Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson celebrates with supporters after defeating Paul Vallas after the mayoral runoff election late Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo / Paul Beaty, File)

In Chicago, a former teacher’s union organizer unexpectedly won the mayor’s race. In St. Louis, progressives secured a majority on the municipal board. The next opportunities could lie in Philadelphia and Houston, which also hold mayoral elections this year.

Members of the Chicago City Council meet on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. (WTTW News)

None of the City Council members appointed by Lightfoot, who lost her bid for a second term as mayor on Tuesday, won their seats outright.

Members of the Chicago City Council meet on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. (WTTW News)

The Get Stuff Done PAC has raised $1.74 million since early December, including $1 million from Michael Sacks, one of Chicago’s richest men and a frequent donor and adviser to former Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Members of the Chicago City Council meet on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. (WTTW News)

A coalition of progressive groups has been working for nearly a year to prevent Mayor Lori Lightfoot from being re-elected by uniting behind a single candidate. Nothing in the Lightfoot’s spending plan is likely to alter that determination — and may give them more ammunition to use against the mayor.

The eight aldermen that form Chicago City Council’s self-styled “Progressive Caucus” have a novel approach to solving the city’s pension crisis: convene a panel of city workers, elected officials, and fund managers to come up with a long-term solution. Read an article.