[CAPTURE PORTAL] 119TH CONGRESS
Legislative Integrity Monitor
Goblin House Intelligence
Congress → Officials → Nikki Budzinski

Nikki Budzinski

Democratic · Representative, IL ·13

Nikki Budzinski is the Democratic U.S. Representative (IL's 13th congressional district). The platform has 8 voting records on file (2024-2026) and 56 verified facts on file covering this member's voting positions, financial disclosures, and stated platform commitments.

Score Components
73 HIGH
Connection Density 20%
56 → 11
Donor Influence 15%
83 → 12
Silence Risk 25%
69 → 17
Contradiction Risk 25%
81 → 20
Intelligence Volume 15%
73 → 11
Constituency Deviation 0%
100 → 0
Voting Misalignment 0%
0 → 0
% = weight in composite score · Raw component 0–100 × weight = weighted contribution (→) · Sum of contributions = overall score. Hover a row for details.
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Public transit commuting share: 2.0%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Median age: 37.4
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Unemployment rate: 5.8%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Veteran population share: 6.8%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: SNAP utilization rate: 17.1%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Foreign-born population: 5.87% (43.9k)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: U.S. citizenship rate: 96.3%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Hispanic population share: 5.06% (37.8k)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Black or African American population share: 19.2% (142k)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: White (Non-Hispanic) population share: 67.5% (495k)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Population: 747,221 (2024)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Median rent: $999
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Median property value: $154,500
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Bachelor's degree or higher: 32.3%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Homeownership rate: 63.2%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Poverty rate: 10.8% (ACS 5-Year); 17.5% (Data USA 2024, broader measure)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Median household income: $63,106 (2024)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Ballot measure: Illinois Amendment — Transportation Funds Lockbox (2016) (2016) — passed, margin 79% to 21%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Ballot measure: Illinois Constitutional Amendment 1 — Workers' Rights Amendment (Right to Collective Bargaining, 2022) (2022) — passed, margin 58.3% to 41.7%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 31-33 - Manufacturing (share 0.1)
secondary ✓ Verified
US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) oversight Budzinski voted Nay on DHS appropriations three times and cosponsored articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and the No Secret Police Act.
Kristi Noem impeachment target Budzinski cosponsored articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) legislative target Budzinski voted Yea on the Laken Riley Act mandating ICE detention for undocumented immigrants charged with theft. She later voted Nay on ICE/DHS…
Dick Durbin political comparison Smile Politely contrasted Budzinski's 'fight' posture favorably against Sen. Dick Durbin, who crossed party lines to vote Yea on ending the government shutdown.
Hakeem Jeffries collaboration Budzinski hosted Hakeem Jeffries at a Head Start school roundtable in her district to highlight SNAP and early-childhood education cuts related to the One Big…
American Israel Public Affairs Committee PAC donor $5,000 to Nikki Budzinski's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00797670/
Constellation Energy Corporation Employee Political Action Committee (Cepac) donor $6,000 to Nikki Budzinski's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (3 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00793711/
Darling Ingredients Political Action Committee donor $6,000 to Nikki Budzinski's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (3 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00777458/
Defend The Vote donor $5,000 to Nikki Budzinski's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00764233/
Applied Research Associates, Inc. PAC (Arapac) donor $10,000 to Nikki Budzinski's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00762427/
Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. PAC (Booz Allen PAC) donor $8,000 to Nikki Budzinski's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (5 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00709816/
Onward Together Committee donor $5,000 to Nikki Budzinski's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00640490/
Local 881 United Food & Commercial Workers Political Action Fund donor $10,000 to Nikki Budzinski's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00590471/
Fair Shot PAC donor $7,000 to Nikki Budzinski's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00574970/
