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Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) endorsed Brandon Johnson for mayor today. Warren, who ran for president in 2020, last visited Chicago in 2019 to join striking Chicago Teachers Union members on the picket line.
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U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky endorsed Brandon Johnson in the mayoral runoff today. Schakowsky, a progressive Democrat who has represented Illinois’s 9th Congressional District on Chicago’s North Side since 1999, had previously supported Jesús “Chuy” García in the general election.
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Businessman Willie Wilson, who placed fifth in the Feb. 28 mayoral race with 9 percent of the vote, endorsed Paul Vallas on Wednesday, citing taxes and public safety as his reasons for doing so.
Also on Wednesday, Brandon Johnson was endorsed by SEIU Local 1, which represents more than 45,000 workers
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On Tuesday, Brandon Johnson picked up endorsements from Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, who ran for mayor in 2019 and lost the runoff to Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
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On Sunday, Brandon Johnson traveled to Selma, Alabama, to join politicians and civil rights leaders from around the nation in commemorating Bloody Sunday, a 1965 march where Alabama state troopers brutally attacked civil rights marchers at the Edmund Pettus Bridge. On Monday, U.S. Congressman Danny Davis endorsed Johnson for mayor.
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Former Illinois state secretary Jesse White endorsed Paul Vallas on Thursday, calling Vallas “the right person for the right job.” On Friday, White’s political protégé Ald. Walter Burnett (27th Ward) also endorsed Vallas.
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Tonight, Mayor Lori Lightfoot conceded the mayoral race to Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson, who both sprang to early leads that never wavered. Vallas had 33.8% and and Johnson had 20.3% of the vote with 1,277 of 1,291 precincts reporting; Lightfoot came in third with 17%. They will face one another in a runoff election on April 4.
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Nolberto Casas, a Police District Council candidate in the 9th District, has withdrawn from the race.
The remaining candidates include a slate of progressives (Ayala, Vogel and Matthew), three FOP-endorsed (McBroom, Razo and Finucane), and one relative unknown (Sanchez). Find your district and review candidates with our 2023 Police District Councils Voter Guide.
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Vote by mail drop boxes are now available in all 50 wards. Click here to find a location near you. On Election Day only, additional drop boxes will be available at Wrigley Field (1060 W. Addison), the United Center (1901 W. Madison) and Wintrust Arena (200 E. Cermak). If you are returning your ballot by mail, it must be postmarked by Feb. 28.
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WTTW’s Heather Cherone reports that longtime House DJ and 26th Ward aldermanic candidate Julian “Jumpin” Perez accepted an in-kind donation from the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). The FOP, which also endorsed Perez, paid about $10,000 to produce flyers attacking Perez’s opponent in the race, Jessie Fuentes, for being arrested in 2008 at 17 years old. Earlier this week, the Reader’s Leor Galil interviewed Perez about his candidacy and the FOP endorsement.
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Ald. Maria Hadden (49th Ward) endorsed Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson in his bid for mayor. Hadden was first elected to the City Council in 2019, and she declined to endorse any mayoral candidates in the 2019 election, citing her campaign promise to be independent.
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Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, who represents the 10th District on the city’s North Side, endorsed U.S. Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García’s bid for mayor. Gainer supported Rahm Emanuel in his 2011 mayoral candidacy, and did not take a position when García and Emanuel were in a runoff in 2015.
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Shia Kapos reports in today’s Politico Illinois Playbook that in 2021, Paul Vallas told Wirepoints that critical race theory was “dangerous” for white children. “When you introduce a curriculum that is not only divisive, but a curriculum that further undermines the relationship of children with their parents, with their families, that’s a dangerous thing,” Vallas said. “And for white parents, I mean, how are you going to discipline your child when your child comes home and your child has basically been told, you know, that their generation, their race, their parents, their grandparents they have discriminated against others and they have somehow victimized another person’s race.”
