Institute Released Chicago Mayoral Fundraising Report
A new study reveals significant fundraising leads and cash-on-hand differences among potential mayoral contenders.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The Institute for the Public Good released a report analyzing campaign fundraising for Chicago mayoral candidates since the 2023 runoff. The study highlights Alexi Giannoulias as the leader in total funds raised and cash reserves compared to his peers.
Why it matters
The analysis assesses which potential candidates possess the necessary financial resources to mount a viable campaign for the 2027 Chicago mayoral election. It provides transparency into donor types and industrial backing that could influence the upcoming race.
Alexi Giannoulias raised $22.2 million with $21 million cash on hand, while Brandon Johnson raised $3.5 million with less than $700,000 cash on hand. Small donors make up 14% of Johnson's total funds, compared to less than 2% for Giannoulias.
The players
Alexi Giannoulias
He is the Illinois Secretary of State and a prominent figure in Chicago politics.
Brandon Johnson
He is a political figure in Chicago who has drawn 14% of his funds from small donors.
Institute for the Public Good
This is an organization that conducts research and analysis on public policy and campaign finance.
The details
The report, titled Who Is Funding Chicago's Mayoral Candidates, breaks down contributions by donor type and size across the field of candidates. It tracks financial activity from the 2023 mayoral runoff to the present to gauge campaign readiness.
Timeline
June 30 marked the reporting deadline for candidate cash on hand.
September 15, 2026, was the date the study was released.
October 2026 is when the next quarterly campaign reports will be filed.
November 2026 is when Giannoulias faces reelection as secretary of state.
2027 is the year the Chicago mayoral election will occur.
Market Landscape
This study mirrors the transparency standards established by the Illinois Election Code's campaign disclosure requirements. It positions candidates by their ability to consolidate early capital within the competitive environment of Chicago politics.
For Chicago residents, this report offers a look at which candidates are backed by major donors versus small-dollar supporters. This information can influence voter decisions by showing which campaigns are positioned to maintain long-term operations until the 2027 election.
The takeaway
Understanding campaign finances helps voters identify which candidates are supported by large industrial donors versus grassroots small-dollar contributors. Tracking these figures early can indicate which campaigns have the durability to compete effectively in the 2027 election cycle.
What happens next
Quarterly campaign reports will be filed in October 2026, which will include additional data on small donations received between July and September.
Further reading
For more on local initiatives and funding trends, visit Philanthropy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Axios.
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