Perimeter PAC donor $5,000 to Nikki Budzinski's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00544254/
Tri-State Maxed-Out Women donor $10,000 to Nikki Budzinski's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (3 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00488387/
Cox Enterprises Inc. PAC donor $5,000 to Nikki Budzinski's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00477653/
Growth Energy - America'S Ethanol Supporters donor $10,000 to Nikki Budzinski's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (3 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00475665/
Bunge North American Inc Political Action Committee donor $8,500 to Nikki Budzinski's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (3 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00401687/
National Elevator Constructors PAC (Nec PAC) donor $5,000 to Nikki Budzinski's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00383950/
BillVoteDateAlignment
An Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood… Nay 2026-09-16 unknown
Water Resources Development Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
Ratepayer Protection Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
PROOF Act Nay 2026-09-16 unknown
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United… Nay 2026-09-16 unknown
National Fraud Enforcement Division Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
Retire through Ownership Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Fostering the Use of Technology to Uphold Regulatory Effectiveness in… Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 9576 and H.R. 10326, providing… Nay 2026-09-15 unknown
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 9576 and H.R. 10326, providing… Nay 2026-09-15 unknown
Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers… Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United… Nay 2026-09-15 unknown
Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes… Nay 2026-09-15 unknown
Whistleblower Protection Act Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
GUARD Act Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act Yea 2026-09-14 unknown
Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act Yea 2026-09-14 unknown
Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act Nay 2026-09-03 unknown
Protecting Domestic Mining Act Nay 2026-09-02 unknown
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require… Nay 2026-09-02 unknown
Providing for the condemnation and denouncement of socialism in all its forms… Nay 2026-09-01 unknown
To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period… Nay 2026-09-01 unknown
In the matter of allegations relating to Representative Chuck Edwards Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
AGOA Extension Act Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period… Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills (H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, and H.R… Nay 2026-09-01 unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills (H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, and H.R… Nay 2026-09-01 unknown
Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act Yea 2026-08-31 unknown
Last contradiction analysis: Never
position_evolution 90/100
Platform: "Budzinski voted Yea on the Laken Riley Act (S. 5, Roll Call 23) on January 22, 2025, one of 46 House Democrats joining all Republicans to mandate ICE detention for undocumented immigrants charged with theft. She…
[ Show full platform position ]
Budzinski voted Yea on the Laken Riley Act (S. 5, Roll Call 23) on January 22, 2025, one of 46 House Democrats joining all Republicans to mandate ICE detention for undocumented immigrants charged with theft. She defended the vote, stating: 'I think we can all agree we don't want criminals on our streets, whether they're citizens or non-citizens.'
"
Vote: on "Budzinski voted Nay on the DHS/ICE appropriations bill three times in 2025-2026 (January 22, 2026…"
Budzinski voted to expand ICE detention authority (Laken Riley Act, Jan 2025), then voted three times against funding the agency carrying out that authority (2025-2026), citing 'deadly consequences of mismanagement' and ICE 'tearing families apart.' Her public rationale — that the Trump administration moved 'well…
[ Show full analysis ]
Budzinski voted to expand ICE detention authority (Laken Riley Act, Jan 2025), then voted three times against funding the agency carrying out that authority (2025-2026), citing 'deadly consequences of mismanagement' and ICE 'tearing families apart.' Her public rationale — that the Trump administration moved 'well past the Laken Riley Act' into 'mass overreach' — frames this as a response to changing enforcement practices rather than a contradiction, but the votes are directly opposed on the same policy domain.
reversal 60/100
Platform: "Budzinski initially voted Yea on H.R. 9495, the 'Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act,' which would have given the Secretary of Treasury power to revoke tax-exempt status based on…
[ Show full platform position ]
