Crusader staff report
This is the final week for candidates seeking to be on the ballot for Chicago’s mayoral election on February 26, 2019.
The deadline to file is Monday, November 26. The seats up for grabs are the mayor, all 50 aldermanic wards, city treasurer and city clerk.
Candidates running for mayor, city treasurer and city clerk must obtain at least 12,500 signatures on petitions to official enter the race. Candidates for aldermen must obtain 473 signatures.
Monday, November 19, was the first day candidates filed their petitions in the Cook County basement at City Hall. Candidates who got there before 9 a.m. will be entered into a lottery that will determine which name will appear first and last on the ballot. The lottery will be held December 5.
There are 17 candidates seeking to replace incumbent Rahm Emanuel who announced on September 4 that he would not seek a third term. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Attorneys Bill Daley and Gery Chico and Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown are some of the big names in the mayoral race.
Alderman Willie Cochran (20th) said last year that he will not seek reelection, but unconfirmed reports that he will seek a fourth term have resurfaced in the past several months. So far, several candidates have unofficially entered the race to replaced Cochran. They are Chicago police officer and community activist Jennifer Maddox, Andre Smith, Kevin Bailey, Anthony Driver, Maya Hodi, Nicole J. Johnson, Denard Newell, Jeanette Taylor, Quandra Speights.
Activist William Calloway, who helped forced the release of the Laquan McDonald video, on Monday, November 12, announced that he will enter the race for 5th ward alderman, hoping to unseat five-term incumbent Leslie Hairston.
“While my activism work has been closely tied to criminal justice reform, I hope my role as Alderman will allow me to address the additional issues the residents of the 5th Ward are facing.” Calloway said in a statement.
A resident of South Shore, Calloway plans to address education inequality, food deserts, while fighting against gun violence and police brutality. He promises to lead with transparency and bring key community stakeholders together to work towards solutions that positively impact residents across the ward.
“The 5th Ward needs an Alderman who understands the struggles the community is facing and is willing to do what it takes to solve its problems. I hope to be that Alderman.”
In the 5th ward race, Calloway also faces former Hyde Park Herald Editor Gabriel Piemonte in the race for 5th ward alderman. Hairston’s dismissal of a community benefits agreement with the Obama Presidential Center and Library led Piemonte to run against the embattled incumbent.
Calloway last March, lost the Democratic primary race for Illinois State House District 25 against business Curtis Tarver II who replace longtime incumbent Barbara Flynn Currie.
