Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson speaks with trainees at the Mid-America Carpenters Union facility on Thursday, April 27. (Heather Cherone/WTTW News)

The team, led by University of Illinois at Chicago Professor Barbara Ransby and Charles Smith, an insurance executive, will have to work fast — Johnson is set to take office in 18 days.

Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson fields questions from the news media on Feb. 7, 2023, after the WTTW News mayoral forum. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

The attacks from Mayor Lori Lightfoot represent a shift in her campaign strategy during the past three weeks. In late January, Lightfoot was publicly dismissive of Johnson’s chances, telling a gathering in Wrigleyville that the Chicago Teachers Union’s pick would not be mayor of Chicago.

(WTTW News)

Things got pointed at the final Chicago mayoral candidate debate. Our politics team weighs in on that story and more.

Candidates Ja’Mal Green, Ald. Sophia King (4th Ward), state Rep. Kam Buckner and Willie Wilson at the WTTW News mayoral forum on Feb. 7, 2023. (Michael Izquierdo)
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During press interviews held after WTTW's mayoral forum Tuesday evening, challengers to Mayor Lori Lightfoot pledged to reestablish a Department of Environment — disbanded in 2011 under Rahm Emanuel — if elected.

(WTTW News)

Things got heated between the candidates at the WTTW News mayoral forum this week. Our politics team weighs in on that story.

Brandon Johnson, Paul Vallas, Lori Lightfoot and Roderick Sawyer prepare for the start of the WTTW News Mayoral Forum on Feb. 7, 2023. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

A visual look at the WTTW News Mayoral Forum. On topics ranging from police reform and crime to Chicago Public Schools and affordable housing, candidates shared their views on the biggest issues facing the city. 

Candidates at the WTTW News mayoral forum. (Michael Izquierdo)

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot defended her record on police reform at the WTTW News mayoral forum and accused her challengers of throwing “bombs from the cheap seats.”

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García. (WTTW News)

Now indicted Sam Bankman-Fried spent millions of dollars to boost the chances of Democratic candidates in this year’s elections.

Cleopatra Watson, waits to file her petitions to run for 9th Ward alderperson at 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 21, after waiting in line for nearly 72 hours. (Heather Cherone / WTTW News)

Willie Wilson, Ja’Mal Green, state Rep. Kam Buckner, Paul Vallas, Brandon Johnson and Ald. Sophia King (4th Ward) all filed to run for mayor of Chicago.

Chicago City Hall. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

A wide-ranging and still-growing field of challengers are seeking to deny incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot a second term in February 2023. 

A shot from a new campaign video released by Ald. Sophia King. (Friends of Sophia King)

Chicago residents aren’t used to having a lot of options when an incumbent mayor is running for re-election, but so far eight candidates have declared they’re running.

A memorial for three-year-old Lily Shambrook at the Uptown intersection where she was killed by a driver while riding in a carrier on her mother’s bike is pictured on June 12, 2022. (Nick Blumberg / WTTW News)

The walk-and-roll rally on Sunday began at Leavitt Street and Eastwood Avenue in Lincoln Square, where 2-year-old Raphael “Rafi” Cardenas was struck and killed by a driver June 2 while he was crossing the street on a scooter. At last report, the driver has not been cited.

State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, announces his campaign for mayor on May 12, 2022. (WTTW News)

Buckner told WTTW News he decided to run for mayor because Chicago needs a leader who is “fearless and compassionate.”

(WTTW News)

Illinois hotel leaders are proposing the Hotel Jobs Recovery Act, which would allocate funds to hotels across the state to rehire workers. The group is proposing $250 million to come from the state’s leftover American Rescue Plan Act funding, giving one-time grants of $1,500 per room for every hotel in Illinois. 

The Loyola Ramblers get ready for their Sweet 16 matchup in March 2018. (WTTW News)
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 A new state law allows Illinois college athletes to play ball with – and make bank from – businesses, by entering into endorsement deals and doing commercials. 

The site of the proposed development One Central. (WTTW News)

The proposed mega-development would create residential and retail space, parkland and a transit hub on top of the Metra tracks just west of Soldier Field. Why some lawmakers want to block state financing for the splashy, $20 billion plan.