Municipal elections in Chicago, Illinois (2015)

Chicago, Illinois municipal elections, 2015

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List of candidates MayorCity Council: Ward 1 • Ward 2 • Ward 3 • Ward 4 • Ward 5 • Ward 6 • Ward 7 • Ward 8 • Ward 9 • Ward 10 • Ward 11 • Ward 12 • Ward 13 • Ward 14 • Ward 15 • Ward 16 • Ward 17 • Ward 18 • Ward 19 • Ward 20 • Ward 21 • Ward 22 • Ward 23 • Ward 24 • Ward 25 • Ward 26 • Ward 27 • Ward 28 • Ward 29 • Ward 30 • Ward 31 • Ward 32 • Ward 33 • Ward 34 • Ward 35 • Ward 36 • Ward 37 • Ward 38 • Ward 39 • Ward 40 • Ward 41 • Ward 42 • Ward 43 • Ward 44 • Ward 45 • Ward 46 • Ward 47 • Ward 48 • Ward 49 • Ward 50

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Major Issues

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2015 Municipal Elections

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Chicago, Illinois

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Advisory questions

The city of Chicago, Illinois, held nonpartisan elections for mayor and city council on February 24, 2015. A runoff election for races in which no candidate received a majority of the votes took place on April 7, 2015. The filing deadline for candidates who wished to run in this election was November 24, 2014. All 50 city council seats were up for election.[1]

On February 24, 184 candidates vied for the 50 city council seats up for election. Forty-three of the 50 city council incumbents ran for re-election. Seven of those incumbents ran completely unopposed. In the seven seats where incumbents did not run, there was an average of six candidates that ran in each of those races.

17 council races and the mayoral race advanced to the runoff election on April 7, 2015.

Incumbent Mayor Rahm Emanuel stood behind a red light camera system called into question by the Chicago Tribune while his primary challengers called for its removal. Education was another point of disagreement; clashing on issues such as charter schools and an elected school board. Challengers also argued for the hiring of more police, while Emanuel said it should not come as an additional cost to taxpayers. Following the general election in February, the city's debt-rating and questions about the future of a Barack Obama Presidential Library entered into the mix. You can see more information on issues surrounding the 2015 Chicago election here.

To go directly to the list of city council candidates, click here.

## Mayor[edit]

For an overview of the major issues that shaped this election click here.

### Candidate list[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Rahm Emanuel a \- Incumbent Emanuel was first elected in 2011.
* Willie Wilson
* Robert W. "Bob" Fioretti
* Jesus "Chuy" Garcia a
* William "Dock" Walls, III

Note: Amara Enyia, Frederick Collins and Gerald Sconyers withdrew from the race.[2] Fenton C. Patterson and Robert Shaw (Illinois) were removed from the ballot.[3][4]

April 7 Runoff election candidates:

* Rahm Emanuel
* Jesus "Chuy" Garcia

### Election results[edit]

Mayor of Chicago, Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Rahm Emanuel Incumbent | 56.2% | 332,171
Jesus "Chuy" Garcia | 43.8% | 258,562
Total Votes | 590,733
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 9, 2015

Mayor of Chicago, General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Rahm Emanuel Incumbent | 45.6% | 218,217
Jesus "Chuy" Garcia | 33.5% | 160,414
Willie Wilson | 10.7% | 50,960
Robert W. "Bob" Fioretti | 7.4% | 35,363
William "Dock" Walls, III | 2.8% | 13,250
Total Votes | 478,204
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015

The map below shows results for the 2015 general and runoff elections by precinct as well as vote total differences between the two elections. As of 2013, Chicago had 2,069 precincts. The number of precincts within each of the city's 50 wards ranged from 23 precincts in the 12th Ward to 57 in the 19th Ward.[5]

### Polling[edit]

#### Runoff polling[edit]

2015 Chicago Mayoral Election

Poll | Rahm Emanuel* | Jesus "Chuy" Garcia| Undecided| Margin of error| Sample size
Ogden & Fry
(March 28, 2015)
| 47.6%| 34.2%| 18.3%| +/-3.3| 904
Ogden & Fry
(March 21, 2015)
| 48.5%| 32.1%| 18.4%| +/-3.2| 951
We Ask America
(March 18, 2015)
| 51%| 36%| 12%| +/-3| 1,374
Ogden & Fry
(March 14, 2015)
| 47.1%| 36.7%| 16.2%| +/-3.23| 957
Chicago Tribune
(March 6-11, 2015)
| 51%| 37%| 11%| +/-3.7| 712
Ogden & Fry
(February 28, 2015)
| 42.7%| 38.7%| 18.6%| +/-3.1| 979
Global Strategy Group
(February 25, 2015)
| 50.4%| 39.8%| 9.8%| +/-1.9| 2,659
Ogden & Fry
(February 25, 2015)
| 42.9%| 38.5%| 18.6%| +/-3.2| 1,058
AVERAGES|  47.65%|  36.63%|  15.36%|  +/-3.08|  1,199.25
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Note: An asterisk (*) is used to denote incumbency.

#### General election polling[edit]

Click [show] to view the statistics from polls prior to the general election.

2015 Chicago Mayoral Election

Poll | Rahm Emanuel* | Jesus "Chuy" Garcia| Bob Fioretti| Other| Undecided| Margin of error| Sample size
Chicago Tribune
(February 11-15, 2015)
| 45%| 20%| 7%| 9%| 18%| +/-3.7| 709
Chicago Tribune
(January 22-27, 2015)
| 42%| 18%| 10%| 9%| 20%| +/-3.7| 708
Ogden & Fry
(January 24, 2015)
| 39.5%| 18%| 7.5%| 12.9%| 22.2%| +/-3.24| 950
Lake Research Partners
(January 15-19, 2015)
| 38%| 16%| 8%| 6%| 30%| +/-4| 600
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research
(January 3-6, 2015)
| 50%| 22%| 10%| 9%| 9%| +/-4| 600
David Binder Research
(November 23-25, 2014)
| 44%| 16%| 15%| 7%| 18%| +/-3.5| 800
AVERAGES|  43.08%|  18.33%|  9.58%|  8.82%|  19.53%|  +/-3.69|  727.83
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Note: An asterisk (*) is used to denote incumbency.

