From Chicago Sun-Times · · 2m
Chicago mayoral candidates file for 2027 election
Chicago's 14 mayoral candidates file petitions for 2027 race as petition challenges loom.
In brief
Chicago's 14 mayoral candidates file petitions for 2027 race as petition challenges loom. Fourteen candidates filed nominating petitions for Chicago's 2027 mayoral election, but many face petition challenges to meet the 12,500 signature requirement. Originally reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
Mayoral filing deadline
Chicago’s mayoral candidates filed nominating petitions for the 2027 election on Monday, October 26, 2026.
14 candidates total
Fourteen candidates filed petitions to run for Chicago’s 2027 mayoral election, including Brandon Johnson’s potential re-election.
Final filers
Retiring Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, cardiologist Lisa Nee, Cook County Board of Review Commissioner George Cardenas, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, attorney William Quinlan, businessman Joe Holberg, conservative Danielle Carter-Walters, and former real estate developer…
First filers
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, lobbyist John Kelly, former Chicago Housing Authority Chair Matthew Brewer, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, and millionaire businessman Willie Wilson filed their petitions on the first day.
Petition challenges
Campaign managers expect candidates to scrutinize each other’s petitions to ensure they have 12,500 valid signatures to remain on the ballot.
Signature requirement
Candidates must gather 12,500 valid signatures to stay on the ballot for Chicago’s 2027 mayoral election.
Field likely to shrink
The crowded mayoral field could narrow significantly by February as candidates challenge each other’s petitions.
Brandon Johnson
Brandon Johnson is the incumbent mayor running for re-election in Chicago’s 2027 mayoral race.
Chicago Police license plate readers
The Chicago Police Department is auditing its use of license plate reader systems to prevent misuse across law enforcement agencies.
Flock license plate reader misuse
A former Joliet police lieutenant faces felony charges for alleged misuse of Flock technology, the third known case this year in Will County.
Permanent festival site
Chicago voters will decide in November whether to establish a permanent site for large-scale festivals and events.
Lollapalooza and Riot Fest
Chicagoans have pushed back against privately run festivals in public spaces like Lollapalooza in Grant Park and Riot Fest in Douglass Park.
FBI letters with white powder
A Quincy man is accused of mailing letters containing white powder to four members of Illinois congressional delegation.
Chicago Police budget defense
Top mayoral aides defended Mayor Johnson’s $17.6 billion budget and acknowledged no backup plan if the corporate head tax fails again.
Chicago mayoral race
Chicago’s mayoral race is expected to narrow as candidates challenge each other’s petitions to meet the 12,500 signature requirement.
The headline
Fourteen candidates filed nominating petitions for Chicago's 2027 mayoral election, but many face petition challenges to meet the 12,500 signature requirement.
