Meet Phil Andrew: Congressional Candidate In IL-09

WILMETTE, IL — Former FBI Special Agent and crisis management firm PAX Group LLC Founder Phil Andrew is running for the U.S. House of Representatives, IL-09.

Andrew lives in the district with his wife Michelle and has four children, three of whom are serving in the U.S. Navy and/or preparing to serve at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Learn more about Andrew:

Campaign website

www.philandrewforcongress.com

Education

University of Illinois, B.A. History; DePaul University College of Law, J.D.; Loyola Academy High School.

The single most pressing issue facing our district or state is ___________, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The most pressing issue facing our district and our country is the erosion of accountability, the rule of law, and public trust in government. Under the Trump Administration, independent oversight mechanisms that protect taxpayers and uphold constitutional governance have been systematically weakened. 17 inspectors general were fired in a single night without proper notice to Congress, undermining watchdogs responsible for preventing waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption across trillions of dollars in federal programs.

I have spent more than two decades as an agent with the FBI defending the Constitution, protecting communities, and fighting corruption. I know that when oversight disappears, corruption grows, civil rights are violated, and public safety suffers. Accountability is not a political issue; it is a national security and public safety issue.

In Congress, I will lead aggressive, bipartisan oversight efforts to restore checks and balances and rebuild institutional integrity. I will demand transparency in agencies like the DHS, where civil rights abuses and reckless enforcement actions have undermined trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Public safety only works when people trust the system. My mission is to restore real public safety – the kind that brings communities together instead of tearing them apart.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

This moment calls for leadership rooted in real-world experience, integrity, and independence — not career politics.

I was raised in this district and raised my children here. I am a former FBI agent, lawyer, a small business owner, and a proud parent of four collegiate swimmers, with three children serving in the U.S. Navy. I am also a survivor of one of the nation’s first school shootings in 1988 — an experience that shaped my life’s work preventing violence and strengthening communities.

I do not take corporate PAC money, and I have pledged a self-imposed term limit of five terms to ensure fresh leadership and accountability. I am the only candidate in this race with decades of working inside the federal government, as well as running my own small business, and who has negotiated with terrorists as part of a career protecting Americans — experience that requires listening, discipline, and calm leadership under pressure.

My campaign is about restoring trust, protecting democracy, and delivering real public safety grounded in accountability and respect for the Constitution.

Do you believe an inequity exists between funding for wealthy and poor schools? If so, what would you do to address the disparity?

Yes. Every child deserves access to a high-quality public education regardless of ZIP code or family income. Education equity must be a national priority — especially in the 9th Congressional District, where schools serve students speaking as many as 65 languages and where educators must address diverse cultural, academic, and social needs every day.

I will work to strengthen public education by increasing federal investment in underserved districts, expanding access to advanced coursework, career and technical education, and the arts, and supporting competitive pay and professional development for teachers. Resources must reflect the real needs of multilingual and multicultural classrooms so every child has an equal opportunity to succeed.

As a survivor of one of the nation's first school shootings, school safety and student well-being will always be paramount. I will expand funding for counselors and mental health services, strengthen civil rights protections, combat bullying and extremism, and support media literacy and civic education so students can grow into informed, engaged citizens. Strong schools create safer, stronger communities.

If you support tax cuts in Illinois, what spending should be eliminated to offset those cuts?

I do not support broad tax cuts without responsible fiscal planning. We must invest strategically in education, infrastructure, healthcare, and public safety while eliminating waste through rigorous oversight and transparency. Fiscal responsibility means protecting essential services while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and effectively.

What would you do to help constituents struggling with the ever-increasing cost of living, housing and healthcare?

Families across our district are facing an affordability crisis. The cost of groceries, housing, insurance, and medical care continues to rise faster than wages, making it harder for people to build stable, secure lives.

To lower everyday costs, I will fight against corporate price-gouging and reckless tariff policies that raise prices for working families. I will support policies that increase wages, expand tax credits for families, and ensure federal benefits reach the people who need them most.

On housing, I will champion federal investment in mixed-income, transit-oriented development, preserve naturally affordable housing, and support smart permitting reforms to lower construction costs and expand supply.

