State Rep. Kam Buckner. David Greising: Kim Foxx and Lori Lightfoot show the reality of Garcia, by far, had the most support in the Hispanic community, with 56% of Latino voters saying theyd support him. "That's an issue that touches every voter in the city, and she's going to have to address that one head on.". The judge granted the citys request for a temporary injunction that barred Catanzara from making any public comments encouraging union members to disobey the vax mandate. And I dont even know if she still thinks that crime is high. Mayor Lightfoot was also asked if she has learned from any mistakes during the past three and a half years, to which she said, "Yes," adding that she has not always done things perfectly but said she's always tried to collaborate. When asked what she will miss about being mayor, Lightfoot said, "there's a long list. Roderick Sawyer (6th) drew no support. Chicago mayoral candidate and former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas speaks to a customer at Mannys Deli in the West Loop on Election Day. "Well, I think there were a variety of reasons. Many primary care practitioners are not adequately trained in pain management since learning about it is not required in medical school or during residency, a physician writes. The mayor has condemned Johnson as a radical plotting to defund the police and raise taxes by $800 million, killing jobs and driving businesses out of Chicago. Paul Vallas, a former CEO of Chicago schools, will face Brandon Johnson, a Cook County commissioner endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union. Election Day is Tuesday, with a likely runoff for the top-two vote-getters in April. ), a Lightfoot supporter, told the Sun-Times shortly before the mayor conceded. Shes installed deadbolts on her door in the last few years. Crime and public safety have been major issues at most of the debates and forums the nine candidates have attended. "Obviously we've got to make sure we continue to do everything that we can to make public safety the priority, period. CHICAGO (CBS) - Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx announced Tuesday she won't be running for re-election next year. "What I hope, is that the work that we have done in the weather - it's through the investments in youth, investments in health care, affordable housing, public safety, mental health, public health - I hope that that work will stand the test of time through the lives of the people who have been most affected by it," Lightfoot said. She has also touted record spending on public safety, including the police department and anti-violence programs. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia says Lightfoot faces toughest re-election challenge Middle row, from left: Willie Wilson, Brandon Johnson, Paul Vallas. Foxx defended her decision . In the runup to the 2024 election, the Sun-Times, WBEZ and the Center for Effective Government at the University of Chicago will be collaborating on a project to educate our audience about the threat to our democracy and how we can form a more perfect union.. Now Lightfoot is telling voters she needs four more years. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. And upon announcing her reelection, she told a room of supporters on Chicago's South Side she anticipated the challenging campaign. McElroy said over the years a dozen of her relatives have left the city for other states. Well, if you didnt know, now you know. But, his oft-repeated promise to hunt criminals down like rabbits apparently gave voters second thoughts even after Wilson held a string of gas and grocery giveaways. Democratic Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot sensationally lost her re-election bid on Tuesday becoming the first incumbent leader of the Windy City to miss out on a second term in 40 years. Mayor Lori Lightfoot finished third in Tuesday's election with 16.89% of the vote, behind former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas at 33.95% and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson . I need you to fight with me every single day," Lightfoot said. Loving people and investing in people that is the way my father raised me. He will be propelled by that. Lori Lightfoot is the Mayor of Chicago in Illinois. Less than a year into her tenure, the Covid-19 pandemic shut down the city. I will not be endorsing Lori Lightfoot. Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes the election at the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council in River North Tuesday night. We have shifted the political dynamics in this city., He added, Tonight is about building a Chicago that truly invests in our people. But it may well have helped Johnson. And in recent days still more than 10 months before the . Lightfoot ran for re-election for Mayor of Chicago in Illinois. "Politics is a part of everyday life. With violent crime and the perception of it foremost on the minds of voters, the mayor who chose Chicago Police Supt. Just 2% said theyd vote for activist JaMal Green, and 1% chose either Ald. As part of her defense, Lightfoot told MSNBC that everyone at the street party was wearing masks. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Although Vallas finished 15 percentage points ahead of Johnson and goes into the runoff as the favorite, Axelrod has called Johnson a dangerous opponent. Sixteen members who were elected four years ago have either already left or are planning to. Lightfoot has criticized Vallas as a Republican in disguise, noting he has received campaign contributions from GOP donors. If she fails to make the runoff election, she would be the first elected Chicago mayor since Jane Byrne the citys first female mayor to fail to win a second term. In a January attack ad, Lightfoot highlighted a donation Garca received to his congressional campaign from disgraced FTX crypto exchange founder Sam Bankman-Fried. On Tuesday, Wilson was asked whether he would endorse Vallas, whose law-and-order, take-the-handcuffs-off the police message was similar to his own message. Lori Lightfoot: Chicago mayor will lose reelection bid, CNN projects Lightfoot is the first incumbent elected Chicago mayor to lose re-election since 1983, when Jane Byrne, the city's first female mayor, lost her primary. "There's a lot of anger, frustration and fear that is present, not only in Chicago, but across our country. Never will be good for Chicago, said Wilson, who said he plans to visit churches and neighborhoods before deciding whether or not to make an endorsement. Lightfoot the rookie politician won in 2019 in part because of her credentials as an outsider, but Lightfoot the incumbent does not have that advantage. Lightfoot seeks reelection help from old, new supporters | WBEZ Chicago She reflected on what went wrong, as well what she hopes will be her legacy. But that doesn't mean we're not ready for the fight. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Vies For Re-Election After Rocky First Its hard to make the case for reelection when your numbers are that bad, and youve got so many people in the city and its across the board saying they dont think things are going well.. Even so, the 9.46%that Wilson did carry helped drive the strong turnout among older voters who dominate Wilsons church-based constituency. Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times file This time around, the mayoral field is almost certain to be smaller at least in part due to those soon-to-be-diminished mayoral powers. The nine candidates running for election are: Ja'Mal Green. It didnt save Lightfoot. That's one thing that she is going to have to answer for at all costs. I think Chuy can bring the groups together, which I think is important because theres so many different splintering groups now in the City Council, Harano said. The poll did find a slight gender gap, with Garcia leading among male voters, and Lightfoot among women. Lightfoot made history in 2019 as the first Black woman and first openly LGBTQ person to be elected mayor of Chicago. Mayor Lori Lightfoot kicked her campaign for a second term into a new gear as the field of challengers continues to grow. But it will be a story if Johnson does, Axelrod said last week. Earlier Tuesday, sources told NBC 5 political reporter Mary Ann Ahern that Lightfoot was expected to announce her 2023 re-election campaign at a private event for donors and close allies in. During the campaign, a number of business leaders accused Lightfoot of neglecting the citys famous Michigan Avenue shopping district known as the Magnificent Mile. The contest is officially nonpartisan and does not include any primaries, and will go to a runoff election on April 4 if one candidate fails to win 50% of the votesa likely scenario given the crowded field of Democratic contenders. On the issue of crime, under Lightfoot, Chicago in 2021 recorded the most killings in a quarter-century, 797, and more than 3,500 shootings which was 1,400 more than were recorded in 2019, when Lightfoot first took office. In 2019, businessman Willie Wilson captured 13 of 18 majority Black wards in round one of the mayoral sweepstakes before giving Lightfoot a pivotal endorsement in round two. Now, the top two candidates head to a runoff election. She shook hands with supporters at the Starlight Restaurant this morning. Lightfoot has seen her early popularity as a stalwart leader during the pandemic fade, amid rising crime rates and heated public feuds with local lawmakers and the citys largest unions, including the conservative Fraternal Order of Police, which endorsed Vallas, and the liberal Chicago Teachers Union, which endorsed Johnson. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Mayor Lori Lightfoot is going on the offensive in the campaign for mayor as the field continues to grow. Round one of Chicago's mayoral election on Tuesday. But with six other Black candidates in the race, Lightfoots narrow path to victory was ultimately sealed off. Heres Brandon, a beaming Johnson said as his supporters chanted, We want Brandon., Well Chicago, we did it yall. Copyright 2023 NPR. "Instead of a public safety plan, she's raised bridges, put up barricades and demanded curfews," added State Representative Kam Buckner. Crime spiked during her term, though she has repeatedly touted that it dropped year-over-year in 2022. But, I'm done with electoral politics for myself.". Mayor Lori Lightfoot will seek to more than triple the tax charged on most solo ride-share patrons heading in and out of downtown Chicago as part of her plan to reduce congestion and raise much . In addition to Garcia, Vallas and Johnson, the other candidates running are wealthy businessman Willie Wilson, Chicago City Council members Sophia King and Roderick Sawyer, activist Ja'Mal Green and state Rep. Kambium Kam Buckner. Mayor Lori Lightfoot publicly acknowledged she might not run for reelection in 2023, saying it's "not a gimme" that she'll seek a second term. Lightfoot conceded defeat Tuesday night at her party in downtown Chicago, saying, "Obviously we didn't win the election today, but I stand here with my head held high.". Among women voters, 20% said theyd vote for the mayor, 18% for Garcia, 17% for Vallas and 12% for Wilson. The heart of labor is beating strong in Chicago and Illinois, Why were launching The Democracy Solutions Project, Opioid crisis cant be tackled without better pain management training for doctors. Mayor Lori Lightfoots reelection battle is clouded in uncertainty, her chances of beating either U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia or former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas in a runoff appearing slim and her prospects for even making it to the April election up in the air. But Chicagoans sent a message that they wanted change, rejecting both an incumbent mayor and a sitting congressman. Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot celebrates at her election night rally at the Hilton Chicago after defeating Toni Preckwinkle in the Chicago mayoral election on April 2, 2019. Kim Foxx won't run for re-election in 2024 - CBS Chicago - CBS News Johnson wont commit to filling the 1,700 police vacancies or fully funding the Chicago Police Departments $1.94 billion budget. "I can't concern myself about who else gets in the race. Lightfoot, a Democrat, failed to get enough votes in the nine-person race to move on to an April 4 runoff election, according to projections by The Associated Press. Lightfoot winded down her term in office, and in her only local TV interview. She was at times lauded for her handling of the pandemic but saw violent riots in the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis. In Chicago, gun violence is a long-standing issue affecting mostly Black and brown communities. In a highly-produced campaign video , Lightfoot said she's a fighter who's ready to fight for Chicago for another four years. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Mayor Lori Lightfoot kicked off her re-election campaign with a whirlwind tour around Chicago Wednesday. "Just because some might not always like my delivery, doesn't mean we're not delivering," she said. Dipping toes: Virginia Beach struck by tornado, dozens of homes damaged, At least 27 shot, 5 fatally, in Chicago weekend shootings: police, Toddler dies after being shot inside Chicago home last week: officials. We will make Chicago the safest city in America, he said. As his campaign manager predicted, Johnson appears to have claimed a large share of undecided African-American voters who were searching for an alternative to Lightfoot. Too many people have suffered under Lightfoots hands. Paul Vallas. But as Lightfoot has touted the accomplishments of her first term that she hopes to build on, her opponents have railed on her in forums and in campaign commercials. She also won in a landslide victory in all 50 wards against her opponent Cook County Commissioner Toni Preckwinkle. As for her successor, Lightfoot said it will be critical for Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson to rise above the fray and not be beholden to any special interests. Lightfootended up taking Catanzara to court, where she successfully argued that his call for officers to ignore the vaccine mandate was illegal. "I will miss the ability to have immediate impact on people's lives. For NPR News, I'm Mariah Woelfel, in Chicago. Lightfoot has made a point of noting that violence had eased by the end of last year. Last year she challenged the media to find another mayor who faced the unprecedented challenges that confronted her. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says 'it's not a gimme' she'll seek re Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. Dear Abby: Is it cheating if nothing physical ever happened? Mayoral elections in Chicago are nonpartisan. Lori Lightfoot launches reelection campaign | WBEZ Chicago 9. SEE ALSO | Mayor Lori Lightfoot presides over her final Chicago City Council meeting, When asked if anything could've changed the election's outcome, Lightfoot said, "Yeah. WOELFEL: If reelected, Lightfoot would be the first woman mayor in Chicago history to get a second term. Illinois administrative judge rules that former Chicago Mayor Lori Vallas waited until Lightfoots concession call and speech before claiming his place in the runoff. She faced stiff competition, particularly from Johnson, who had the backing and organizational benefits of the powerful Chicago Teachers Union, as well as Willie Wilson, a Black entrepreneur who had been polling ahead of Johnson. If no candidate wins a majority on Feb. 28, the two candidates who win the most votes square off in an April 4 runoff. Melvina McElroy, a 57-year-old Englewood resident, had high hopes for Lightfoot when she voted for her in the 2019 mayoral election, and even helped give people rides to the polls. But recent polls show the mayor's approval rating dropping to under 50%. And she now faces a tough reelection battle. She fought with police when she mandated they get a COVID-19 vaccine to stay on the job. The list of candidates continues to grow for the 2023 Chicago mayoral race, candidates can begin turning in their petitions. Her current term ends on May 15, 2023. The union approved an agreement in February 2021 to reopen the citys public schools to in-person learning after Lightfoot threatened to lock some educators out of remote learning software if they didnt return. All rights reserved, campaign video posted on Monday to YouTube, Election 2022: Here's Who is Running for Governor of Illinois, State Rep. Kam Buckner Jumps Into Chicago Mayoral Race, In 1-on-1 Interview, Mayor Lightfoot Defends Millennium Park Curfew, Her Office's Handling of Crime, How Much Could You Get in New $725M Facebook Settlement? We have started to change Chicago around for the better, Lightfoot said during a recent debate. Lori Lightfoot made history four years ago as the first Black woman and first openly gay person to serve as Chicago mayor. Lightfoot faced long odds and was in danger of an early re-election knockout. Vallas, 69, and Johnson, 46, will face off five weeks from now in the April 4 runoff to decide who will become the 57th mayor of Chicago. He is also the sixth candidate overall to announce a run, joining businessman Willie Wilson, State Representative Kam Buckner, former CPS CEO Paul Vallas and Frederick Collins, a veteran Chicago police officer. This is the new machine, Hopkins said, harkening back to the pre-Shakman heyday of the old Democratic machine. Lightfoot is facing eight contenders in the mayoral race. Vallas ran as a moderate law-and-order candidate, while Johnson ran on an unabashedly progressive agenda. The two sides butted heads during an 11-day teachers strike in 2019 and bickered over returning to in-school instruction during the pandemic. But, importantly, I've offered to him since that initial meeting, and in subsequent conversation, I am here to help in any way that he would like. Thats all to his advantage. Lightfoots first and only term was marred by the pandemic, civil unrest, a teachers strike, battles with the CTU over the reopening of schools and a seemingly endless strings of public arguments with City Council members and other elected officials. Voters were asked about potential runoff matchups and Lightfoot fared poorly in the scenarios that included her. In a hypothetical Vallas-Lightfoot contest, the former CPS chief led the mayor 48% to 35%. In the lead-up to Tuesdays election, polls showed that public safety was by far the top concern among Chicago residents. With five weeks to go until the runoff, both Vallas and Johnson will likely need to raise $5 million in short order while also debating each other and crisscrossing the city in a frenzied attempt to expand their political bases. Tina Sfondeles is the chief political reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times. And 71% of those polled said the city was on the wrong track with just 23% stating the city was on the right track.. This year, the teachers union has endorsed Lightfoot rival Brandon Johnson, a Cook County commissioner and former Chicago teacher and union organizer. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses City Council ally Hell get more attention because hell have started off as kind of an unknown, and hell have scaled the heights to get into the finals, and hell be treated, initially, as the story, Axelrod said. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Mayor Lori Lightfoot is going on the offensive in the campaign for mayor as the field continues to grow. Were she to lose, Lightfoot would be the first Chicago mayor in decades to run for reelection and fail. Crime has become a central issue in the race: Though homicides dipped 14% in 2022 from 2021, when the city recorded more killings than in any year of at least the previous 20, the 695 murders logged last year are still well above pre-pandemic 2019, when there were 500 murders, according to Chicago police statistics. Some of those challenges are why her supporters believe she needs another term. You know, again, I don't spend a lot of time looking in the rearview mirror," Lightfoot said. Earlier this week, she riled many in the criminal justice system with a comment. It wouldn't happen. She made history as Chicago mayor. Reelection may be harder Businessman Willie Wilson trailed closely with 12%, and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson with 11%. The future of the City Council is also up in the air. He also will get more scrutiny, and it will be a very interesting battle about the direction Chicago wants to go.. Its something to see. Teachers in the nations third-largest school district ended up going on strike for 11 days, which led to canceled classes for more than 300,000 students over a labor contract deal regarding pay raises. All rights reserved. Some in the city saw it as elitist, a way of protecting upscale parts of the highly segregated city at the expense of neighborhoods with struggling business districts that also suffered serious damage. She had already kicked up her fundraising efforts and. But Johnson lagged behind Garcia in a potential runoff, earning 37% of the vote to Garcias 47%. She says she's faced unprecedented challenges and joked she'd give this note of caution to her 2019 self. He also got the backing of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot runs for re-election next week She is over the top," Garcia said. A local county commissioner, Brandon Johnson, is chief among them. The 9-person stage drama in Chicago that wont end on Election Day (Politico), Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Faces Tough Re-Election Bid (The Wall Street Journal), As Lightfoot Tries for Second Term, Jabs Go From Friendly to Harsh (The New York Times), Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot speaks to supporters, at a campaign rally on February 25, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. PAUL VALLAS: I think the top issues, obviously are public safety, public safety, public safety. Lori Lightfoot (@LoriLightfoot) / Twitter Sophia King. This story has been corrected by deleting the reference to Atlanta as among the major cities electing a mayor in 2023 and to state that the Chicago Teachers Union backed Lightfoot's opponent in 2019. Vallas wears his opposition from the teachers union like a badge of honor. After Hurricane Katrina, Paul went to New Orleans and privatized three quarters of the citys public schools, which caused the largest decline of Black educators. Those disputes and more have inspired eight challengers, some pushing themes of unity, including a Democratic U.S. congressman from Illinois, Jesus "Chuy" Garcia. Forty years ago, Jane Byrne, the first woman to serve as mayor of Chicago, was turned into a one-termer by a defeat that paved the way for another first: the election of Chicagos first Black mayor, Washington. She frequently touts that she's one of few incumbent big-city mayors deciding to ask for another term after the pandemic. The most radical thing we can do as a city is to love the people of Chicago. The other candidates lack plans, Allen said, while she appreciates that Lightfoot is focused on crime prevention and directing dollars to help returning citizens who were incarcerated like Allen once was. Currently, six other candidates have announced their 2023 run for mayor: Illinois Rep. Kam Buckner, police officer Frederick Collins, Ald. Lightfoot became the first Chicago incumbent mayor to lose re-election for a second term since 1983. Thats why Ill never back down from fighting every day to turn your voice into action," she continued. The announcement was accompanied by a campaign video posted on Monday to YouTube. And if everyone wants to keep up, they can try to keep up," said Alderman Roderick Sawyer, a fellow candidate for mayor. WOELFEL: Lightfoot faced backlash recently after warning Black residents against splitting the vote, saying a ballot for anyone but her is like giving your vote to Vallas. Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Monday that she has not made up her mind on running for re-election at the halfway point in her term. Mayor Lori Lightfoot. After hinting for months in interviews and at public events that she plans to seek a second term in office, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Tuesday officially announced her bid to run for mayor again in 2023.