Chicago is about to choose its next mayor – and 14 candidates are vying for the job. To help voters better understand the candidates’ positions on specific issues facing the city, we conducted a short multiple-choice survey. Bill Daley, Garry McCarthy and Neal Sales Griffin did not participate.
Choose a topic below or scroll to read all the candidates’ answers.
Ethics
At least three members of the Chicago City Council are under federal investigation: Ald. Ed Burke is battling a criminal attempted extortion charge; the FBI reportedly built a hefty case against outgoing Ald. Danny Solis before he agreed to wear a wire; and Ald. Willie Cochran is scheduled to go to trial in June on corruption charges. There are now widespread calls to clean up City Hall. How are the candidates for mayor promising to do that?
What type of ban on outside employment for aldermen do you support?
- A full ban
- A partial ban
- I don't support this proposal
Jerry JoyceA full ban
Paul VallasA full ban
Willie WilsonA full ban
Toni PreckwinkleA full ban
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoA full ban
Susana MendozaA partial ban
Amara EnyiaA full ban
La Shawn K. FordA full ban
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootA partial ban
Bob FiorettiA full ban
John KozlarA full ban
What kind of mayoral term limits do you support?
- Two terms
- Three terms
- I don’t support mayoral term limits
Jerry JoyceTwo terms
Paul VallasTwo terms
Willie WilsonTwo terms
Toni PreckwinkleI don’t support mayoral term limits
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoThree terms
Susana MendozaTwo terms
Amara EnyiaThree terms
La Shawn K. FordTwo terms
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootTwo terms
Bob FiorettiTwo terms
John KozlarTwo terms
What kind of aldermanic term limits do you support?
- Two terms
- Three terms
- Limits only for committee chairmanships
- I don’t support aldermanic term limits
Jerry JoyceThree terms
Paul VallasTwo terms
Willie WilsonTwo terms
Toni PreckwinkleI don’t support aldermanic term limits
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoThree terms
Susana MendozaTwo terms
Amara EnyiaThree terms
La Shawn K. FordLimits only for committee chairmanships
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootThree terms
Bob FiorettiTwo terms
John KozlarTwo terms
Should aldermen control zoning in their wards?
- Yes
- No
Jerry JoyceYes
Paul VallasNo
Willie WilsonNo
Toni PreckwinkleYes
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoNo
Susana MendozaNo
Amara EnyiaNo
La Shawn K. FordNo
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootNo
Bob FiorettiNo
John KozlarNo
Who should make zoning and licensing decisions?
- City Council members
- The administrative branch
Jerry JoyceCity Council members
Paul VallasThe administrative branch
Willie WilsonThe administrative branch
Toni PreckwinkleCity Council members
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoThe administrative branch
Susana MendozaThe administrative branch
Amara EnyiaThe administrative branch
La Shawn K. FordThe administrative branch
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootThe administrative branch
Bob FiorettiThe administrative branch
John KozlarThe administrative branch
Do you support a ban on Chicago politicians’ family members getting city jobs?
- Yes
- No
- Only for top policy positions
Jerry JoyceYes
Paul VallasYes
Willie WilsonOnly for top policy positions
Toni PreckwinkleYes
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoNo
Susana MendozaYes
Amara EnyiaOnly for top policy positions
La Shawn K. FordYes
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootYes
Bob FiorettiYes
John KozlarOnly for top policy positions
Education
One of the next mayor’s first tasks will be to negotiate a new contract with Chicago teachers; the current agreement expires at the end of June. The Chicago Teachers Union has already laid out 75 demands, including a call for 5-percent raises. And while Chicago’s mayor currently appoints Chicago Public Schools leadership, state legislators are considering changing that law so the school board would be an elected body.
What kind of school board do you support?
- Elected school board
- Hybrid school board
- Appointed school board
Jerry JoyceElected school board
Paul VallasHybrid school board
Willie WilsonElected school board
Toni PreckwinkleElected school board
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoHybrid school board
Susana MendozaHybrid school board
Amara EnyiaElected school board
La Shawn K. FordElected school board
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootElected school board
Bob FiorettiHybrid school board
John KozlarHybrid school board
Are you in support of teachers getting raises in their next contract?
- Yes
- No
- It depends
Jerry JoyceYes
Paul VallasYes
Willie WilsonIt depends
Toni PreckwinkleYes
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoIt depends
Susana MendozaYes
Amara EnyiaYes
La Shawn K. FordYes
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootYes
Bob FiorettiIt depends
John KozlarIt depends
Do you support a longer school day?
- Yes
- No
Jerry JoyceYes
Paul VallasYes
Willie WilsonYes
Toni PreckwinkleNo
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoYes
Susana MendozaYes
Amara EnyiaYes
La Shawn K. FordYes
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootNo
Bob FiorettiNo
John KozlarNo
Do you support full-day kindergarten?
