Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza Enters Chicago Mayoral Race

The current comptroller plans to run for mayor of Chicago in the 2027 election.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Remote Work

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza Enters Chicago Mayoral Race

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Should city leaders prioritize attracting business partnerships over raising property taxes to balance the municipal budget?

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announced her candidacy for mayor of Chicago during a speech at the City Club of Chicago. She plans to seek the office in the 2027 election, citing a trifecta of crises in finances, public safety, and confidence.

Why it matters

Mendoza enters the race as the city faces significant fiscal challenges, highlighting a major contrast in economic policy compared to current leadership. Her platform includes a commitment to review the city budget line by line and support for specific tech sectors.

The administration previously proposed a $300 million property tax hike, a figure that was ultimately rejected by city aldermen. Mendoza now aims to address the city's financial crisis through her proposed budgetary oversight.

The players

Susana Mendoza

She is the current Illinois comptroller who has officially announced her bid for mayor of Chicago.

Brandon Johnson

He is the current mayor of Chicago whose previous property tax hike proposal was voted down by city aldermen.

The details

Mendoza stated that she plans to meet with credit rating agencies in New York City on her first day in office. She also proposed cutting in half the construction approval and permitting timeline for new buildings while prioritizing growth in robotics, logistics, and digital health.

In 2023, Mayor Brandon Johnson promised not to raise property taxes.
On October 28, 2026, Susana Mendoza delivered a speech at the City Club of Chicago.
The Chicago mayoral election takes place in 2027.

Market Landscape

This mayoral bid signals a shift in the local political environment as candidates prepare to challenge the current administration's fiscal strategies. By positioning her candidacy against the existing Chicago budget approval process, Mendoza is seeking to capture the focus of voters concerned with municipal economic management.

Residents can expect potential changes to construction timelines and municipal tax policies if her proposed reforms are implemented. The campaign outcome will likely determine the city's approach to future property tax proposals and urban development permits.

The takeaway

The race highlights a critical debate over the city's fiscal future and administrative efficiency. Voters should track how candidates plan to resolve the city's identified financial crisis as the 2027 election approaches.