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Shawn Walker will be added back onto the ballot for alder of the 28th Ward after a ruling by the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners on Feb. 21. Walker had been removed in January after a challenge to his ballot petition signatures. The ruling means incumbent Ald. Jason Ervin is no longer running unopposed.
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The Sun-Times and WBEZ reported that Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s campaign sent 9,900 emails to Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges of Chicago staff since last April. The emails included fundraising appeals, invitations to town halls and requests for help gathering ballot petition signatures. In January, the Chicago Board of Ethics referred reports that the campaign had solicited volunteers by emailing CPS and City Colleges teachers to the City and the CPS inspectors general for investigation of ethics violations.
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State comptroller Susana Mendoza accused Mayor Lori Lightfoot of instructing her appointees to a police pension board to vote against approving a “duty disability” that would provide pay and health insurance to officers facing career-ending COVID-19 complications, including Mendoza’s brother, a CPD sergeant who contracted COVID-19 in November 2020. In a press conference this afternoon, Lightfoot denied the accusation. Click here for the full story from the Sun-Times
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Social worker Anjanette Young endorsed Cook County commissioner Brandon Johnson for mayor in the 2023 election today. Young received a settlement $2.9 million by the City after Chicago police officers mistakenly conducted a raid on her home in 2019, during which they kept her handcuffed and naked while conducting a search. Lightfoot has blocked an ordinance named for Young that would reform how CPD conducts such raids. Click here for the full story from the Sun-Times.
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The New York Times included Mayor Lori Lightfoot in its story about the Black mayors of the four biggest cities in the U.S., and how they have banded together to confront violent crime and more. Click here to read the full story.
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Today, Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García, candidate for Mayor of Chicago, released the following statement in response to the story regarding the cover up of the Inspector General’s report on Hilco. “I live near the old Crawford plant – this is my neighborhood and those harmed were my friends. That Lori Lightfoot would cover up a preventable disaster is unconscionable. Her administration’s cover up, bad decision-making, and lack of accountability is emblematic of the incompetent and corrupt decision making that we have come to expect from Lori Lightfoot,” said Congressman García.
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According to a new Chicago mayoral poll by Northwestern University Center for the Study of Diversity & Democracy, Paul Vallas is leading the race at 19 percent; followed by Jesus “Chuy” Garcia with 17 percent, incumbent Lori Lightfoot with 14 percent, Willie Wilson with 14 percent and Brandon Johnson with nine percent. See here.
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According to Block Club Chicago, the candidates for mayor have raised more than $22 million since the beginning of 2022. Use their tool to search all of the donations made to them. Details here.
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According to Politico Illinois Playbook, incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot has been endorsed by state Sen. Willie Preston in her reelection bid. Preston represents South Side communities, including Auburn Gresham and Englewood. And challenger Paul Vallas has been endorsed by Chicago Ald. Brendan Reilly. Reilly, who represents a chunk of the downtown business community, has a long friendship with Vallas. In 2001, when Reilly was just 30, he served as press secretary to Vallas in his unsuccessful run for governor.
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According to Politico Illinois Playbook, 1983 Labs is out with a new poll taken from online respondents. In it, 22 percent of voters are undecided. Mayor Lori Lightfoot and challenger Paul Vallas are neck and neck.
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The New York Times published, “After Four Turbulent Years, Lori Lightfoot Seeks a Second Term as Chicago’s Mayor.” Read here.
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Today, mayoral challenger Paul Vallas is out with a new ad. According to Politico Illinois Playbook, he says he’ll put “accountability and safety first.”
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Today, Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s campaign is out with a new ad. According to Politico Illinois Playbook, she attacks rivals Jesús ‘Chuy’ García and Brandon Johnson, who lean both to the left, and focusing on some of her accomplishments.
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Reporting on the NBC 5 and WVON mayoral forum on Black community, the Chicago Sun-Times highlighted that Mayor Lori Lightfoot questioned Brandon Johnson’s commitment to funding Chicago police. Read here.