Budzinski initially voted Yea on H.R. 9495, the 'Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act,' which would have given the Secretary of Treasury power to revoke tax-exempt status based on allegations without evidence. CU Muslim Action Committee condemned her support.
"
Vote: on "After sustained constituent pressure and 34,000+ calls from Indivisible activists, Budzinski…"
Budzinski voted for H.R. 9495 on November 12, 2024 — a bill condemned by civil liberties groups as the 'nonprofit killer' — then flipped to Nay on November 21 after sustained grassroots pressure. Indivisible credited constituent calls for changing her mind. The flip illustrates responsiveness to district sentiment…
[ Show full analysis ]
Budzinski voted for H.R. 9495 on November 12, 2024 — a bill condemned by civil liberties groups as the 'nonprofit killer' — then flipped to Nay on November 21 after sustained grassroots pressure. Indivisible credited constituent calls for changing her mind. The flip illustrates responsiveness to district sentiment but also an initial willingness to support legislation that critics said could be 'weaponized against organizations critical of government policies, especially those advocating for justice in Palestine.'
same_source_inconsistency 30/100
Platform: "Budzinski voted Yea on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 on December 11, 2024 — the only Illinois Democrat to do so. The bill included a provision banning gender-affirming care for…
[ Show full platform position ]
Budzinski voted Yea on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 on December 11, 2024 — the only Illinois Democrat to do so. The bill included a provision banning gender-affirming care for transgender children of service members, described as 'the first piece of federal anti-LGBTQ+ legislation to pass in 30 years.'
"
Vote: on "At a February 11, 2025 telephone town hall, Budzinski fumbled when asked about Trump's executive…"
Budzinski was the only Illinois Democrat to vote for the NDAA containing an anti-transgender healthcare provision, yet later told constituents she would 'do everything in her power to protect the LGBTQ+ community.' Both positions are documented in her own voting record and statements, as compiled by The Lavender…
[ Show full analysis ]
Budzinski was the only Illinois Democrat to vote for the NDAA containing an anti-transgender healthcare provision, yet later told constituents she would 'do everything in her power to protect the LGBTQ+ community.' Both positions are documented in her own voting record and statements, as compiled by The Lavender Newsletter and Smile Politely. Her NDAA vote represented support for legislation containing what advocates called 'the first piece of federal anti-LGBTQ+ legislation to pass in 30 years.'
statement_vs_disclosure 30/100
Platform: "Budzinski voted Nay on the One Big Beautiful Bill (H.R. 1, Roll Call 190) on July 3, 2025, calling it 'a profound betrayal to hardworking American families.' She cited CBO findings that it would increase the deficit by…
[ Show full platform position ]
Budzinski voted Nay on the One Big Beautiful Bill (H.R. 1, Roll Call 190) on July 3, 2025, calling it 'a profound betrayal to hardworking American families.' She cited CBO findings that it would increase the deficit by more than $3 trillion and cut 17 million Americans off healthcare.
"
Vote: on "The NRCC reported that after voting against the OBBB, Budzinski toured St. Louis Lambert Airport…"
Budzinski voted against the OBBB and called it a 'betrayal,' yet the NRCC documented she subsequently toured St. Louis Lambert Airport touting federal funding included in the bill — a 'vote no and take the dough' pattern identified in other members. The NRCC's opposition-research framing warrants editorial caution…
[ Show full analysis ]
Budzinski voted against the OBBB and called it a 'betrayal,' yet the NRCC documented she subsequently toured St. Louis Lambert Airport touting federal funding included in the bill — a 'vote no and take the dough' pattern identified in other members. The NRCC's opposition-research framing warrants editorial caution, but the public record of the airport visit juxtaposed with her vote is independently verifiable.
Last silence detection: Thu, 15 Oct 2026 01:08:27 GMT (via scheduled run)
ideological & single-issue
Women'S Political Committee Federal, League Of Conservation Voters Action Fund, EMILY's List, Planned Parenthood Action Fund Inc. PAC, Tri-State Maxed-Out Women, Progressive Turnout Project, Elect Democratic Women, Defend The Vote, Equality PAC, End Citizens…
[ Show full donor-interest summary ]
Women'S Political Committee Federal, League Of Conservation Voters Action Fund, EMILY's List, Planned Parenthood Action Fund Inc. PAC, Tri-State Maxed-Out Women, Progressive Turnout Project, Elect Democratic Women, Defend The Vote, Equality PAC, End Citizens United (amounts: $10,000 (2024), $7,500 (2024), $10,000 (2024), $10,000 (2024), $10,000 (2026), $9,250 (2024), $11,000 (2024), $5,000 (2026), $6,500 (2024), $6,000 (2024)) — interest area: ideological & single-issue
colleagues' leadership pacs
