https://signalpress.blogspot.com/2023/02/chicago-will-elect-mayor-and-council-on.html
Crime is high on the list, along with
police reform. Current mayor Lori Lightfoot, a progressive Democrat, and the city's first LGBTQ mayor, has struggled, having to straddle both of these issues. She got hit hard with criticism for the violence which occurred in Chicago, among the worst in the country, following the George Floyd murder. And then, after that, has faced criticism from progressives for taking a more hard line on law enforcement, pushing police to be more aggressive in enforcing the law, after some random, high profile violent crime sprees in some of the safer, more affluent neighborhoods in the city.
Education is also a big issue, as the city council operates the school district directly, instead of with an elected school board, and she fought with the gigantic teacher's union over COVID personnel policy, taking a more hard line than progressives were expecting. There's been one teacher strike during her administration, not a good sign given that union members for the most part are one of the largest Democratic constituencies in the city.
Chicago is one of the deepest blue pockets in the country, and in the midwest, the influence of Democratic party members going way out into the mostly blue suburbs as well. It counts five current US congressmen, one senator, the Governor of Illinois and one recent former President as members of its Democratic party leadership and constituency. Party leadership and influence will come from it. It's worth noting how this election will turn out.