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Tonight, the Chicago Tribune reported a story about the last televised Chicago mayoral forum, which “featured a series of explosive exchanges as candidates differed over taxes, policing, and even questioned whether their challengers care about Black people.” The Tribune highlighted Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s repeated swiping at Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, who took the brunt of criticism from rival candidates during the NBC 5 and WVON forum. Read here.
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Chicago Magazine writes that a Paul Vallas-Brandon Johnson mayoral runoff would be epic: it’s Baby Boomer vs. Gen X, Back the Blue vs. Black Lives Matter and CPS leadership vs. CTU. Read here.
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The Chicago Sun-Times reported that mayoral challenger Brandon Johnson released his plan to help migrants, refugees, immigrants. He proposed, among other things, that all residents, regardless of citizenship status, be able to vote for Chicago Board of Education members — a concept also embraced by one of his mayoral rivals, U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia. Read here.
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Streetsblog Chicago sent a questionnaire out to every candidate running for alderperson, asking about their plans to restore CTA ridership, if they supported additional protected bike lanes in their ward and more. Read here.
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According to the Chicago Sun-Times, mail-in ballots are driving record returns as early voting opens in all 50 Chicago wards. The leap could push overall turnout past 40 percent, which the city hasn’t seen in a municipal election in over a decade. Read here.
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In a Block Club Chicago interview, Jesús “Chuy” García says residents are the key to redeveloping neighborhoods and under-enrolled schools. Read here.
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According to Block Club Chicago, South Side Ald. David Moore has endorsed colleague Ald. Sophia King for mayor. He said incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s reluctance to work with alders has led to community backlash. Read here.
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Prominent real-estate magnate Elzie Higginbottom is tied to a company that gave a $50,000 contribution to a new political fund created by a close ally of Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Less than a month ago, according to WBEZ, the Chicago Transit Authority — whose leaders are appointed by the mayor — announced a new contract with another company Higginbottom founded.
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One of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s closest allies, Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd Ward), is jumping ship to endorse her opponent Brandon Johnson in the 2023 race for mayor, according to Crain’s Chicago Business.
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2023 Chicago mayoral candidate Paul Vallas received a $5,000 donation to his campaign from a now-retried Chicago cop named in the Laquan McDonald scandal, according to WBEZ.
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The Chicago Tribune Editorial Board has endorsed Paul Vallas for mayor. Remember, Paul Vallas made The TRiiBE’s “Top Cop Candidate of the Week” for embracing the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).
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The 11th Ward IPO has endorsed Brandon Johnson for mayor in the 2023 race.
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2023 Chicago mayoral candidate Jesus “Chuy” Garcia shared a video calling out opponent Paul Vallas for anti-abortion comments he’s made in the past. In the video, Vallas says, “Fundamentally, I oppose abortion” and “I’m more of a Republican than a Democrat.”
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The Better Streets Chicago Action Fund has announced their endorsements in the 2023 Chicago elections, among them are Brandon Johnson for mayor and a list of aldermanic candidates.
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The Better Government Association released its “BGA Policy Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire.” All of the candidates responded to the questionnaire, except Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who declined the opportunity.
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Politico published two new polls by 1983 Labs, showing Mayor Lori Lightfoot in the lead with businessman Willie Wilson trailing closely behind her in the 2023 Chicago election.
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Chicago Votes released its “Voter Guide: 2023 Chicago Municipal Elections.” The organizers asked candidates questions about issues that young people care about.
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At WGN mayoral forum, businessman Willie Wilson doubled down on his previous remarks about hunting suspects down “like rabbits.” Read the Chicago Sun-Times recap.
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WGN-TV hosted a 2023 Chicago mayoral candidates forum. All of the nine candidates showed up. You can rewatch the forum online here.
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On Twitter, Ald. Rossana Rodriguez (33rd Ward) shared an image of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) endorsement list for candidates in the 2023 Chicago election, as a way of getting the information out to voters before the election.