Prairie Political Action Committee, Committee For A Democratic Future, Building Relationships In Diverse Geographic Environments PAC (Bridge PAC), Shore PAC, Brave PAC, Blue Hen Federal PAC, Defense Economic Renewal Education & Knowledge PAC, Puget PAC…
[ Show full donor-interest summary ]
Prairie Political Action Committee, Committee For A Democratic Future, Building Relationships In Diverse Geographic Environments PAC (Bridge PAC), Shore PAC, Brave PAC, Blue Hen Federal PAC, Defense Economic Renewal Education & Knowledge PAC, Puget PAC, Backpac, Fair Shot PAC, Evergreen PAC, Jobs, Education, & Families First Jeff PAC, Reviving American Jobs Again PAC, Bridge The Gap PAC, La Bamba PAC, Beyond Thoughts And Prayers PAC, Great Chain PAC, Democratic Turnout Project PAC, PAC To The Future, Perimeter PAC, Hmp, Ca Luv PAC (California Leadership United For Victory PAC), AmeriPAC: The Fund for a Greater America (amounts: $10,000 (2024), $5,000 (2024), $9,500 (2024), $10,000 (2024), $5,500 (2024), $5,000 (2024), $5,000 (2024), $5,000 (2024), $5,000 (2024), $7,000 (2026), $6,000 (2024), $10,000 (2024), $5,004 (2024), $8,000 (2024), $5,000 (2026), $5,000 (2024), $5,000 (2024), $9,000 (2024), $10,000 (2024), $5,000 (2026), $10,000 (2024), $10,000 (2024), $10,000 (2024)) — interest area: colleagues' leadership pacs
party & leadership pacs
New Democrat Coalition Action Fund, Hmp, AmeriPAC: The Fund for a Greater America, Ca Luv PAC (California Leadership United For Victory PAC) (amounts: $10,000 (2024), $10,000 (2024), $10,000 (2024), $10,000 (2024)) — interest area: party & leadership pacs
other / unclassified
National Confectioners Association Of The United States, Inc. Political Action Committee (, Bracepac, North American Meat Institute PAC, United Postmasters And Managers Of America Political Fund, To Protect Our Heritage PAC, Croplife America Political Action…
[ Show full donor-interest summary ]
National Confectioners Association Of The United States, Inc. Political Action Committee (, Bracepac, North American Meat Institute PAC, United Postmasters And Managers Of America Political Fund, To Protect Our Heritage PAC, Croplife America Political Action Committee, Supporting House Problem Solvers - Shp PAC, Onward Together Committee, Fight Like Hell PAC, Abundance PAC (amounts: $5,500 (2024), $5,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026), $5,000 (2024), $5,000 (2024), $5,000 (2024), $5,000 (2026), $5,000 (2024), $5,000 (2026)) — interest area: other / unclassified
corporate pacs, industry unlisted
Ullico Inc. Political Action Committee (Ullipac), Hy-Vee Inc Employees PAC, Ingram Barge Company Political Action Committee, Document Storage Systems, Inc. (Dss PAC), Green Plains Inc PAC, Applied Research Associates, Inc. PAC (Arapac), Darling Ingredients…
[ Show full donor-interest summary ]
Ullico Inc. Political Action Committee (Ullipac), Hy-Vee Inc Employees PAC, Ingram Barge Company Political Action Committee, Document Storage Systems, Inc. (Dss PAC), Green Plains Inc PAC, Applied Research Associates, Inc. PAC (Arapac), Darling Ingredients Political Action Committee, Optiver America LLC PAC (Optiver PAC) (amounts: $10,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026), $10,000 (2026), $5,000 (2024), $10,000 (2026), $6,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026)) — interest area: corporate pacs, industry unlisted
party committees
New Democrat Coalition Action Fund (amounts: $10,000 (2024)) — interest area: party committees
Wine And Spirits Wholesalers Of America, Inc. PAC Alcohol & tobacco $10,000 (2026)
National Beer Wholesalers Association PAC (Nbwa PAC) Alcohol & tobacco $10,000 (2026)
Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc. PAC Alcohol & tobacco $5,000 (2026)
Ca Luv PAC (California Leadership United For Victory PAC) Colleagues' leadership PACs $10,000 (2024)
Hmp Colleagues' leadership PACs $10,000 (2024)
New Democrat Coalition Action Fund Party committees $10,000 (2024)
AmeriPAC: The Fund for a Greater America Colleagues' leadership PACs $10,000 (2024)
Abundance PAC Other / unclassified $5,000 (2026)
Optiver America LLC PAC (Optiver PAC) Corporate PACs, industry unlisted $5,000 (2026)
Democratic Turnout Project PAC Colleagues' leadership PACs $9,000 (2024)
Fight Like Hell PAC Other / unclassified $5,000 (2024)
Great Chain PAC Colleagues' leadership PACs $5,000 (2024)
American Israel Public Affairs Committee PAC Law & lobbying firms $5,000 (2026)
Constellation Energy Corporation Employee Political Action Committee (Cepac) Oil, gas & mining $6,000 (2026)
Beyond Thoughts And Prayers PAC Colleagues' leadership PACs $5,000 (2024)
TopicPriorityAlignmentDeviation
Government Shutdown and Fiscal Stability 80 5 88
Agricultural Policy and Farm Bill 92 10 82
Healthcare Access and ACA Protections 88 15 73
Tax Policy and Cost of Living 82 25 62
Climate and Conservation (Fix Our Forests Act) 62 20 58
Economic Development and Manufacturing 85 30 55
Education and University Funding 78 40 48
Energy Policy and Utility Costs 70 35 42
Immigration and Border Security 72 45 35
Public Safety and Crime 74 50 30
Veterans Affairs and Benefits 68 55 25
Disaster Relief and Rural Infrastructure 75 70 18
No platform commitments archived
No committee memberships recorded
Scoring Methodology

