Politics

Johnson Makes Bid for Chicago Mayor Official By Filing Thousands of Signatures

Mayor Brandon Johnson made his bid to become the second Black man to be reelected Chicago mayor official Friday afternoon, telling reporters he had gathered 33,000 signatures from Chicago voters to qualify for the Feb. 23 ballot.

To win a second term, Johnson will have to overcome a serious challenge from perhaps a dozen candidates, including Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias — who told reporters Monday that he filed approximately 60,000 signatures, is backed by the endorsement of much of Chicago’s organized labor community and has nearly $20 million in the bank.

Wearing a windbreaker embroidered with the city seal and his name and title, as well as red and black Air Force One Nikes, Johnson told reporters he was ready to make history.

“(The) people of Chicago have already had the transformational leadership that they’ve been calling for,” Johnson said. “And I’m counting on the people of Chicago to reelect me so we can continue to do that work.”

Johnson bucked tradition by filing his nominating petitions Friday afternoon, rather than first thing Monday morning — ensuring a shot at the first spot on the ballot — or next week, at the last possible minute, which would entitle him to try to win the last slot on the ballot.

“What do I need a lottery for? I am the mayor of the city of Chicago,” Johnson said. 

Johnson is set to be listed sixth on the ballot.

Johnson, backed by the Chicago Teachers Union, said he was prepared to campaign hard to win a second term.

“My responsibility in this moment is to go and convince the people of the city of Chicago that another four years of investing in young people, investing in our public schools, driving violence down, and expanding mental and behavioral health care, and building more affordable homes, that that work is just getting started,” Johnson said.

Along with Giannoulias, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, businessman Willie Wilson, longtime lobbyist John Kelly and former Chicago Housing Authority chair Matt Brewer also filed to run for mayor on Monday.

Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Cook County Board of Review member George Cardenas and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas have until 5 p.m. Monday to file their petitions.

Mayoral candidates must submit at least 12,500 signatures from registered Chicago voters. Those who filed less than three times the required amount could find themselves in the crosshairs — and facing weeks of wrangling over hundreds — if not thousands — of signatures.  

All objections must be filed by Nov. 2, and the ballot is scheduled to be certified by Dec. 17, records show.

Mail-in ballots are scheduled to be sent to voters on Jan. 14, the same day early voting is set to start.

Voters will finally have their say on Feb. 23 — unless no candidate gets 50% of the vote plus one. In that case, the top two candidates head to the runoff on April 6.

The new term for the mayor, city clerk, treasurer, all 50 members of the Chicago City Council and the members of the Police District Councils starts May 17.

Contact Heather Cherone: @HeatherCherone | (773) 569-1863 | [email protected]

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