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A new poll released today by Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s campaign shows that she’s a little ahead of opponent Paul Vallas in the 2023 mayoral race, according to Crain’s Chicago Business. Read the story here.
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The “Girl, I Guess: A Progressive Voter Guide to the 2023 Chicago Municipal Election” is live. You can view the voter guide here.
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Chicago’s Latino community could be a key voting bloc in the 2023 mayoral race. Will they back Jesus “Chuy” Garcia? Are other candidates courting them? Read the full story at the Chicago Tribune.
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Jesus “Chuy” Garcia’s name is mentioned in a recording that’s part of a federal ComEd prob; however, the congressman is not accused of wrongdoing, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
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A new voter opinion survey finds Paul Vallas and Rep. Chuy Garcia leading the nine-candidate field for mayor of Chicago, with Brandon Johnson in third and Lori Lightfoot in fourth, according to Fox 32 Chicago.
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Ald. Walter Burnett (27th Ward) is running unopposed for the first time since 2008, guaranteeing him an eighth term as a City Councilmember. Read the full story at Block Club Chicago.
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At an ABC-7 debate, all nine candidates for mayor met. Although they agreed that crime is a huge problem, they disagreed over how huge and what the solution is. Read the full story at Crain’s Chicago Business.
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2023 Chicago mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson’s campaign receives another $400,000 from the American Federation of Teachers, according to Chicago Tribune political reporter Gregory Pratt.
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In a surprise endorsement, Congressman Danny Davis is backing CB Johnson, a candidate for 29th Ward alderperson, over veteran incumbent Ald. Chris Taliaferro, according to Politico’s Illinois Playbook. Previously, David and Johnson endorsed Taliaferro for a judge position that he didn’t win.
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The Chicago Teachers Union endorsed 21st Ward aldermanic candidate Ronnie Mosley. The 21st Ward alder seat is vacant after Ald. Howard Brookins stepped down after 19 years in office to pass the torch to a younger generation. Brookins also supports Mosley.
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Congressman Jonathan Jackson, the son of civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr, endorsed 2023 Chicago mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Jackson also said U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia’s late entry into the mayoral race forced him to make a choice that was not a difficult one given his bond with Johnson on education issues.
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Congressman Jesús “Chuy” Garcia is endorsing Aida Flores in her run for the 25th Ward alder seat, according to Politico’s Illinois Playbook. Flores is challenging incumbent Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, whose progressive followers went in on Garcia on Twitter.
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Read the Chicago Tribune’s recap of the Chicago Women Take Action mayoral forum: “Mayor Lori Lightfoot pounces on challenger Paul Vallas during punchy women’s forum.”
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Chicago’s biggest police union — the Fraternal Order of Police Chicago Lodge 7 (FOP) — paid $25,000 to two election attorneys to kick candidates off the ballot in the newly-formed police district council races. According to WBEZ, the FOP did so in an attempt to extend the union’s power into the councils, which were created in 2021 after years of lobbying by activists to give residents more control over the Chicago Police Department.
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Organizers are asking for a community-driven approach to reducing shootings. However, most of the 2023 Chicago mayoral candidates are focused on improving and investing in police. Read more about the candidates’ positions on thetrace.org.
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Despite receiving nearly $200,000 in campaign mailers from the former FTX CEO’s political action committee. U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García continued distancing himself from disgraced cryptocurrency entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried, saying he never spoke with the man, according to WBEZ.
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Before the City Club of Chicago, U.S. Rep Jesús “Chuy” Garcia unveiled his public safety plan. Unlike other progressive candidates who have demanded less spending on police, Garcia’s plan calls for a “fully funded” Chicago Police Department, including hiring 1,600 more officers. However, according to the Chicago Tribune, Garcia did not call for increasing the police budget.
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The Chicago Tribune takes a deeper look at Invest South/West, which is Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s signature economic development program on the South and West sides. But their review of all $1 million+ projects shows Lightfoot is taking credit for initiatives launched by Rahm Emanuel and routine spending, which pads the numbers. Read the full story here.