Healthcare is a human right. I will defend and strengthen the Affordable Care Act, protect people with pre-existing conditions, expand Medicaid, and increase funding for community health centers. I will prioritize mental health and addiction services, preventive care, maternal health, and culturally competent healthcare so families receive comprehensive, accessible support.

Real economic security means helping families thrive — not just survive.

Do you support redistricting in a non-census year?

No.

Do you support the full release of the Epstein files with the victims' names redacted? What should Congress do to pressure the DOJ into following the law with the full release of the Epstein files?

Yes. I strongly support the full public release of the Epstein files with victims’ identities fully protected and redacted. This is not only a matter of justice for survivors — it is also a serious and unresolved national security issue.

Much of the public conversation has focused on high-profile names, but the deeper concern is the massive counterintelligence vulnerability this operation represents. If a foreign adversary had deliberately designed a network to compromise American and allied leaders through exploitation, coercion, fraud, and access, it would look alarmingly similar to what Jeffrey Epstein built.

As a former FBI counterintelligence professional, I know what serious security response looks like. When Robert Hanssen was caught selling U.S. secrets to Russian intelligence, the government immediately conducted comprehensive damage assessments and implemented countermeasures to protect national interests. That is the level of seriousness required here.

Congress must act decisively through aggressive oversight, public hearings, lawful subpoenas when necessary, and a comprehensive national security assessment — all while maintaining a survivor-centered approach that protects victims from further harm.

Do you support the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement in the Chicago area and beyond? Why or why not? If not, what changes do you think should be made?

No. I support strong border security and lawful immigration enforcement — but what we are seeing now undermines both constitutional rights and real public safety.

Practices that rely on fear, civil rights violations, and non-judicial warrants erode trust between law enforcement and communities. Public safety is best achieved through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local agencies working together to build trust with communities so people feel safe reporting crimes and cooperating with law enforcement.

In Congress, I will push for aggressive oversight, restoration of judicial warrant requirements, mandatory inspections, de-escalation training, and independent accountability mechanisms. Public safety must be rooted in trust, professionalism, constitutional protections, and coordinated law enforcement — not political intimidation.

Do you support the repeal of the SAFE-T Act, which eliminated cash bail? Why or why not, and do you think wealthier defendants should have an easier route to release?

No.

Would you push to repeal the TRUST Act, which bars local police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement? Why or why not?

I do not support repealing the TRUST Act without meaningful federal reforms. After 21 years in the FBI, I know that effective law enforcement depends on cooperation built on trust, professionalism, and accountability.

When federal agencies are politicized and communities fear retaliation for reporting crimes, public safety breaks down. I will work to rebuild trust, strengthen interagency cooperation responsibly, and ensure immigration enforcement respects civil rights while keeping communities safe.

Where do you agree and disagree with President Donald Trump on policy?

I strongly disagree with Donald Trump on government accountability, respect for the rule of law, and the politicization of federal agencies.

One area where I agree is the need for the United States to remain competitive with China in technology, national security, and economic strength. However, confronting global challenges requires strategic leadership, strong alliances, and smart investments at home -- not erratic trade wars or policies that raise prices for American families.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am running because this moment demands experienced, principled leadership that restores trust in government, protects our democracy, strengthens national security, and tackles the affordability crisis facing working families — building an economy that works for everyone.

I was raised in this district, raised my family here, and have spent my career protecting communities and defending the Constitution. I do not take corporate PAC money and have pledged a self-imposed term limit. I am a former FBI agent, lawyer, small business owner, and survivor of one of the nation’s first school shootings — an experience that shaped my lifelong commitment to preventing violence.

Unlike two of the career politicians in this race who are running simultaneously for Congress and party positions as state central committee members, I am dedicated solely to representing the people of the 9th Congressional District in Congress. My focus is on serving constituents — not building political titles.

I will continue fighting for common-sense gun safety measures, stronger background checks, safe storage laws, closing loopholes around ghost guns and gun shows, and banning assault weapons. I will also invest in mental health resources and community- based prevention programs so we stop violence before it happens.

I am running to restore real public safety, protect constitutional rights, defend accountability and the rule of law, and ensure that families can afford to live, work, and thrive in the communities they love.

Editor's note: The same questionnaire was sent to every candidate who has filed to run in this election. The Q&A's are run verbatim from their responses and are not modified by Patch staff.