democratic consultant, a think tank and campaign representatives provide several perspectives.
- Counterarguments presented — The article includes concerns that “abolish ICE” could be politically damaging as well as candidates’ responses.
- Omitted context — The discussion is focused on Democratic primary politics and does not offer a broader range of views on immigration enforcement.
- Loaded language — Charged descriptions are presented as candidates’ or sources’ quotations rather than the article’s own judgments.
The article presents the candidates’ different positions and campaign attacks in attributed, explanatory language without endorsing a position on ICE.
- Language tone — Mostly neutral wording and direct attribution of claims.
- Source selection — Includes all three candidates’ views as well as campaign and outside perspectives.
- Framing — Frames the issue as a question about Democratic primary voters’ preferences rather than advocating a policy outcome.
The Illinois Democratic Senate primary is an early test of how anti-ICE messaging resonates with voters. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Juliana Stratton and Robin Kelly offer differing approaches to the agency as they compete ahead of the March 17 primary.
The article describes the Illinois Senate primary as a test of how Democratic voters respond to calls to abolish, reform or dismantle ICE. Krishnamoorthi has called to abolish “Trump’s ICE” while proposing reforms; Stratton supports abolishing ICE, and Kelly has called to dismantle ICE and the Department of Homeland Security. Each candidate discussed their position in interviews or campaign ads.
Community verdict
VOTING CLOSEDNo good or bad look here
This story reports what happened without casting Stratton in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Stratton’s record.
People in this story
SWIPE →Illinois Senate candidate calling to dismantle ICE and the Department of Homeland Security.
Kelly's version of this story ↗Illinois Senate candidate advocating reforms to ICE and opposing what he calls “Trump’s ICE.”
Krishnamoorthi's version of this story ↗President criticized in the candidates’ anti-ICE campaign messaging.
Former president mentioned as an example of an administration that carried out immigration enforcement.
Illinois senator whose retirement opened the seat.
Homeland Security secretary whom Kelly has sought to impeach; the article says she was fired.
Part of a bigger story
4 OUTLETSJuliana Stratton, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly are competing in Illinois’ Democratic primary for the open U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Dick Durbin. Center outlets portray the race as a contest over the candidates’ approaches to ICE and Trump, while also highlighting campaign money and Gov. JB Pritzker’s influence.
- ARTICLES
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- OUTLETS
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- AVG CRED
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