Giannoulias coy on talk of mayoral bid in Chicago

STREETERVILLE (WBBM Newsradio) -- The field of potential candidates is growing for next year's Chicago mayoral election, but one possible candidate isn't saying much about his plans, for now.

The entry of outgoing state Comptroller Susana Mendoza to the race focused new attention on the people who could be on next February's ballot, including Mendoza's fellow Democratic statewide officeholder Alexi Giannoulias.

"It's something that I'm taking a hard look at," said Giannoulias during a brief interview June 4 at Lurie Children's Hospital, 225 E. Chicago Ave., after an announcement touting passage of e-bike legislation.

Giannoulias, 50, has tried to use statewide office as a springboard before; he was state Treasurer back in 2010 when he ran for U.S. Senate, losing to incumbent Republican Mark Kirk.

"I'm honored to have the support and encouragement of a lot of folks who want me to run for mayor," he said. "I am maniacally bullish about the city of Chicago, but we've got some enormous challenges here," including affordability and public safety, he added.

One challenge Giannoulias would not have is money: documents filed with the state show the former loan executive for his family's now-closed Broadway Bank has more than $18 million available for campaign expenses. That's far more than any other declared or potential candidate, including Mayor Brandon Johnson.

The mayor himself has not formally said whether he plans to run for re-election. Several other high-profile candidates have signaled they intend to run, including Chicago Congressman Mike Quigley (D-5th District) and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. Mendoza is the highest-profile candidate currently in the race, in a field which includes entrepreneurs Joe Holberg and Liam Stanton, and "Chicago Flips Red" conservative activist Danielle Carter-Walters.

"I'm excited about the prospect," Giannoulias said, "but it's a big decision," refusing to say when he might announce a bid.