Candidates

About this Race: The mayor is the chief executive of Chicago and presides over the City Council. The mayor also has the power to appoint numerous positions, including the Chicago Police Department’s superintendent and the Chicago Fire Department’s commissioner, the CEO and board of the Chicago Public Schools, the heads of city departments, and the boards of bodies such as the CTA, the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Public Library.

An unusually large field of candidates is running to replace Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who made the surprise announcement in September 2018 that he would not run for a third term.

Runoff Election

Jerry Joyce

Jerry Joyce - Chicago Mayor Candidate

“We cannot solve our financial problems on the backs of our residential property owners.”

Paul Vallas

Paul Vallas - Chicago Mayor Candidate

“I am still the only candidate with the skills and the demonstrated track record who can manage this city on day one.”

Willie Wilson

Willie Wilson - Chicago Mayor Candidate

“We will give the city BACK to the PEOPLE!”

Toni Preckwinkle

Toni Preckwinkle - Chicago Mayor Candidate

“I want to make sure that all of our youth have a solid education and real opportunities.”

Bill Daley

Bill Daley - Chicago Mayor Candidate

“We must set higher expectations and demand safer streets in every neighborhood.”

Garry McCarthy

Garry McCarthy - Chicago Mayor Candidate

“We have to use data-driven policing strategies to enhance professional management, and put more police officers on the streets, not behind desks.”

Gery Chico

Gery Chico - Chicago Mayor Candidate

“Together, we can build a “Chicago Comeback” that becomes a model for the nation.”

Susana Mendoza

Susana Mendoza - Chicago Mayor Candidate

“It’s time we have a mayor who is from the neighborhoods, understands the neighborhoods, and puts our neighborhoods first.”

Amara Enyia

Amara Enyia - Chicago Mayor Candidate

“The status quo uses neighborhood difference as tools to divide us; as though what Ravenswood needs is any different than what Englewood requires.”

La Shawn K. Ford

La Shawn K. Ford - Chicago Mayor Candidate

“I invite you to partner with me in a movement fueled by people to make Chicago one of the greatest cities to live in.”

Neal Sales Griffin

Did not participate in the WTTW Chicago Voters’ Guide.

Lori Lightfoot

Lori Lightfoot - Chicago Mayor Candidate

“I’ve spent my career taking on tough challenges and I’ll keep fighting for change as mayor.”

Bob Fioretti

Bob Fioretti - Chicago Mayor Candidate

“It's time we started inviting people into Chicago, instead of taxing them out.”

John Kozlar

Did not participate in the WTTW Chicago Voters’ Guide.