The council takes the $75 million — 44–6
November 2, 2026
At a special meeting, the council voted 44–6 to direct the $75 million upfront payment from the Stonepeak parking-meter deal to pension debt as an extra payment — instead of letting Johnson count it toward his planned 2027 pension payment. Johnson’s FY2027 budget had built the money in, so the vote opens a $75 million hole he now has to fill. The margin is well above the 34 votes needed to override a veto.
Johnson’s petitions could be challenged: nearly 100 photocopied pages
October 29, 2026
NBC 5 reported that Johnson’s nominating petitions could face a formal challenge: nearly 100 pages were photocopies — Chicago law requires original signatures — including five pages from City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin. The campaign conceded a few photocopies “might have slipped in” but said it has enough valid signatures to survive. Objections were due Nov 2, and the Electoral Board hears challenges before the ballot is certified Dec 17.
Filing closes: 14 candidates in the race
October 26, 2026
Fourteen candidates filed nominating petitions for the February 23, 2027 mayoral election. Johnson filed Oct 23 with about 33,000 signatures — too late for the first-day ballot-position lottery. Jessica Maronto fell short of the 12,500-signature threshold and says she will run as a write-in.
Budget hearings open on Johnson’s $17.6B “Fair Share Budget”
October 26, 2026
Departmental hearings began Oct 26 on a plan to close a projected $882.4 million gap, built on a $25-per-employee-per-month head tax on firms with 125 or more employees, $480 million in new borrowing authority for legal settlements, and hikes to the lease, liquor, sports-betting and package taxes. Hearings run through Nov 10; the council must pass a budget by Dec 31.
SEIU Locals 1 & 73 endorse Giannoulias
October 20, 2026
SEIU Locals 1 and 73 — 50,000-plus janitors, security officers, door staff, airport and school workers who backed Johnson in 2023 — endorsed Alexi Giannoulias, the race’s biggest labor defection from the incumbent.
Mansueto/NORC poll: Giannoulias 25%, Johnson ~14%
October 19, 2026
The second Mansueto Institute/NORC ChicagoSpeaks wave (mid-September, released Oct 19; n=1,108 Chicago adults) put Giannoulias at 25% among likely voters and Johnson at about 14%, with 34% undecided and no other candidate in double digits. Johnson’s approval was 22%, disapproval 53%.
Cash on hand: Giannoulias $19.15M, Johnson $379K
Q3 2026 filings
Third-quarter Illinois State Board of Elections filings showed Giannoulias with $19.15 million cash on hand against Johnson’s $379,471 — roughly 50-to-1.