- Yes
- No
Jerry JoyceYes
Paul VallasYes
Willie WilsonYes
Toni PreckwinkleYes
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoYes
Susana MendozaYes
Amara EnyiaYes
La Shawn K. FordYes
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootYes
Bob FiorettiYes
John KozlarYes
What type of charter school changes would you like to see?
- More charter schools
- Fewer charter schools
- I think the current number is about right
Jerry JoyceI think the current number is about right
Paul VallasI think the current number is about right
Willie WilsonFewer charter schools
Toni PreckwinkleFewer charter schools
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoI think the current number is about right
Susana MendozaI think the current number is about right
Amara EnyiaFewer charter schools
La Shawn K. FordFewer charter schools
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootI think the current number is about right
Bob FiorettiI think the current number is about right
John KozlarI think the current number is about right
Pensions
Chicago residents are already paying more than their suburban neighbors on 911 fees and property, water and sewer taxes in order to help pay down pension debt. But a pension cliff still looms, with the city expected to have to raise its contribution to pension funds by nearly $1 billion by 2023. Outgoing Mayor Rahm Emanuel has laid out some controversial ideas. Among them: changing the state constitution so the city can reduce benefits, building a casino in the city, and issuing a pension obligation bond. How are the candidates proposing to shore up these funds?
Do you support raising property taxes to help close the pension gap?
- Yes
- No
Jerry JoyceNo
Paul VallasNo
Willie WilsonNo
Toni PreckwinkleNo
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoNo
Susana MendozaNo
Amara EnyiaNo
La Shawn K. FordNo
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootNo
Bob FiorettiNo
John KozlarNo
Do you support hikes in any other taxes/fees to help close the pension gap?
- Yes
- No
Jerry JoyceNo
Paul VallasNo
Willie WilsonNo
Toni PreckwinkleNo
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoYes
Susana MendozaNo
Amara EnyiaYes
La Shawn K. FordYes
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootNo
Bob FiorettiNo
John KozlarNo
Do you support pension obligation bonds to help close the pension gap?
- Yes
- No
Jerry JoyceNo
Paul VallasNo
Willie WilsonNo
Toni PreckwinkleNo
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoNo
Susana MendozaYes
Amara EnyiaNo
La Shawn K. FordNo
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootNo
Bob FiorettiNo
John KozlarNo
Do you support a change to the Illinois Constitution to end 3-percent compounded cost of living adjustments (COLAs)?
- Yes
- No
Jerry JoyceNo
Paul VallasNo
Willie WilsonNo
Toni PreckwinkleNo
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoNo
Susana MendozaNo
Amara EnyiaNo
La Shawn K. FordNo
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootNo
Bob FiorettiNo
John KozlarYes
Do you support taxing marijuana sales to fund city pensions?
- Yes
- No
Jerry JoyceYes
Paul VallasNo
Willie WilsonYes
Toni PreckwinkleYes
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoYes
Susana MendozaYes
Amara EnyiaNo
La Shawn K. FordYes
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootYes
Bob FiorettiYes
John KozlarYes
Do you support a city casino to fund city pensions?
- Yes
- No
Jerry JoyceYes
Paul VallasNo
Willie WilsonYes
Toni PreckwinkleYes
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoYes
Susana MendozaYes
Amara EnyiaNo
La Shawn K. FordYes
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootYes
Bob FiorettiYes
John KozlarYes
Crime
Chicago Police Department statistics show that homicides and other crimes are down, thanks in part to more officers on the streets and gun detection technology. But violence and police-community relations are complex, pressing issues. A just-approved consent decree will bring reforms to the police department – the agreement sparked by the 2014 murder of black teen Laquan McDonald by a white Chicago police officer – but Chicago’s police union opposes that decree. And the next mayor will have to negotiate a new contract with the union. What will the next mayor do to curb crime and bridge tensions between residents and police?
Do you support building a new police and fire academy?
- Yes
- No
Jerry JoyceYes
Paul VallasYes
Willie WilsonNo
Toni PreckwinkleNo
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoYes
Susana MendozaYes
Amara EnyiaNo
La Shawn K. FordNo
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootNo
Bob FiorettiNo
John KozlarNo
Would you hire more police officers and detectives?
- Yes
- No
Jerry JoyceYes
Paul VallasYes
Willie WilsonNo
Toni PreckwinkleYes
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoYes
Susana MendozaYes
Amara EnyiaNo
La Shawn K. FordNo
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootYes
Bob FiorettiYes
John KozlarYes
Do you support raising property, real estate, or sales taxes to help hire more police officers?
- Yes
- No
Jerry JoyceNo
Paul VallasYes
Willie WilsonNo
Toni PreckwinkleNo
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoNo
Susana MendozaNo
Amara EnyiaNo
La Shawn K. FordNo
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootNo
Bob FiorettiNo
John KozlarNo
Do you support tougher sentences for illegal possession of weapons?