#### Prospective polling[edit]

Click [show] to view the statistics from polls with prospective candidates.

2015 Chicago Mayoral Election

Poll | Rahm Emanuel* | Karen Lewis| Bob Fioretti| Qualified Republican| Undecided| Margin of error| Sample size
Ogden & Fry
(August 9, 2014)
| 33.9%| 20.6%| 0%| 14.3%| 31.3%| +/-2.9| 1,152
Chicago Tribune
(August 6-19, 2014)
| 43%| 0%| 26%| 0%| 0%| +/-3.5| 800
Chicago Tribune
(August 6-19, 2014)
| 39%| 43%| 0%| 0%| 0%| +/-3.5| 800
AVERAGES|  38.63%|  21.2%|  8.67%|  4.77%|  10.43%|  +/-3.3|  917.33
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Note: An asterisk (*) is used to denote incumbency. Due to the nature of the comparison, a placeholder figure of 0% is assigned to candidates not included in any given match-up round

## City council[edit]

If you are unsure of the ward in which you live, use the Chicago Tribune's ward map here.

### Candidate list[edit]

#### Ward 1[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Proco "Joe" Moreno \- Incumbent Moreno was appointed to the council in 2010.
* Anne Shaw
* Andrew Hamilton
* Ronda Locke

Note: Mia Lena Lopez was removed from the ballot in December 2014.

#### Ward 2[edit]

Note: Incumbent Robert Fioretti did not run for re-election. He instead ran for mayor.

February 24 General election candidates:

* Brian Hopkins a
* Bita Buenrostro
* Cornell Wilson
* Stephen Niketopoulos
* Alyx S. Pattison a
* Stacey Pfingsten

April 7 Runoff election candidates:

* Brian Hopkins
* Alyx S. Pattison

#### Ward 3[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Patricia Horton
* Pat Dowell \- Incumbent Dowell was elected in 2007.

Note: Clarence Desmond Clemons was removed from the ballot in December 2014.

#### Ward 4[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Tracey Y. Bey
* William D. "Will" Burns \- Incumbent Burns was elected in 2011.
* Norman H. Bolden

Note: Jeffrey Booker was removed from the ballot in December 2014.

#### Ward 5[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Leslie A. Hairston \- Incumbent Hairston was elected in 1999.
* Tiffany N. Brooks
* Jocelyn Hare
* Robin Boyd Clark
* Anne Marie Miles
* Jedidiah L. Brown

Note: Loretta Lomax was removed from the ballot in December 2014.

#### Ward 6[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Roderick T. Sawyer \- Incumbent Sawyer was elected in 2011.
* Richard A. Wooten
* Brian T. Garner

Note: Dumars Ervin Franklin withdrew from the race in December 2014. Delton Jerry Pierce was removed from the ballot in January 2015.

#### Ward 7[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Gregory I. Mitchell a
* Flora "Flo" Digby
* Lashonda "Shonnie" Curry
* Joseph J. Moseley, Ii
* Keiana Barrett
* Natashia L. Holmes a \- Incumbent Holmes was appointed to the council in 2013.
* Bernie Riley
* Margie Reid

Note: Jesse L. Harley, Stephanie Roddy, Vincent Rose, Queen Whitlock, Chevette Valentine and L. Elizabeth "Jacquie" Lewis were removed from the ballot. Sidney H. Brooks Iii and Frances Pratt withdrew from the race.

April 7 Runoff election candidates:

* Gregory I. Mitchell
* Natashia L. Holmes

#### Ward 8[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Michelle A. Harris \- Incumbent Harris was elected in 2006.
* Faheem Shabazz
* Tara F. Baldridge

Note: Rebecca A. Sankey and Lynn Renee Franco were removed from the ballot in December 2014.

#### Ward 9[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Michael E. Lafargue
* Anthony A. Beale \- Incumbent Beale was elected in 1999.
* Harold "Noonie" Ward
* Theodore "Ted" Williams

Note: Curtiss Llong Bey, Marcia Brown and Agin Muhammad II were removed from the ballot in December 2014.

2016 →

<- 2014

2015 Elections for Mayors and City Councils

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Municipal Elections
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#### Ward 10[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Susan Sadlowski Garza a
* Richard L. Martinez, Jr.
* John A. Pope a \- Incumbent Pope was elected in 1999.
* Frank J. Corona
* Samantha M. Webb
* Olga Bautista
* Juan B. Huizar

April 7 Runoff election candidates:

* Susan Sadlowski Garza
* John A. Pope

#### Ward 11[edit]

Note: Incumbent James A. Balcer did not run for re-election.
February 24 General election candidates:

* Patrick Daley Thompson a
* John K. Kozlar a
* Maureen F. Sullivan

April 7 Runoff election candidates:

* Patrick Daley Thompson
* John K. Kozlar

#### Ward 12[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* George Cardenas \- Incumbent Cardenas was elected in 2003.

Note: Peter John Demay was removed from the ballot in January 2015.

#### Ward 13[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Marty Quinn \- Incumbent Quinn was elected in 2011.

#### Ward 14[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Edward M. Burke \- Incumbent Burke was elected in 1969.

#### Ward 15[edit]

Note: Incumbent Toni Foulkes did not run for re-election in Ward 15 due to redistricting; she won election to the Ward 16 seat.
February 24 General election candidates:

* Raymond A. Lopez a
* Adolfo Mondragon
* Rafael Yañez a
* Eddie L. Daniels
* Raul O. Reyes
* Otis Davis, Jr.

Note: Raul Ventura and Sandra L. Mallory were removed from the ballot in December 2014. Alberto Bocanegra was removed from the ballot in January 2015.