The Capture Risk Score is a composite 0–100 index measuring potential regulatory capture of elected officials. It is computed from seven weighted components:

ComponentWeightSignal
Contradiction Risk30%Stated positions contradicted by the record (recent findings boosted)
Donor Influence20%Distinct documented donors (FEC Schedule A PACs); inferred donors do not count
Connection Density20%Mapped relationships to lobbyists, contractors, interest groups; donor links excluded
Silence Risk15%Topics where donors have interests but the official is silent
Intelligence Volume15%Documented facts from verified sources
Constituency Deviation0%Shown, not weighted — a model estimate, not a record
Voting Misalignment0%Shown, not weighted — needs platform commitments almost nobody has; the roll-call record on /votes is the vote signal

Each component is the member's standing among all scored members of Congress, and the weighted sum is the overall score. Tiers are ranks: Critical is the top 5%, High the next 10%, Elevated the next 20%, Moderate the next 30%, and Low the rest.

Officials without at least 2 documented facts, 1 contradiction analysis, 1 voting record, or 1 constituency baseline are marked Insufficient Evidence and excluded from numeric ranking.

Contradiction findings from the last 180 days receive a recency boost. High-severity contradictions (score ≥ 70) receive additional weight.

Full methodology: /congress/methodology

[PUBLIC COST ESTIMATE]
Documented financial relationships span 0 money flow chains, while 10 elected officials hold documented connections.
$11.9BDonor Contributions
0Money Chains
0Traced Hops
Connected Officials
Calculation Methodology

Contract values are summed from documented money flow chains where this entity appears as a source or destination node. Amounts are drawn from USASpending.gov, FEC filings, SEC EDGAR, or LD-2 lobbying registrations.

Donor contributions aggregate documented amounts from the donor_interests table, sourced from FEC individual and PAC contribution filings.

Connected officials are elected officials in our database with a mapped relationship (lobbying, board membership, campaign contribution, etc.) to this entity.

Annualised flow represents the total documented dollar amount traced through money flow hops involving this entity. Where hop-level amounts are unavailable, the chain-level documented total is used as a conservative upper bound.

All figures are drawn from public filings. Estimates are conservative — undisclosed transactions, dark money, and vanish-point hops are excluded from totals. This is a minimum documented floor, not a ceiling.

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