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Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s reelection campaign sent an email to Chicago Public Schools teachers Wednesday asking them to encourage their students to volunteer to help Lightfoot win a second term as mayor – and earn class credit, according to WTTW. Chicago’s ethics ordinance prohibits the use of public resources, including email accounts, for non-official purposes. Read the full story here.
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The daughter of a Southwest Side alderman Derrick Curtis (18th Ward) was shot in the leg on Jan. 5 during a concealed carry class taught by her father — the same alderman who shot himself in the hand last October, according to WGN News. Read the full story here.
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Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th) says he wants to keep the heat on Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Police Supt. David Brown to fire an officer with alleged ties to the far-right Proud Boys and send a message that hate groups won’t be tolerated, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Read the full story here.
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According to the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) endorsed Paul Vallas in his 2023 campaign for mayor. Only one other candidate sought the FOP’s endorsement outside of Vallas, and that’s businessman Willie Wilson. On Twitter, Vallas wrote, “I welcome the endorsement of Chicago’s finest, men and women of the FOP who sacrifice their lives to make our city safer. Reducing crime and making Chicago safer are my top priorities. As Mayor, I will bring our police and community together to make every neighborhood safe.” In 2019, the FOP endorsed Wilson. In 2020, the FOP also endorsed former President Donald Trump in his bid for reelection. In 2021, the FOP defended pro-Trump insurrectionists at the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6. In 2022, the Illinois and Chicago FOPs endorsed Republican nominee Darren Bailey for Illinois governor.
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Mayor Lori Lightfoot dropped a new ad for her reelection campaign. Titled “Mayor Lightfoot’s Safer Chicago Plan,” the ad disses the “haters” regarding crime. Watch here.
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The #GirlIGuess Guide to the Chicago Municipal Election is dropping on January 23, 2023. More details here.
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The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners removed Frederick Collins and Johnny Logalbo from the Feb. 28, 2023 ballot, according to WTTW. Voters now will have nine candidates for the Chicago mayoral race.
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Today, Access Living hosted its “Chicago Mayoral Race: Disability Candidates’ Forum.” Members of the disability community heard from the 2023 mayoral candidates about issues most pressing to people with disabilities in Chicago. A recording of the forum is available online here.
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Ald. Roberto Maldonado drops out of the 26th Ward race. According to Block Club Chicago, he has represented parts of Humboldt Park, Logan Square, West Town and Hermosa in City Council since 2009.
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Ald. Raymond Lopez announced his endorsement of 2023 Chicago mayoral candidate Willie Wilson. On Twitter, Wilson posted a video of the press conference and wrote, “As mayor, I am committed to working with Ald. Lopez and others on the city council to make our city safer. Chicago needs a change, and I am that change!”
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2023 Chicago mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson, who currently serves as a Cook County Commissioner, released a statement, demanding Mayor Lori Lightfoot fire a Chicago Police officer who has ties to the Proud Boys. According to WTTW, Officer Robert Bakker is currently serving a 120-day suspension, which he is expected to complete in the coming weeks. On Twitter, Johnson wrote, “Active involvement in domestic terrorist organizations should be grounds for immediate dismissal from any city agency. Mayor Lightfoot must move to terminate the Chicago police officer with ties to the Proud Boys and the attack on the U.S. Capitol two years ago this day.” Read his full statement here.
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Within months after Mayor Lori Lightfoot took office, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, the police twice raided a two-flat owned by Burnett and his wife Darlena Williams-Burnett and accused them in a lawsuit of owning a “public nuisance” where drugs were sold. Read the story here.
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2023 Chicago mayoral candidate Willie Wilson pulled out of a Crain’s Chicago Business forum in protest of a poll the news outlet released about the mayoral race. The forum is scheduled for Feb. 1. In a press release, Wilson said, “The Crain’s published a poll that seeks to mislead the voters of Chicago. The people of Chicago deserve news that is based on truth. The headline misleads the people. Also, public polling has consistently had me at or above 12 percent. The poll Crain’s published has me at 3 percent. This is an insult to my supporters and Crain’s has zero journalistic integrity. I will not be a pawn in their charade.” After backlash, Crain’s changed the language of its publication from “poll” to survey.”