April 7 Runoff election candidates:

* Raymond A. Lopez
* Rafael Yañez

#### Ward 16[edit]

Note: Incumbent JoAnn Thompson passed away on February 9, 2015.[6] The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners removed her name from the ballot the following week.[7]
February 24 General election candidates:

* Cynthia Lomax
* Toni Foulkes a\- Ward 15 incumbent Foulkes was first elected in 2007.
* Jose A. Garcia
* Stephanie Coleman a

Note: Guadalupe Rivera (Illinois) and Jeffrey L. Lewis were removed from the ballot in January 2015.

April 7 Runoff election candidates:

* Toni Foulkes
* Stephanie Coleman

#### Ward 17[edit]

Note: Incumbent Latasha R. Thomas did not run for re-election.
February 24 General election candidates:

* Glenda Franklin
* David Moore
* James E. Dukes

#### Ward 18[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Lona Lane a\- Incumbent Lane was appointed to the council in 2006.
* Michael A. Davis
* Derrick G. Curtis a
* Chuks Onyezia
* Consandra Harris
* Brandon Loggins

Note: Howard Lindsey and Shaakira Ali were removed from the ballot in January 2015.

April 7 Runoff election candidates:

* Lona Lane
* Derrick G. Curtis

#### Ward 19[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Anne Schaible
* Matthew J. O'Shea \- Incumbent O'Shea was elected in 2011.

#### Ward 20[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Willie Ray, Jr.
* Andre Smith
* Willie B. Cochran a\- Incumbent Cochran was elected in 2007.
* Kevin Bailey a
* Ernest Radcliffe, Jr.

Note: Jerome A. Davis and Ronnie D. Nelson were removed from the ballot in December 2014.

April 7 Runoff election candidates:

* Willie B. Cochran
* Kevin Bailey

#### Ward 21[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Joseph C. Ziegler, Jr.
* Jeffrey Baker
* Howard B. Brookins, Jr. a \- Incumbent Brookins was elected in 2003.
* Marvin Mcneil a
* Doris Lewis Brooks
* Patricia A. Foster
* Ken Lewis

Note: C.M. Winters was removed from the ballot in January 2015.

April 7 Runoff election candidates:

* Howard B. Brookins, Jr.
* Marvin Mcneil

#### Ward 22[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Raul Montes, Jr.
* Ricardo Muñoz \- Incumbent Muñoz was appointed to the council in 1993.
* Neftalie Gonzalez
* Robert Martinez

Note: Alex Velazquez was removed from the ballot in December 2014.

#### Ward 23[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Martin Arteaga
* Michael R. Zalewski \- Incumbent Zalewski was elected in 1995.
* Anna Goral

Note: Paulino R. Villarreal, Jr. was removed from the ballot in December 2014. Charles M. Hughes was removed from the ballot in January 2015.

#### Ward 24[edit]

Note: Incumbent Michael Chandler did not run for re-election.
February 24 General election candidates:

* Frank M. Bass
* Regina D. Lewis
* Wallace E. "Mickey" Johnson
* Sherita Ann Harris
* Roger L. Washington
* Vetress Boyce a
* Ladarius R. Curtis
* Michael Scott, Jr. a
* Larry G. Nelson
* Darren Tillis

Note: Denarvis Mendenhall was removed from the ballot in December 2014. Marcus D. Thorne and Vernell L. Hollis-Swanigan withdrew from the race.

April 7 Runoff election candidates:

* Vetress Boyce
* Michael Scott, Jr.

#### Ward 25[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Daniel "Danny" Solis \- Incumbent Solis was appointed to the council in 1996.
* Ed Hershey
* Jorge Mujica
* Roberto "Beto" Montano
* Byron Sigcho

Note: Troy Hernandez withdrew from the race in December 2014.

#### Ward 26[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Adam Corona
* Juanita Irizarry
* Roberto Maldonado \- Incumbent Maldonado was appointed to the council in 2009.

#### Ward 27[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Walter Burnett, Jr. \- Incumbent Burnett was elected in 1995.
* Gabe Beukinga

#### Ward 28[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Jason C. Ervin \- Incumbent Ervin was appointed to the council in 2011.

Note: Elliot Thomas, Alex M. Lyons, Willie Mcgill and William Siegmund were removed from the ballot in December 2014. Jasmine Jackson and Tammie Vinson were removed from the ballot in January 2015. Marseil Jackson withdrew from the race.

#### Ward 29[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* LaCoulton J. Walls
* Deborah L. Grahama \- Incumbent Graham was appointed to the council in 2010.
* Bob Galhotra
* Lawrence Andolino
* Chris Taliaferroa
* Zerlina A. Smith
* Oddis "O.J" Johnson
* Stephen Robinson (Illinois)

Note: Deborah D. Williams, Brenda Smith (Illinois) and Maurice J. Robinson withdrew from the race in December 2014. Lisa Jackson was removed from the ballot in January 2015.

April 7 Runoff election candidates:

* Deborah L. Graham
* Chris Taliaferro

#### Ward 30[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Ariel E. Reboyras \- Incumbent Reboyras was elected in 2003.

Note: Edgar Esparza and Walter Zarnecki were removed from the ballot in December 2014.

#### Ward 31[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Regner "Ray" Suarez a \- Incumbent Suarez was elected in 1991.
* Sean C. Starr
* Milagros "Milly" Santiago a
* Irma Cornier

Note: Renne "Tex" Chavez was removed from the ballot in December 2014.

April 7 Runoff election candidates:

* Regner "Ray" Suarez
* Milagros "Milly" Santiago

#### Ward 32[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Scott Waguespack \- Incumbent Waguespack was elected in 2007.
* Elise Doody-Jones

#### Ward 33[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Annisa Wanat
* Deborah L. Mell \- Incumbent Mell was appointed to the council in 2013.
* Tim Meegan

Note: Tyler Solorio was removed from the ballot in December 2014.

#### Ward 34[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Carrie M. Austin \- Incumbent Austin was appointed to the council in 1994.
* Henry Moses
* Shirley J. White
* Charles R. Thomas Sr.

#### Ward 35[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Rey Colón \- Incumbent Colón was elected in 2003.
* Carlos Ramirez-Rosa

Note: Walter Zarnecki was removed from the ballot in December 2014.

#### Ward 36[edit]

Note: Incumbent Nicholas Sposato did not run for re-election.
February 24 General election candidates:

* Omar Aquino a
* Gilbert Villegas a
* Christopher M. Vittorio
* Alonso Zaragoza

Note: Joaquin Vazguez was removed from the ballot in December 2014.

April 7 Runoff election candidates:

* Omar Aquino
* Gilbert Villegas

#### Ward 37[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Emma M. Mitts a \- Incumbent Mitts was appointed to the council in 2000.
* Leroy Duncan
* Maretta Brown-Miller
* Tara Stamps a

Note: Otis Percy was removed from the ballot in December 2014.

April 7 Runoff election candidates:

* Emma M. Mitts
* Tara Stamps

#### Ward 38[edit]

Note: Incumbent Timothy M. Cullerton did not run for re-election.
February 24 General election candidates:

* Jerry Paszek
* Nicholas Sposato
* Tom Caravette
* Heather Sattler
* Michael C. Duda
* Carmen Hernandez
* Belinda Cadiz

Note: John J. Cianci and Mike Keeney were removed from the ballot in December 2014.

#### Ward 39[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Margaret Laurino \- Incumbent Laurino was elected in 1995.
* Robert Murphy
* Joseph "Joe" Laiacona

Note: Mary K. Hunter was removed from the ballot in December 2014.

#### Ward 40[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Patrick J. O'Connor \- Incumbent O'Connor was elected in 1983.
* Dianne Daleiden

#### Ward 41[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Anthony V. Napolitanoa
* Mary O’Connora \- Incumbent O'Connor was elected in 2011.
* Joe Lomanto

April 7 Runoff election candidates:

* Mary O’Connor
* Anthony V. Napolitano

#### Ward 42[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Brendan Reilly \- Incumbent Reilly was elected in 2007.

#### Ward 43[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Jennifer "Jen" Kramer
* Michele Smith a \- Incumbent Smith was elected in 2011.
* Caroline Vickrey a
* Jerry Quandt

Note: Steven McClellan was removed from the ballot in December 2014. Andrew "Andy" Challenger withdrew from the race.

April 7 Runoff election candidates:

* Michele Smith
* Caroline Vickrey

#### Ward 44[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Tom Tunney \- Incumbent Tunney was elected in 2003.
* Mark Thomas
* Scott Davis

Note: Robin Cook withdrew from the race.

#### Ward 45[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* John Garrido a
* John S. Arena a\- Incumbent Arena was elected in 2011.
* Michelle R. Baert
* Michael S. Diaz

April 7 Runoff election candidates:

* John Garrido
* John S. Arena

#### Ward 46[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* James Cappleman a\- Incumbent Cappleman was elected in 2011.
* Amy Crawford a
* Denice L. Davis

April 7 Runoff election candidates:

* James Cappleman
* Amy Crawford

#### Ward 47[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Ameya Pawar \- Incumbent Pawar was elected in 2011.
* Rory A. Fiedler

#### Ward 48[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Harry Osterman \- Incumbent Osterman was elected in 2011.

#### Ward 49[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Joe Moore \- Incumbent Moore was elected in 1991.
* Don Gordon

Note: Connie Gates-Brown, John Beacham, Grady A. Humphrey and Nathan Benjamin Myers were removed from the ballot in December 2014.

#### Ward 50[edit]

February 24 General election candidates:

* Debra L. Silverstein \- Incumbent Silverstein was elected in 2011.
* Shajan M. Kuriakose
* Zehra Quadri

Note: Hilaire Fuji Shioura and Peter George Sifnotis were removed from the ballot.

### Election results[edit]

# General Election Wards 1-25[edit]

Chicago City Council, Ward 1 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Joe Moreno Incumbent | 51.1% | 4,205
Anne Shaw | 24.7% | 2,037
Ronda Locke | 20.4% | 1,680
Andrew Hamilton | 3.8% | 310
Total Votes | 8,232
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 2 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Brian Hopkins | 29% | 2,889
Alyx S. Pattison | 24.1% | 2,404
Bita Buenrostro | 14.2% | 1,411
Stephen Niketopoulos | 12.4% | 1,232
Stacey Pfingsten | 11.7% | 1,170
Cornell Wilson | 8.7% | 863
Total Votes | 9,106
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 3 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Pat Dowell Incumbent | 72.9% | 7,441
Patricia Horton | 27.1% | 2,768
Total Votes | 10,209
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 4 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
William D. Burns Incumbent | 55.6% | 6,353
Tracey Y. Bey | 25% | 2,862
Norman H. Bolden | 19.4% | 2,214
Total Votes | 11,429
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 5 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Leslie A. Hairston Incumbent | 52.5% | 5,851
Anne Marie Miles | 19.6% | 2,181
Tiffany N. Brooks | 8% | 891
Jocelyn Hare | 7.4% | 821
Jedidiah L. Brown | 7.1% | 792
Robin Boyd Clark | 5.4% | 599
Total Votes | 10,536
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 6 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Roderick Sawyer Incumbent | 56.2% | 5,990
Richard A. Wooten | 26.3% | 2,800
Brian T. Garner | 17.5% | 1,869
Total Votes | 10,659
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 7 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Natashia L. Holmes Incumbent | 25.5% | 2,642
Gregory I. Mitchell | 20.1% | 2,085
Keiana Barrett | 18.5% | 1,923
Lashonda "Shonnie" Curry | 12.8% | 1,333
Flora "Flo" Digby | 11% | 1,143
Joseph J. Moseley, Ii | 7.3% | 761
Margie Reid | 3.5% | 362
Bernie Riley | 1.2% | 125
Total Votes | 9,126
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 8 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Michelle A. Harris Incumbent | 68.5% | 9,167
Faheem Shabazz | 15.8% | 2,113
Tara F. Baldridge | 15.7% | 2,096
Total Votes | 13,376
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 9 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Anthony Beale Incumbent | 62.4% | 7,307
Michael E. Lafargue | 15.6% | 1,822
Theodore "Ted" Williams | 11.5% | 1,352
Harold "Noonie" Ward | 10.5% | 1,225
Total Votes | 11,706
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 10 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
John A. Pope Incumbent | 44% | 4,181
Susan Sadlowski Garza | 24.1% | 2,287
Richard L. Martinez, Jr. | 12.5% | 1,191
Juan B. Huizar | 8.5% | 809
Samantha M. Webb | 5.4% | 510
Frank J. Corona | 3.2% | 307
Olga Bautista | 2.2% | 208
Total Votes | 8,978
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 11 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Patrick Daley Thompson | 48.4% | 4,644
John K. Kozlar | 35.4% | 3,399
Maureen F. Sullivan | 16.2% | 1,558
Total Votes | 9,601
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 15 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Raymond A. Lopez | 47.6% | 2,168
Rafael Yañez | 22.1% | 1,007
Otis Davis, Jr. | 10.2% | 462
Raul O. Reyes | 7.1% | 324
Eddie L. Daniels | 6.8% | 309
Adolfo Mondragon | 6.2% | 280
Total Votes | 4,270
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 16 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Toni Foulkes Incumbent | 43.9% | 2,571
Stephanie Coleman | 35.8% | 2,096
Jose A. Garcia | 14.2% | 830
Cynthia Lomax | 6.1% | 357
Total Votes | 5,854
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 17 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
David Moore | 52.9% | 4,467
Glenda Franklin | 36.3% | 3,064
James E. Dukes | 10.8% | 909
Total Votes | 8,440
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 18 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Derrick G. Curtis | 30.3% | 3,663
Lona Lane Incumbent | 29.9% | 3,625
Chuks Onyezia | 17.7% | 2,139
Michael A. Davis | 16.7% | 2,021
Consandra Harris | 2.9% | 351
Brandon Loggins | 2.6% | 310
Total Votes | 11,799
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 19 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Matthew O'Shea Incumbent | 72.6% | 13,088
Anne Schaible | 27.4% | 4,944
Total Votes | 18,032
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 20 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Willie B. Cochran Incumbent | 47.6% | 3,149
Kevin Bailey | 20.6% | 1,365
Andre Smith | 15.7% | 1,038
Willie Ray, Jr. | 10.2% | 672
Ernest Radcliffe, Jr. | 5.9% | 390
Total Votes | 6,614
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 21 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Howard B. Brookins Incumbent | 41.6% | 5,454
Marvin Mcneil | 14% | 1,838
Doris Lewis Brooks | 11.7% | 1,529
Joseph C. Ziegler, Jr. | 10.5% | 1,376
Patricia A. Foster | 10.4% | 1,365
Ken Lewis | 6.6% | 862
Jeffrey Baker | 5.3% | 695
Total Votes | 11,562
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 22 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Ricardo Muñoz Incumbent | 57.6% | 2,928
Raul Montes, Jr. | 17.5% | 887
Neftalie Gonzalez | 13.2% | 669
Robert Martinez | 11.7% | 595
Total Votes | 5,079
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 23 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Michael R. Zalewski Incumbent | 67% | 6,434
Martin Arteaga | 18.7% | 1,796
Anna Goral | 14.3% | 1,376
Total Votes | 9,606
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 24 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Michael Scott, Jr. | 31.2% | 2,200
Vetress Boyce | 16.3% | 1,151
Darren Tillis | 14.4% | 1,016
Frank M. Bass | 11% | 772
Regina D. Lewis | 8.2% | 575
Wallace E. "Mickey" Johnson | 6.9% | 483
Sherita Ann Harris | 5.4% | 382
Ladarius R. Curtis | 2.8% | 199
Roger L. Washington | 2% | 140
Larry G. Nelson | 1.8% | 129
Total Votes | 5,714
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 25 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Daniel Solis Incumbent | 51.1% | 3,811
Byron Sigcho | 18.5% | 1,383
Jorge Mujica | 12.2% | 907
Roberto "Beto" Montano | 10% | 748
Ed Hershey | 8.2% | 614
Total Votes | 7,463
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015

# General Election Wards 26-50[edit]

Chicago City Council, Ward 26 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Roberto Maldonado Incumbent | 52.3% | 3,466
Juanita Irizarry | 33.9% | 2,248
Adam Corona | 13.9% | 919
Total Votes | 6,633
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 27 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Walter Burnett, Jr. Incumbent | 74.1% | 6,284
Gabe Beukinga | 25.9% | 2,201
Total Votes | 8,485
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 29 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Deborah L. Graham Incumbent | 40.6% | 4,395
Chris Taliaferro | 22.5% | 2,435
Lawrence Andolino | 14.3% | 1,549
Bob Galhotra | 6.7% | 722
Zerlina A. Smith | 4.7% | 505
LaCoulton J. Walls | 4.5% | 486
Oddis "O.J" Johnson | 3.6% | 389
Stephen Robinson | 3.2% | 346
Total Votes | 9,606
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 31 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Ray Suarez Incumbent | 48% | 2,778
Milagros "Milly" Santiago | 37.1% | 2,146
Sean C. Starr | 9.8% | 568
Irma Cornier | 5.1% | 293
Total Votes | 5,785
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 32 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Scott Waguespack Incumbent | 79% | 6,425
Elise Doody-Jones | 21% | 1,713
Total Votes | 8,138
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 33 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Deb Mell Incumbent | 50.2% | 4,103
Tim Meegan | 34% | 2,779
Annisa Wanat | 15.8% | 1,289
Total Votes | 8,171
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 34 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Carrie Austin Incumbent | 61.2% | 7,610
Shirley J. White | 21.3% | 2,651
Henry Moses | 11.3% | 1,400
Charles R. Thomas Sr. | 6.2% | 769
Total Votes | 12,430
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 35 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Carlos Ramirez-Rosa | 67.3% | 4,082
Rey Colon Incumbent | 32.7% | 1,987
Total Votes | 6,069
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 36 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Omar Aquino | 35.6% | 2,124
Gilbert Villegas | 32.6% | 1,945
Christopher M. Vittorio | 24.1% | 1,437
Alonso Zaragoza | 7.7% | 458
Total Votes | 5,964
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 37 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Emma Mitts Incumbent | 49.1% | 4,033
Tara Stamps | 32.1% | 2,640
Maretta Brown-Miller | 13% | 1,071
Leroy Duncan | 5.7% | 472
Total Votes | 8,216
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 38 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Nicholas Sposato | 53.6% | 5,992
Heather Sattler | 16.2% | 1,809
Jerry Paszek | 10.8% | 1,205
Michael C. Duda | 6.8% | 763
Tom Caravette | 5.9% | 662
Carmen Hernandez | 4.1% | 462
Belinda Cadiz | 2.6% | 290
Total Votes | 10,431
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 39 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Margaret Laurino Incumbent | 53.2% | 5,981
Robert Murphy | 42.8% | 4,815
Joseph "Joe" Laiacona | 4% | 446
Total Votes | 11,242
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 40 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Patrick J. O'Connor Incumbent | 58.4% | 5,601
Dianne Daleiden | 41.6% | 3,989
Total Votes | 9,590
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 41 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Mary O’Connor Incumbent | 47.7% | 7,132
Anthony V. Napolitano | 42.5% | 6,353
Joe Lomanto | 9.8% | 1,459
Total Votes | 14,944
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 43 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Michele Smith Incumbent | 41.8% | 4,309
Caroline Vickrey | 35.7% | 3,682
Jennifer "Jen" Kramer | 16.6% | 1,707
Jerry Quandt | 5.9% | 608
Total Votes | 10,306
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 44 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Thomas M. Tunney Incumbent | 67.1% | 6,126
Mark Thomas | 23.6% | 2,153
Scott Davis | 9.4% | 854
Total Votes | 9,133
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 45 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
John Arena Incumbent | 45.5% | 5,914
John Garrido | 39.7% | 5,164
Michelle R. Baert | 13.3% | 1,726
Michael S. Diaz | 1.6% | 204
Total Votes | 13,008
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 46 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
James Cappleman Incumbent | 46.9% | 4,800
Amy Crawford | 37.6% | 3,853
Denice L. Davis | 15.5% | 1,589
Total Votes | 10,242
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 47 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Ameya Pawar Incumbent | 82.8% | 9,974
Rory A. Fiedler | 17.2% | 2,075
Total Votes | 12,049
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 49 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Joseph A. Moore Incumbent | 66.8% | 5,778
Don Gordon | 33.2% | 2,867
Total Votes | 8,645
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 50 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Debra Silverstein Incumbent | 64.4% | 5,024
Shajan M. Kuriakose | 18% | 1,406
Zehra Quadri | 17.6% | 1,375
Total Votes | 7,805
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official general election results," accessed July 9, 2015

# Runoff Election[edit]

Chicago City Council, Ward 2 Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Brian Hopkins | 56.6% | 7,597
Alyx S. Pattison | 43.4% | 5,819
Total Votes | 13,416
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 7 Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Gregory I. Mitchell | 56.5% | 6,798
Natashia L. Holmes Incumbent | 43.5% | 5,237
Total Votes | 12,035
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 10 Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Susan Sadlowski Garza | 50.1% | 5,825
John A. Pope Incumbent | 49.9% | 5,805
Total Votes | 11,630
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 11 Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Patrick Daley Thompson | 58.1% | 7,229
John K. Kozlar | 41.9% | 5,216
Total Votes | 12,445
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 15 Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Raymond A. Lopez | 58% | 3,596
Rafael Yañez | 42% | 2,606
Total Votes | 6,202
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 16 Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Toni Foulkes Incumbent | 50.9% | 3,879
Stephanie Coleman | 49.1% | 3,736
Total Votes | 7,615
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 18 Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Derrick G. Curtis | 67.7% | 9,843
Lona Lane | 32.3% | 4,688
Total Votes | 14,531
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 20 Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Willie B. Cochran Incumbent | 55.4% | 4,338
Kevin Bailey | 44.6% | 3,489
Total Votes | 7,827
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 21 Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Howard B. Brookins Incumbent | 51.1% | 7,574
Marvin Mcneil | 48.9% | 7,261
Total Votes | 14,835
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 24 Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Michael Scott, Jr. | 67.6% | 5,378
Vetress Boyce | 32.4% | 2,579
Total Votes | 7,957
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 29 Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Chris Taliaferro | 51.7% | 6,702
Deborah L. Graham Incumbent | 48.3% | 6,262
Total Votes | 12,964
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 31 Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Milagros "Milly" Santiago | 50.5% | 4,218
Ray Suarez Incumbent | 49.5% | 4,139
Total Votes | 8,357
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 36 Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Gilbert Villegas | 55.7% | 4,594
Omar Aquino | 44.3% | 3,656
Total Votes | 8,250
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 37 Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Emma Mitts Incumbent | 53% | 5,340
Tara Stamps | 47% | 4,734
Total Votes | 10,074
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 41 Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Anthony V. Napolitano | 51.6% | 9,702
Mary O’Connor Incumbent | 48.4% | 9,087
Total Votes | 18,789
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 43 Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Michele Smith Incumbent | 50.3% | 7,232
Caroline Vickrey | 49.7% | 7,153
Total Votes | 14,385
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 45 Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
John Arena Incumbent | 53.9% | 8,488
John Garrido | 46.1% | 7,263
Total Votes | 15,751
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 9, 2015
Chicago City Council, Ward 46 Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
James Cappleman Incumbent | 53.7% | 7,035
Amy Crawford | 46.3% | 6,065
Total Votes | 13,100
Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 9, 2015

## Issues[edit]

### Red light cameras[edit]

Among the issues in the 2015 elections was the use of red light cameras. A study by the Chicago Tribune in December 2014 suggested that the cameras, initially installed under the assumption that they would make traffic safer, actually had the reverse effect. This led to criticisms of Emanuel for allowing the red light camera program to continue. Challengers Fioretti and Garcia both took up positions against the program.[8]

Map of red light cameras in Chicago.

Garcia implied that the administration was blind to the problems the cameras caused because of the income they generated - an estimated $500 million since 2002. "After nearly four years in office, this administration has done nothing to stop this runaway program," Garcia said.[9] The Chicago Sun-Times, however, revealed that Garcia accepted a donation from the company behind the cameras in March 2014. The $1,500 donation came a day before the Cook County Commissioner cast a tie-breaking vote in favor of installing the cameras in River Forest.[10]

Fioretti made a similar statement about the income the cameras generated: "This is a revenue source, not for safety. They don’t want to cut the revenue. This is nothing new. We’ve been fighting this battle for a while." He said that he was never given a clear answer on the safety effects of the red light cameras, dating back to when then-Mayor Richard Daley first implemented the program. Fioretti implied that the city council had been misled on the safety improvements of the cameras.[10]

### Education[edit]

Education was another hot-button issue in the 2015 elections, due in part to Chicago's 2012 teacher strike, the first in more than 25 years. Emanuel also indicated that education would be a major part of his second term agenda should he win re-election in 2015. Part of this proposed overhaul included creating more diversity in high schools to give middle-class families choices within the city rather than leaving for the suburbs. Another called for the creation of an "Independent School Status" that would have allowed certain well-performing schools to have control over their own curriculum, instruction and resources.[11]

Emanuel's first term was not without controversies, either. The aforementioned teacher strike, caused by disagreements over the length of the school day, tying performance to evaluations and potential job cuts, was one such example.[12] Fifty schools were closed during Emanuel's first term, while new public schools, charter schools and school additions were concentrated predominately in Chicago's North Side, which has a considerable middle- and upper-class residency. Emanuel also stood against a push by the Chicago Teachers Union to make the school board an elected body.[13]

These issues drew criticism from Emanuel's challengers. Garcia called an elected school board a "constitutional right." Garcia also argued that, although 30 charter schools had opened in the last few years, most of them had not proven better than public schools in the same neighborhoods. Fioretti attacked Emanuel for ignoring the opinions of students, teachers and parents in favor of "a few hand-picked representatives that parrot his platform."[11]

### More police[edit]

The incumbent and his challengers were divided on a $125 million plan to put 1,000 more cops on the street. Emanuel said that it was unfair to make taxpayers foot the bill when they were already likely looking at a tax increase to cover unfunded pensions. Garcia proposed that much of that expense come from other expenditures in the budget, such as the estimated $100 million spent annually on police overtime. Fioretti appealed to the monetary cost of each shooting in the city, noting that the cost has risen greatly over time. The University of Chicago Crime Lab estimated that violence in Chicago costs an estimated $2.5 billion annually.[14]

### Debt rating[edit]

In late February 2015, the bond-rating service Moody’s downgraded Chicago’s debt rating from Baa1 to Baa2 on a scale that peaks at Aaa and bottoms out at C. Baa2 is a mid-to-low level rating that sits two positions up from what financial analysts call “junk,” a status that indicates high risks for bondholders.[15][16] The chart below shows how Chicago compared with other U.S. cities with populations over one million as of February 2015.

Debt Ratings for Top 10 Cities

City  | Rating
New York City | Aa2
Los Angeles | Aa2
Chicago | Baa2
Houston | Aa2
Philadelphia | A2
Phoenix | Aa1
San Antonio | Aaa
San Diego | Aa2
Dallas | Aa1

Moody’s cited Chicago’s $20 billion in unfunded pension obligations as the primary factor their decision, which followed the financial institution’s downgrading of the city’s credit-rating in March 2014.

Two other major bond-rating services, Fitch and Standard & Poor’s, released statements on Chicago’s debt situation that were less consequential. Like Moody’s, Fitch noted the problem of underfunded pensions but also pointed to job growth and what it called improved “financial and budgetary management.” Standard and Poor’s also expressed concern over pension obligations and noted that they hoped to see a sustainable plan to address these concerns by the end of 2015. Neither institution, however, downgraded Chicago’s debt rating.[17]

Debt-rating downgrades can potentially have serious consequences. Chicago could have been forced to pay millions in penalty fees on contracts associated with its bonds. In this specific case, the city might also have had to begin making larger payments on its pension obligations, which - without support from the state - could have come at the cost of other city services or forced the city to find new sources of revenue.[15]

The Garcia campaign used the news to hammer the financial policies of incumbent Rahm Emanuel and his allies. Garcia’s campaign manager Andrew Sharp said:[17]

“  | The city of Chicago cannot afford to continue to reward Emanuel's campaign contributors. Big corporations are benefiting at the expense of the Chicago taxpayers ... The Moody's downgrade is yet another sign that Emanuel's financial priorities are simply wrong. It's time for a change.[18] | ”

|
|

Emanuel, on the other hand, argued that the downgrade was a major reason to keep him in office. “The action by Moody's underscores the need to have a mayor who is willing to take on our challenges and level with Chicagoans, not try to distract them with empty rhetoric. Chuy Garcia has spent decades in public office and has never once raised a finger to take on the tough fiscal challenges facing our city. In four short years, Rahm has reached three major pension deals with more than two dozen unions, passed those deals through the state legislature, balanced every city budget without raising property taxes,” said his campaign spokesperson.[17][15]

Emanuel’s administration fired back at Moody’s, too. The mayor accused the institution of “ignoring the progress that has been achieved” and emphasized the decisions of Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor’s not to downgrade the city’s debt rating.[17]

For more information on Moody's credit ratings, read here.

### Obama library[edit]

As soon as talk of the location of Barack Obama’s Presidential Library began, Chicago became a heavily-favored frontrunner. As of February 2015, in fact, three sites in Chicago were under consideration: one site on the city’s West Side and two on the South Side. The latter two sites include land located on city parks (see map above).[19]

Mayor Emanuel strongly supported handing the land over to the Barack Obama Foundation, the nonprofit organization in charge of planning for the library, and took steps to make the land available for development.[20]

In January 2015, however, Chuy Garcia pushed back against using city park land for the library, saying, “Our leaders should be stewards of our public parks, not agents for their dismantlement — and Mayor Emanuel is breaking the public trust by supporting this unnecessary land grab. As I’ve argued before, that’s the mark of a mayor who neither understands nor cares about people and their public assets.”[20]

On March 1, 2015, Garcia clarified his comments from January and noted that he would support a library on the South Side: “I have never wavered in my full support of bringing the Obama Presidential Library to Chicago. I served with the President in the Illinois Senate. I have always supported President Obama. His legacy -- and his library -- belongs right here, in Chicago. While it is my view that the library does not have to come at the expense of public parkland that has enormous historical significance for everyone in Chicago, I will support the South or West side site.”[21]

On March 9, 2015, The Associated Press reported that the Barack Obama Foundation would delay announcing its final candidate until after the Chicago runoff election.[22]

## Recent news[edit]

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Chicago Illinois Election. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Municipal elections in Chicago, Illinois (2015) - Google News

## See also[edit]

* United States municipal elections, 2015
* Chicago, Illinois
* City of Chicago "Fair Elections," Paid Sick Time and Domestic Violence Advisory Questions (February 2015)

## External links[edit]

| Suggest a link

|

* Chicago Board of Election Commissioners \- 2015 Election Calendar
* Chicago Board of Election Commissioners \- General Election Candidate List
* Chicago Business, "Dozens quit or knocked off ballot in City Hall races," December 30, 2014
* DNA Info, "Where's My Ward, Who's Running for Alderman? Our Chicago Election Guide," February 9, 2015
* Chicago Board of Election Commissioners \- Official general election results
* Chicago Board of Election Commissioners \- Official runoff election results

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "2015 Election Calendar," accessed August 21, 2014
2. ↑ Chicago Sun Times, "Enyia dropping out of mayoral race, endorsing Fioretti," December 10, 2014
3. ↑ NBC Chicago, "Patterson Bumped From Mayoral Ballot," December 18, 2014
4. ↑ Chicago Business, "Dozens quit or knocked off ballot in City Hall races," December 30, 2014
5. ↑ Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, "District Precinct Schedules," accessed December 13, 2018
6. ↑ CBS Chicago, "Chicago Alderman JoAnn Thompson Dies," February 10, 2015
7. ↑ Chicago Sun-Times, "Board of Elections to remove Ald. JoAnn Thompson's name from ballots," February 10, 2015
8. ↑ Reboot Illinois, "Red light camera program raising red flags in Chicago mayor’s race; Rutherford gives raises," December 22, 2014
9. ↑ CBS Chicago, "Mayoral Candidate Chuy Garcia Calls For Moratorium On Red Light Camera Tickets," December 21, 2014
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Chicago Sun-Times, "2 Emanuel mayoral challengers blast red-light camera program," December 21, 2014
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Chicago Sun-Times, "Emanuel unveils second-term education agenda, confronts school closings," January 8, 2015
12. ↑ CNN, "Q&A: What's behind the Chicago teachers' strike?" September 19, 2012
13. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `edution`
14. ↑ MyFoxChicago.com, "Combating crime big issue in 2016 mayoral race," December 23, 2014
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Chicago Tribune, "Moody's downgrades Chicago's debt rating," February 27, 2015
16. ↑ Investopedia, "Junk Bonds: Everything You Need To Know," accessed March 9, 2015
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Chicago Business, "Chicago's debt sinks to two notches above junk: Moody's," February 27, 2015
18. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
19. ↑ Barack Obama Foundation, "Library and Foundation," accessed March 9, 2015
20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Chicago Tribune, "Garcia reverses stance on Obama library parkland after Emanuel criticism," March 2, 2015
21. ↑ ChicagoForChuy.com, "Mayoral Candidate Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia statement on the Obama Presidential Library," March 1, 2015
22. ↑ Chicago Tribune, "Obama library site may not be revealed until after runoff, source says," March 9, 2015

v • e

2015 Elections for Mayors and City Councils

Mayors|

Anchorage • Aurora • Boise • Charlotte • Chicago • Colorado Springs • Columbus • Dallas • Denver • Durham • Fort Wayne • Fort Worth • Garland • Greensboro • Houston • Indianapolis • Jacksonville • Kansas City • Las Vegas • Lincoln • Madison • Memphis • Miami • Nashville • Orlando • Philadelphia • Phoenix • Pittsburgh • Raleigh • San Antonio • San Francisco • St. Louis • Tampa • Tucson • Wichita

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City Councils|

Albuquerque • Arlington • Aurora • Boise • Boston • Buffalo • Charlotte • Chicago• Cleveland • Colorado Springs • Columbus • Dallas • Denver • Durham • El Paso • Fort Wayne • Fort Worth • Garland • Greensboro • Henderson • Hialeah • Houston • Indianapolis • Irving • Jacksonville • Kansas City • Las Vegas • Lincoln • Los Angeles • Louisville • Madison • Memphis • Miami • Milwaukee • Nashville • North Las Vegas • Oklahoma City • Orlando • Philadelphia • Phoenix • Pittsburgh • Plano • Raleigh • Riverside • San Antonio • San Francisco • Seattle • St. Louis • St. Paul • St. Petersburg • Tampa • Toledo • Tucson • Washington, D.C. • Wichita

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v • e

State of Illinois
Springfield (capital)

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Elections |

What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2026 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures

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