- Yes
- No
Jerry JoyceYes
Paul VallasYes
Willie WilsonYes
Toni PreckwinkleYes
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoNo
Susana MendozaYes
Amara EnyiaNo
La Shawn K. FordNo
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootYes
Bob FiorettiYes
John KozlarYes
Do you support tougher sentences for failure to report lost or stolen weapons?
- Yes
- No
Jerry JoyceYes
Paul VallasYes
Willie WilsonYes
Toni PreckwinkleYes
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoYes
Susana MendozaYes
Amara EnyiaNo
La Shawn K. FordNo
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootYes
Bob FiorettiYes
John KozlarYes
Transportation
Chicago has one of the nation’s largest public transit networks. But the network’s infrastructure is aging, and transit agencies say they’re underfunded. What do the candidates for mayor think is “fare” when it comes to the CTA?
Do you support building more bus rapid transit lanes?
- Yes
- No
Jerry JoyceYes
Paul VallasYes
Willie WilsonDid not answer
Toni PreckwinkleYes
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoYes
Susana MendozaYes
Amara EnyiaYes
La Shawn K. FordYes
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootYes
Bob FiorettiYes
John KozlarYes
Do you support the use of Tax Increment Financing (TIFs) to fund transit upgrades?
- Yes
- No
Jerry JoyceYes
Paul VallasYes
Willie WilsonDid not answer
Toni PreckwinkleYes
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoYes
Susana MendozaYes
Amara EnyiaNo
La Shawn K. FordYes
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootYes
Bob FiorettiYes
John KozlarYes
Finance
Chicago’s current budget contains no brand-new taxes (though residents are paying higher taxes due to phased-in hikes from prior years). Still, the city has a structural deficit. And enforcement of the Chicago Police Department consent decree, pensions and other costs will add to the spending tab. A look at the mayoral candidates’ fiscal forecasts.
What action will you take on TIFs?
- Continue to use TIFs
- Use TIFs only in blighted areas
- End all TIFs
Jerry JoyceUse TIFs only in blighted areas
Paul VallasContinue to use TIFs
Willie WilsonUse TIFs only in blighted areas
Toni PreckwinkleUse TIFs only in blighted areas
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoContinue to use TIFs
Susana MendozaContinue to use TIFs
Amara EnyiaUse TIFs only in blighted areas
La Shawn K. FordUse TIFs only in blighted areas
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootUse TIFs only in blighted areas
Bob FiorettiUse TIFs only in blighted areas
John KozlarUse TIFs only in blighted areas
What tax or taxes would you support raising to help fund city government? (Check all that apply)
- Property tax
- New Chicago income tax
- Expand Illinois sales tax to include services
- Soda tax
- Financial exchange tax
- Other
- We don’t need additional taxes
Jerry JoyceOther
Paul VallasOther
Willie WilsonWe don’t need additional taxes
Toni PreckwinkleWe don’t need additional taxes
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoOther
Susana MendozaOther
Amara EnyiaFinancial exchange tax
La Shawn K. FordFinancial exchange tax
OtherNeal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootExpand Illinois sales tax to include services
OtherBob FiorettiOther
John KozlarWe don’t need additional taxes
Development
From Avondale to Woodlawn, Albany Park to Washington Park, Chicago’s a pulsing city of neighborhoods. But the city faces challenges over affordable housing, gentrification and a declining population. How might proposed mega-developments like Lincoln Yards and “The 78” contribute to these problems – or help solve them? And that’s only if they’re approved – some of the candidates for mayor want to block the developments. Here’s where they stand.
Do you support the $800 million TIF for the Lincoln Yards development?
- Yes
- No
Jerry JoyceNo
Paul VallasNo
Willie WilsonNo
Toni PreckwinkleNo
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoNo
Susana MendozaYes
Amara EnyiaNo
La Shawn K. FordNo
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootNo
Bob FiorettiNo
John KozlarNo
Do you support the approval of zoning changes for the Lincoln Yards project?
- Yes
- No
Jerry JoyceNo
Paul VallasNo
Willie WilsonYes
Toni PreckwinkleNo
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoYes
Susana MendozaYes
Amara EnyiaNo
La Shawn K. FordNo
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootNo
Bob FiorettiNo
John KozlarNo
Do you support using TIF funding for Related Midwest’s development project, “The 78”?
- Yes
- No
Jerry JoyceNo
Paul VallasYes
Willie WilsonNo
Toni PreckwinkleNo
Bill DaleyDid not participate
Garry McCarthyDid not participate
Gery ChicoNo
Susana MendozaYes
Amara EnyiaNo
La Shawn K. FordNo
Neal Sales GriffinDid not participate
Lori LightfootNo
Bob FiorettiNo
John KozlarNo
Learn more about each mayoral candidate, and see all their responses to each survey question.
Mayoral Candidates Back to top