As residents of Chicago's 9th Ward and the broader South Side continue to grapple with everyday realities — reliable transit, safe streets, quality schools, affordable housing, and economic opportunity — the 2027 mayoral election is already casting a long shadow. With Election Day set for February 23, 2027, the field is forming early. Incumbent Mayor Brandon Johnson faces growing dissatisfaction over city finances, public safety, and governance, opening the door for challengers. Here's a rundown of announced and rumored contenders, key issues likely to dominate, and thoughts on a potential big-name return.
Trying something a little different today. I'm offering this look at the past weekend's news using A.I. Let me know if you like this format and if you do, I will do this more often. Perhaps post more frequently with links like these.
Long time no hear, how many of you are gearing up for next year's mayoral race. We got one ready to go, our state comptroller - and former city clerk - Susanna Mendoza.
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza officially announced today she’ll be running for mayor of Chicago in next year’s election. https://t.co/OcyOwGPSFr
Below are a compilation of stories regarding safety on CTA. With the Trump administration in Washington, there have been threats to federal funds to CTA if there no real plan for safety on public transit.
In recent weeks, the first story you see in the below video was that the Cook County State's Attorney has started a task force which will include Chicago Police to address criminal issues on CTA. I like the idea of banning an offender from CTA while their case is going through the courts.
Last year from about March to December - it seems the earliest story was December 18, 2025 - I saw a lot of things going on with CTA when I was riding it regularly.
For example the Red Line has always had people engaging in panhandling and solicitation. Smoking has been an issue in recent years, it's not just cigarettes it's also weed. I would like CTA to address the smoking and the panhandling & solicitation.
The the case of panhandling and solicitation, I really don't want to hamper anyone's ability to make a living at the same time I think the Red Line is safer without this activity. Over the years, I've seen people on the train begging and of course people selling anything from the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper, to telephone cords, ID Wallets, barrettes, socks, candy, sometimes CTA passes to loose squares or loud most recently. One late night years ago on the train a man was peddling shots of liquor - small bottles of alcohol.
I hear the Blue Line is awful and just think this is the train to and from O'Hare. Any crime or issues on that line needs to be addressed for sure. And one factor in the surge of police on CTA is the woman set on fire on the Blue Line by a mentally disturbed man.
Finally I've seen that in addition to K-9 security, Chicago Police, now we have the Cook County Sheriff patrolling CTA. And there are some videos circulating on social media - especially Instagram - showing the Sheriff's Deputies don't play.
CTA is hosting meetings on the South Side to discuss what to expect when construction begins on the extension. There will be three of these meetings this month.
The image you see is the back of a sample ballot mailed to voters from the Cook County Democratic Party. The sample ballot itself shows you the slated or endorsed candidates for the county party.
As far as early voting to be able to vote in all Chicago wards that's not available until March 2, 2026. Before then you have to go to site in downtown Chicago, the voting supersite located at 137 S. State Street.
Oh wait how many of you remember the old CVS which was formerly an Osco Drug store right on the northest corner of State & Adams? No excuse if you take the CTA Red Line, just get off at Jackson and then exit the station on Adams Street.
However, if you want to do early voting closer to home in the 9th Ward, then on March 2, 2026 you can go to Palmer Park as you see above at 201 E. 111th Street. If nothing else you can take the 111 CTA Bus there. Presumably any of these sample ballots will have the nearest early voting site to you printed on it depending upon your address.
Of course what I would suggest is checking the ChicagoElection.gov site to check for other early voting locations throughout the city. Especially once that becomes available in all Chicago wards for 2026.
Bear in mind the meeting coming up this month on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 which features the Chicago Water Department. All meetings held at the Pullman Presbyterian Church located at 550 E. 103rd Street.
The year's schedule for all community meetings are below.
Nothing particularly new this time, just these mailers from candidate Aja Kearney. Remember I shared a mailer from another candidate last year for one Cleopatra Cowley. Both are running to succeed state Rep. Nick Smith who's retiring in 2027.
The primary election first and foremost is coming March 17, 2026. I need to find out about early voting.
This first mailer is more introductory for those who want to know her background. She wants us to know she's a union member and a small business owner.
First and foremost, Happy New Year. I mark this almost one month in 2026 and allow me to share this history video regarding the Roseland neighborhood.
[VIDEO] We see a history lesson in this video highlighting Roseland's history as a settlement for Dutch immigrants and even as a station on the Underground Railroad. Never heard of that in your history class well here's a link learn about it.
And then the current story and what led up to it. The loss of manufacturing jobs in this part of the city led to disinvestment in Roseland. However, would the future look up with that Red Line extension being built in the next decade or so?
I'd like to see an updated Roseland history video discussing the Red Line extension.
I'm sorry to say I missed the meeting with regards to Shedd School, however, upon Googling found that this was hosted by CPS and found this recent update. Shedd is among three other closed schools where there were bids and plans for these properties.
Elected school board member Carlos Rivas said Wednesday he was Preston’s college counselor in the 2015-16 school year when he worked at Noble’s UIC College Prep.
“She was such a determined young lady and graduated from Illinois State in three and a half years because of her determination,” Rivas said. “She had such a bright life ahead of her, and she did so much for her community.”
“I am so incredibly proud that we’re going to be honoring her and using this building in this way for the Peace for Preston Foundation,” Rivas added.
There was some interest in the old Shedd school in 2017 from a private Christian school and another buyer, but neither bid had the backing of the local alderperson, according to South Side Weekly.
The board resolution says Peace for Preston wants to offer youth recreational programming, educational programming, youth mentoring and counseling, mental health support, job readiness and vocational training, wellness programs, and access to health care support, as well as GED and financial literacy courses.
Check out this list of closed schools that are up for bid. Perhaps you have a solid plan for these properties.
