Chicago mayor's race takes form on last filing day

The race to challenge Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel crystallized Monday as a businessman, alderman and county commissioner were among the last candidates to file petitions before the deadline, setting up a lower-profile 2015 competition than once expected.

Unseating the incumbent mayor - a former White House chief of staff who's raised millions and is already running television ads - will be difficult. Still, candidates who filed for the Feb. 24 election said they believed Chicago needed a robust debate to move forward.

Alderman Bob Fioretti submitted paper stacks with roughly 55,000 signatures. He acknowledged he couldn't compete with Emanuel's fundraising, estimating he's raised just $150,000. But Fioretti said he'd run an active ground game.

"Our campaign is a people's campaign," he said. "They want a true choice on where this city is going."

Cook County Commissioner Jesus Garcia said he turned in roughly 63,000 signatures. The others who've submitted nominating petitions had far less name recognition.

Emanuel appeared more vulnerable months ago, with Chicago Teachers Union president Karen Lewis mulling a challenge and speculation that Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle would consider it.

The mayor has been largely unpopular with unions, angering them early in his term as he pushed pension changes without first discussing them. Later, teachers went on strike in 2012 and Emanuel came under fire for closing dozens of neighborhood schools to save money.

Lewis was among Emanuel's most vocal critics, but announced in October she was seriously ill and wouldn't run. Preckwinkle has said she wants to keep her current job and won re-election this month after running unopposed.

Emanuel, who's said he had to make tough decisions, filed petitions last week and has focused his re-election campaign on his efforts to improve neighborhoods.

Candidates need 12,500 signatures, though most get more because of anticipated challenges. Ballots will be certified in December.

Emanuel wouldn't say which candidates he'd challenge, but added the process has to have "legitimacy." He said facing more than half a dozen potential candidates wasn't a barometer of his leadership.

"I look at it as running for the city's future, not whether they're running against me," he said.

But other candidates and community groups have disputed that notion. Election officials said signatures were turned in for a nonbinding ballot question seeking an elected school board, but it was unclear how many. Currently, Chicago's mayor chooses the board members.

Medical supply company executive Willie Wilson said he decided to run last week and pushed for roughly 50,000 signatures with help from former state Sen. Rickey Hendon.

"The city needs changes ..." Wilson said. "The mayor has not done a good job."

Other candidates include consultant Amara Enyia, who filed Monday but declined to say how many signatures she had.

If no candidate receives more than half the votes in February, a runoff between the top two candidates will be held in April.