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The Chicago Index, a collaboration between The Daily Line and Crain’s Chicago Business, conducted its second administration of the 2023 Race for Mayor survey from Nov. 29 through Dec. 14, 2022. The survey shows Mayor Lori Lightfoot trailing challenges Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas. Garcia and Johnson are tied for first place, receiving 25% of the vote. A total 1,757 Chicago residents were surveyed.
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Chicago mayoral candidate Ja’Mal Green announced his $5 billion public safety plan, called E.P.I.C. Some highlights from the plan include: a Chicago PPP program designed to lift 10,000 Chicagoans directly out of poverty each year by providing $1,000/month and city assistance for 12 months; providing citizens with tracking devices — such as Apple Air Tags — to prevent carjackings; the introduction of a year-round youth apprenticeship program; a city-run app to rate police officers and change the officer schedule to a four-day work week with one mental health day in between; and more. Read the full plan here.
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According to Gregory Pratt, a reporter for the Chicago Tribune, mayoral candidate Paul Vallas discussed his public safety plan, saying he would “move to waive the residency requirement” for Chicago Police officers. This is a controversial measure; supporters say it could increase retention while critics say it will drive out middle class residents and cut into motivation of officers.
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According to Erin Hegarty, a reporter for The Daily Line, mayoral candidate Ja’Mal Green’s attorney Anish Parikh says they’ll try to go after enough signatures to push opponent Willie Wilson below the required 12,500 signatures to get on the ballot and try to prove a pattern of fraud by Wilson’s campaign.
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Today, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that Anabel Abarca, a resident of the McKinley Park community since 2015, will serve as the new alderman representing the 12th Ward, according to a press release. The seat was left vacant by Abarca’s former boss Ald. George Cardenas, according to WTTW Chicago. Cardenas Lightfoot to pick Abarca.
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21st Ward candidate Nekoiya Washington has suspended her campaign for 21st Ward alderperson, according to Politico. “I didn’t arrive at this decision easily, but my family comes first,” she said in a statement. There are 13 other candidates in the race to replace Ald. Howard Brookins Jr., who didn’t seek reelection.
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Members of the interim Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability urged Chicago Police Department officials to scrap plans to launch a new system to track Chicagoans they believe to be members of gangs, according to WTTW Chicago. This dispute is the first clash between CPD and the newly-created commission, which is made up of Chicagoans and given authority to set police policy in an attempt to restore trust. The February 2023 municipal election will determine who will make up the three-seat councils in each of the city’s 22 police districts, who will in turn nominate people to serve on the commission.
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Community activist Ja’Mal Green won the top spot on the ballot for the 2023 Chicago mayoral race, followed in order by Sophia King, Kam Buckner, Willie Wilson, Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas. According to WGN, Mayor Lightfoot skipped the lottery and will be listed seventh, followed by Frederick Collins, John LoGalpo, Roderick Sawyer and Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia.
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Mayoral candidate Willie Wilson is trying to knock retiring Ald. Roderick Sawyer off the ballot, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Former state Sen. Rickey Hendon, who is a top Wilson advisor, is challenging mayoral candidate Ja’Mal Green. Simultaneously, Green is challenging Wilson.
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Today, Chicago mayoral candidate Ja’Mal Green announced he is challenging the nominating petitions submitted by fellow candidate Willie Wilson, according to a press release. Wilson filed 61,000 petitions, according to WBEZ. Green is scheduled to hold a press conference at 4:00 p.m. today.
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Since 1999, long-tenured Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. has reported investing $375,000 of the $4.2 million in campaign contributions he’s gotten from political supporters, but a Chicago Sun-Times investigation found that $300,000 of the invested money has disappeared from his campaign-finance reports.
