Lauren Underwood has raised significant funds from industries and donor types with potential policy stakes:

• Lobbyists & Law Firms: Over $356,000 in the 2023–24 cycle, including more than $10,000 from law firm PACs

• Health Insurance & HMOs: Between $42,000–$55,000, per OpenSecrets industry data

• Real Estate Industry: Over $17,000, including contributions routed through Democratic-aligned fundraising platforms

• Large Donations: Approximately 66% of Underwood’s campaign money comes from large donors and PACs; only about 16% comes from small-dollar contributions under $200

Roman refuses all corporate PAC money, registered lobbyist donations, and large out-of-state special interest funds. His campaign is 100% grassroots – powered by small, local donors who live with the consequences of federal policy.

Housing & Cost of Living

Underwood receives funding from real estate interests and law firms that often represent developers. Critics argue this aligns her more with investors than renters or homeowners struggling with affordability.

Roman will fight for:

• 12 million units of social, co-op, and community-led housing

• Modernizing and expanding public housing stock

• Rent caps, tenant protections, and stronger local control over zoning

Climate & Energy

Underwood has not pledged to not take fossil fuel PAC money, the No Fossil Fuel Money tracker shows she accepted $5,000 from fossil fuel-connected donors – putting her off the pledge list. She also receives support from insurance and utility sectors that often lobby against stronger climate regulations.

Roman is a climate justice champion, committed to:

• Phasing out fossil fuels

• Ending subsidies to polluters

• Supporting frontline, working-class, and Indigenous communities in a just transition

Healthcare & Insurance

Underwood’s campaign accepts donations from private insurance companies – up to $55,000 this cycle. While she supports Medicare for All in principle, critics say donor ties may limit bold legislative action.

Roman pledges to never take money from private insurers or pharmaceutical companies. He supports:

• Medicare for All

• Drug price caps

• Breaking the link between health and employment

Foreign Policy & Israel

Rep. Lauren Underwood voted against placing humanitarian conditions on U.S. military aid (House Vote 363, 2024), joining a small faction of Democrats who opposed further restrictions intended to prevent civilian harm.
(Source: House Roll Call Vote 363)

According to TrackAIPAC.com, Underwood has received over $75,000 in support from pro-Israel PACs during the 2023–2024 election cycle—placing her among the top recipients in Illinois.

Roman supports:

• Humanitarian conditions on foreign aid to end the genocide in Gaza

• Recognizing Palestinian rights

• Ending U.S. complicity in any aid that enables civilian harm

Big Money vs. Grassroots Democracy

Underwood’s campaign is powered mostly by large donors and PACs, making her more responsive to national Democratic leadership and their donor class.

• Per her July 2025 FEC filing, The American Bankers Association PAC (BANKPAC) paid her $1,000.

Roman is people-powered:

• No corporate PACs

• No D.C. bundlers

• Just working people backing one of their own

It’s time for a representative who answers to you – not Wall Street.

Independence & Backbone

Underwood has followed party leadership closely and rarely breaks with D.C. donor expectations.

Roman brings lived resistance and independent judgment:

• Protested Tesla’s labor and safety failures

• Advocated for DCFS reform to protect vulnerable families

• Will use legislative tools to block donor-driven or corporate-friendly bills

• Fiercely independent with no strings attached