The filing period for the February 23, 2027, Chicago municipal election closed on October 26, and the 9th Ward seat is now contested.
According to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners’ Candidate Filing Report, three people submitted nominating papers to run for alderperson of the 9th Ward:
- Anthony A. Beale (incumbent) — Filed October 19. Beale has represented the ward since 1999 and won re-election in 2023 with roughly 60% of the vote.
Online: ward09.com · Facebook · Instagram @AldBeale - Cecelia Z. Harrison — Filed on the final day, October 26. A campaign committee, Friends of Cecelia Harrison, was registered earlier this summer.
Online: Campaign site — https://cecelia-harrison-ward-9.ceceliazharrison.chatgpt.site/ - Kenny Williams — Also filed on October 26. Williams has previously sought office in the area, including a Democratic primary run for Illinois State Senate District 14 earlier this year.
Online: Previous campaign site — people4kenny.com
Candidates needed at least 473 valid signatures from registered voters in the ward. Beale submitted a substantial number of signature lines. The other two candidates filed on the last day of the window.
The objection period runs through November 2, 2026. During that time, anyone can challenge a candidate’s petitions (for example, over signature validity). The Board will later certify the final ballot, with a deadline around mid-December. Write-in candidates can still file later under certain conditions.
No other candidates filed for the 9th Ward, and there are no confirmed reports of additional people actively circulating petitions or preparing a late entry at this point. The field is currently limited to the three who turned in papers by the October 26 deadline.
The 9th Ward includes Roseland, West Pullman, Riverdale, Pullman, and parts of Washington Heights. Election Day is February 23, 2027. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, a runoff will be held on April 6.
We’ll update this post as the objection process plays out and more details emerge about the candidates’ platforms and campaigns. For official information, check the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners site (chicagoelections.gov).
