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Candidates are lining up to run for Chicago mayor. (Campaign photos; U.S. House Office of Photography)
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Chicago’s next mayoral election is less than a year away and the list of candidates — and those considering a run — is growing ever larger. Petitions for a spot on the ballot will start circulating July 28 and are due in late October.
Here is a breakdown of who’s running and who may still enter the race ahead of the Feb. 23, 2027, election.
The Incumbent:
Brandon Johnson: Chicago’s current mayor has long spoken about his plans to serve multiple terms in office, but Johnson has not yet formally announced his plans to run for reelection.
The Current Field:
Susana Mendoza: The Illinois state comptroller is a former state legislator and Chicago city clerk. She threw her hat into the ring to become the city’s next mayor on June 3. If elected, she said she would curb City Hall spending, rebuild trust between residents and police and ensure a safe, clean and reliable CTA transit system.
Mike Quigley: The U.S. representative for Illinois’ 5th District, who has long considered running for mayor, officially kicked off his campaign with a speech June 27 at the Uptown Theatre. He has pledged to tackle Chicago’s budget issues and provide strong schools in every community, expanded mental health services and an abundant supply of housing.
George Cardenas: The longtime 12th Ward alderperson and Cook County Board of Review commissioner announced his plans to run for mayor June 17, promising to fix the city’s fiscal and public safety issues.
Matt Brewer: The former Chicago Housing Authority board chair, whom Johnson sought to oust earlier this year, entered the race June 25. Brewer remains a board member on the Housing Authority and co-owns both the Wiener’s Circle and the city’s first independent, Black-owned marijuana dispensary.
Jay Holberg: The founder and CEO of Spring, Holberg became the first candidate to officially enter the 2027 race when he kicked off his campaign last fall. Holberg said he will prioritize growing Chicago’s economy, eliminating debt and expanding housing options.
Liam Stanton: The founder and principal of June Capital is running on what he has called a “Hit the Gas” platform that prioritizes accelerating Chicago growth, lowering the cost of living and modernizing Chicago police deployments and community partnerships.
The Potential Candidates:
Alexi Giannoulias: Illinois secretary of state.
Maria Pappas: Cook County treasurer.
Lisa Nee: Healthcare and public policy advisor.
Willie Wilson: Chicago businessman.
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Sponsor Message
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The Chicago Symphony Orchestra returns to Ravinia this summer for its 90th summer residency, featuring world-class performances, celebrated conductors, and unforgettable nights in the newly transformed Hunter Pavilion. Plan an evening of extraordinary music in one of Chicago's most beloved outdoor settings. Get tickets at www.ravinia.org!
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Antonio Santos and Katia Martinez founded the Gage Park Latinx Council. (WTTW News)
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On a recent Wednesday morning, a group of children gathered inside a community space in Gage Park.
“We’re going to start by pushing in our chairs and getting up,” an instructor told the room.
The children were part of Pequeños Soñadores, a free summer camp run by the Gage Park Latinx Council. For eight years, the organization has offered a two-month summer program where neighborhood children can explore art, build community and have something to do close to home. But the camp is just one part of the work.
In a neighborhood where nearly 90% of residents identify as Latino and many families are rooted in Catholic traditions, the queer-led grassroots organization has grown into a hub for families.
“I feel like a lot of moms were looking for programming for their children,” said Katia Martinez, one of the organization’s founders. “And I feel like whenever I look at a community, specifically a Latine community, if you’re able to reach the moms, you’re able to reach everyone.”
Martinez and co-founder Antonio Santos were both born and raised in Gage Park. They returned to serve the neighborhood that shaped them.
“It made me feel really happy to be back in the community, but it also opened my eyes to the divestment that Gage Park faces,” Martinez said. “… Especially coming from the Loop area and having to take the train back and then asking myself, ‘Why are there not more trees? Why is it so difficult to even get garbage cans outside?’”
Some backstory:
What began as a grassroots effort to support local families has expanded over the years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the council distributed groceries, connected residents with resources and advocated for the neighborhood’s first vaccine site.
“60632, which is the ZIP code we’re in, had the No. 1 mortality rate during COVID, and yet the city wasn’t responding,” Santos said.
Today, the organization offers youth programming, community events and workshops. One of those programs, Queer Riot, teaches young people about LGBTQ+ history.
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A Chicago Police Department vehicle is parked on Clark Street near Daley Plaza on June 15, 2026. (Victor Hilitski / WTTW News)
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More than 200 people have been killed in Chicago through the first six months of 2026, an uptick over last year’s historic reduction in violence, but still well below the pace of other recent years.
According to Chicago Police Department data, there were 210 homicides recorded through the end of June, an increase of nearly 6% compared to the first six months of 2025 — a year that ended with Chicago’s lowest homicide total in 60 years.
This year’s homicide total also marks the second-fewest in the city through the first six months of any year since 2015.
The number of shootings in Chicago has also risen in 2026. City data shows there have been 686 shootings this year, an increase of 4% year-over-year, and a total of 858 shooting victims.
In June alone, there were 139 shootings and 43 homicides in Chicago, according to CPD data.
The number of robberies and armed robberies reported this year are down 27% and 32%, respectively, while carjackings are down 25% and burglaries are down 12%, CPD data shows.
Violent crime on the CTA’s train and bus lines is down 28% this year compared to last, according to the CPD, while property crime is down 32%.
Chicago police officers have also recovered 5,149 illegal firearms since the start of the year, including 857 in June.
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More From WTTW News:
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Via WTTW Playlist: Hofherr Meat Co. in Northfield revives a family business after two generations away, with housemade sausage and deli staples and dry-aged beef, in addition to a finely tuned Italian beef sandwich.
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Back in the Day: July 6, 1925 - Tribune Tower Opens to the Public
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One of the most magnificent neo-Gothic buildings in Chicago's skyline, the Tribune Tower, opened its doors to the public 101 years ago today. The 36-floor skyscraper on Michigan Avenue housed the Chicago Tribune from 1925 to 2018 and was designed by New York architects John Mead Howells and Raymond Hood. It cost $8.5 million ($162.77 million today) and construction took over two years. According to the New York Times, an estimated 20,000-strong crowd gathered to tour the new building. Since 2018, the tower has served as a luxury condo building.
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This Week’s Civic Events and Meetings
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Every Monday, WTTW News highlights the best ways to get involved with local government.
City Council’s Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight
On Tuesday at 11 a.m., the City Council’s Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight will consider “prohibiting use or disclosure of confidential information for prediction markets or event contracts” and a motion calling on “U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros to resign as U.S. Attorney for Northern District of Illinois.” For more information, check the meeting agenda.
City Council’s Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation
On Tuesday, at 1 p.m., the City Council’s Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation will hold a meeting. Among the many items on the agenda, the subcommittee will consider a resolution in support of a potential Chicago Park District designation of Northerly Island as "Pope Leo XIV Northerly Island." To peruse the full agenda, click here.
City Council's Committee on Housing and Real Estate
On Wednesday at 12:30 p.m., the City Council's Committee on Housing and Real Estate will hold a regular meeting, which includes a call for a hearing "to provide insights and recommendations for Flexible Housing Pool program." For more information and other items on the agenda, click here.
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What's one touristy thing that every Chicagoan should do in the city?
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published.
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
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