Quigley confirms he’ll run for Chicago mayor in 2027
After much speculation, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley on Tuesday confirmed he’ll run for mayor of Chicago in 2027.
Quigley revealed his political plans at the end of an interview on WGN 720-AM. Responding to a direct question from the radio host John Williams, Quigley said he’ll run but won’t make a formal announcement until after the March 17 primary election for his 5th Congressional District seat.
Quigley is seeking reelection to Congress, a job he’s had since 2009.
“What I’m trying to do is show proper respect for the March 17 primary. That’s really important,” Quigley told Williams. “So I don’t want the voters to get too far ahead of ourselves.”
The 5th District includes parts of suburban Cook and Lake counties as well as a portion of Chicago’s North Side. Quigley lives in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood.
Chicago voters will choose their next mayor in February 2027.
Talk about a possible Quigley mayoral bid grew in recent weeks after the Daily Herald reported the Friends of Mike Quigley political committee, which is focused explicitly on electing Quigley mayor, has collected tens of thousands of dollars in campaign donations since forming in August.
More cash has come in since the story was published, including $34,100 in donations of $1,000 or more since the new year began.
Under Illinois law, candidates must report receiving donations of $1,000 or more within five business days. Smaller donations are tallied in quarterly reports, the next of which are due this month.
Quigley, who was a Cook County commissioner before joining Congress, has considered running for mayor several times but never committed to it.
He will face four opponents in the Democratic primary for the 5th District seat. Three Republicans are running in their own primary, too.
As for the mayor’s race, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and entrepreneur Joe Holberg have announced plans to run in 2027. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and Comptroller Susana Mendoza are considered potential challengers, too.
Incumbent Mayor Brandon Johnson hasn’t said if he’ll seek a second term.