Longtime Democratic Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky on Monday told friends and supporters at her annual Chicago luncheon that she will not be seeking reelection, setting up a competitive race for the seat she’s held since 1999.

Schakowsky’s announcement, which was anticipated, puts into place yet another game of political musical chairs in the state, along with the race to replace outgoing U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin . Schakowsky, 80, is serving her 14th term representing Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, which includes several North Shore suburbs, north neighborhoods in Chicago and portions of the northwest suburbs.

Schakowsky made her formal announcement Monday as she hosted her 24th annual Ultimate Women’s Power Lunch fundraiser at the Sheraton Grand Chicago, where some of the state’s most powerful politicians mingled.

Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia speaks to a reporter Monday before entering U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s 24th annual Ultimate Women’s Power Lunch at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk.

Schakowsky serves in the House Democratic leadership as a chief deputy whip and sits on some key House committees, such as the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee. She is the ranking member on the Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee.

The congresswoman has focused on health care and senior issues and was a leader in passing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which helped provide health care coverage to all Americans. She also has been an advocate for women’s rights and consistently voted for measures to support Israel.

Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia called Schakowsky a trailblazer for women in politics.

“Reproductive rights — she was always on the cutting edge of of that. And I think about coming into politics as a woman just eight years ago, or even 15 years ago as a staffer, and how I had to navigate and sharpen my elbows in a way that I was completely blind to, thinking back to what Jan had to go through, or even Toni Preckwinkle or Hillary Clinton,” Valencia said. “I have so much respect, so much respect for women who did not have as many allies, that were told to wait their turn. And she really had to prove herself. And to keep this seat for this long, I think is an amazing way to honor her as a trailblazer.”

Democrats, such as state Sen. Laura Fine, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and state Rep. Hoan Huynh, are potential contenders for Schakowsky’s seat. Kat Abughazaleh, a progressive TikTok star, announced her run for Schakowsky’s seat in March.

Illinois Rep. Hoan Huynh speaks to a reporter Monday before entering U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s 24th annual Ultimate Women’s Power Lunch at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk.

Biss and Huynh on Monday wouldn’t comment on a run, keeping their messaging on Schakowsky’s achievements.

“She’s just an extraordinary trailblazer. Her role in the anti-war movement, her role in the women’s movement, her role in the labor movement,” Biss said at the event. “We’ve just been so, so fortunate to have her representing her whole community.”

Huynh called her a fighter for the immigrant community and refugee community.

In a video announcing her run, Abughazaleh slammed President Donald Trump and Elon Musk for “dismantling our country piece by piece” and criticized Democrats for not fighting harder against them. Her campaign in March said it had raised more than $100,000 in less than seven hours.