2027 Chicago mayoral election

An election for mayor of Chicago is scheduled to be held on February 23, 2027. If no candidate receives a majority of votes, a runoff election will be held on April 6, 2027.^[1]

2027 Chicago mayoral election

← 2023 February 23, 2027 2031 →

Incumbent Mayor Brandon Johnson

Candidates

Expressed interest

• Rahm Emanuel, former mayor (2011–2019), senior advisor to the U.S. president (1993–1998), member of the U.S. House of Representatives from IL–5 (2003–2009), White House chief of staff (2009–2010), and U.S. ambassador to Japan (2022–2025)^[2][3]
• Susana Mendoza, Illinois comptroller (2016–present), former member of the Illinois House of Representatives (2001–2011) and Chicago city clerk (2011–2016), and 2019 mayoral candidate^[4][5][6]
• Liam Stanton, technological executive^[7]

Potential

The following individuals have received media speculation as being prospective candidates:

• Kam Buckner, member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 26th district (2019–present), 2023 mayoral candidate^[4][8]
• Bill Conway, Chicago City Council alderperson (2023–present) and 2020 Cook County state's attorney candidate^[4][8]
• Alexi Giannoulias, treasurer of Illinois (2007–2011), Illinois secretary of state (2023–present) and 2010 Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate^[4][5][8]
• Luis Gutiérrez, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 4th congressional district (1993–2019)^[8]
• Brian K. Hopkins, Chicago City Council alderman from the 2nd ward (2015–present)^[8]
• Janice K. Jackson, CEO of Chicago Public Schools (2017–2021)^[9][8]
• Brandon Johnson, incumbent mayor (2023–present) and former member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners from the 1st district (2018–2023)^[4][5]
• Raymond Lopez, Chicago City Council alderperson from the 15th ward (2015–present) and 2023 mayoral candidate^[10][11][12]
• Lisa Madigan, former attorney general of Illinois (2003–2019) and member of the Illinois Senate from the 17th district (1999–2003)^[13]
• Maria Pappas, Cook County treasurer (1998–present) and former member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners (1990–1998)^[9]
• Mike Quigley, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 6th congressional district (2009–present) and former member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners from the 10th district (1998–2009)^[4][8]
• Brendan Reilly, Chicago City Council alderperson from the 42nd ward (2007–present), president pro tempore of the Chicago City Council (2019–2023) and vice Mayor of Chicago (2015–2019)^[14]
• Silvana Tabares, member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 21st district (2013–2018) and Chicago City Council alderperson from the 23rd ward (2018–present)^[4]
• Anna M. Valencia, Chicago city clerk (2017–present) and 2022 Illinois Secretary of State candidate^[4][8]
• Paul Vallas, former CEO of Chicago Public Schools (1995–2001), 2019 and 2023 mayoral candidate, 2014 Democratic lieutenant governor nominee and 2002 Democratic gubernatorial candidate^[15]
• Andre Vasquez, Chicago City Council alderperson from the 40th ward (2019–present)^[7]
• Gilbert Villegas, Chicago City Council alderperson from the 36th ward (2015–present)^[4]
• Willie Wilson, medical supplies company founder and perennial candidate^[7]

Polling

Hypothetical polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Anthony Beale	Kam Buckner	Bill Conway	Alexi Giannoualis	Ja'Mal Green	Luis Gutiérrez	Brandon Johnson	Susana Mendoza	Paul Vallas	Gilbert Villegas	Willie Wilson	Other / Undecided
M3 Strategies[16]	February 21–22, 2025	696 (LV)	± 3.71%	3.9%	6.3%	5.7%	21.0%	2.9%	5.1%	8.2%	11.7%	27.4%	2.0%	5.9%	–

Notes

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear