He's in? Mayor's team schedules political "announcement"

We're getting the clearest hint yet about Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's future plans as February's citywide election gets closer.

Reporters have asked the mayor for months about whether he plans to seek a second term, and for months he's answered with a variation of one of his standard themes: "My focus is making sure that we build the safest, most affordable big city in America."

That's been his answer even as the field of candidates has expanded to include Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, state Comptroller Susana Mendoza and Congressman Mike Quigley.

Now, his campaign operation has invited supporters to a special announcement event Sunday, September 13, and retired WBBM Newsradio political editor Craig Dellimore says that's significant.

"You do a Sunday announcement when you want to get something in Monday's paper," said Dellimore. "I don't think there's any question at all (that he's running again)."

Dellimore said the mayor has had a "bumpy three years" in the job, but can point to achievements including reductions in violent crime and investments in long under-resourced neighborhoods on the South and West sides.

"Even those people who say he's going to have a hard time getting re-elected kind of acknowledge that certainly he makes the runoff," Dellimore said.

One of the factors in any campaign will be funding, and the latest filings with the state Board of Elections show his campaign has about $630,000 on hand. That's less than a number of other candidates, but Dellimore said that just as in 2023, the mayor would get a ground game boost from his longtime allies at the Chicago Teachers Union: "Maybe not as enthusiastic as before, but it certainly will be there."

And whenever the mayor's been asked about a relative lack of campaign money, he's reminded reporters about the outcome of his 2023 race against challenger Paul Vallas: "I was outspent three to one ... and I'm still the mayor of the city of Chicago."

The citywide election is set for February 23.