THE LOOP (WBBM Newsradio) -- Politicians lined up along State Street Monday morning to be among the first to turn in petition signatures for February's citywide election in Chicago, though some people hoping to get on the ballot arrived a bit earlier.
"We got out here ... at like 1:15 in the morning," said South side Ald. David Moore, describing when he showed up at the Chicago Board of Elections' petition intake office, 203 S. State St., early Sunday, saying it's a way to "(let) my constituents know I will be first to serve when called upon."
Getting petitions in on the first day also gives candidates a shot at being the first name on the ballot. That is coveted real estate, especially for prospective challengers like D.J. Doren, who's filing to run against North side Alderman Bennett Lawson: "People of the 44th Ward deserve something better than the same-old, same-old."
Chicago mayoral candidate John Kelly (left) prepares to file nominating petitions, October 19, 2026.
Geoff Buchholz - WBBM Newsradio
The queue to file petitions is a Chicago political tradition, and it took on the feel of a block party, with political adversaries greeting each other like old friends. One person in line, incumbent Ald. Nicole Lee (11th Ward), brought pineapple buns from a bakery in her Chinatown ward. By contrast, West side Ald. Red Burnett (27th Ward) brought his father and City Council predecessor, retired Ald. Walter Burnett, Jr, who drew upon his years of electoral experience to dress in layers as protections from the mid-October chill.
Asked if he was glad he didn't have to circulate petitions for his own race, the former alderman said he was, "but I'm also happy to be out here to support my son."
The younger Burnett related his father's advice about turning in petitions on the first day: "Just try to be early. Be the first one on the ballot. To show force. Signatures matter."
Back at the front of the line, Ald. Moore (17th Ward) said he took the first shift, but he had campaign workers and others relieving him until the doors opened.
"You've at least had a change of clothes out here, right?" asked WBBM political editor Geoff Buchholz. Ald. Moore responded laughing: "And a shower!"
