U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley launches 2027 Chicago mayoral campaign

Illinois Congressman Mike Quigley has officially launched his 2027 Chicago mayoral race campaign. 

The announcement was made inside the historic, closed-down Uptown Theatre on Saturday afternoon.

Quigley says he plans to make tough choices, and this will be his last job.

"We are not going to be able to provide basic city services unless we restructure how our government operates," he said.     

Quigley says he's running because he believes Chicago is at a turning point and needs stronger leadership.

In his campaign announcement, he promised not to raise taxes, cut costs in the city budget, build more affordable homes, and make the CTA safer.

"I've been elected 13 times in crowded fields. I've been elected in races where I was outspent, I'm not focused on that," he said. 

As for trying to keep the Bears in Chicago, Quigley says that's up to the general assembly.

"I love the Bears, but they are not as high a priority for me as serving the entire city of Chicago," he said.

Quigley is now the fourth candidate to enter the race this month.   

Meanwhile, Mayor Brandon Johnson is widely expected to seek a second term but has yet to announce.

The candidates who have already launched their campaigns include outgoing Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Cook County Board of Review member George Cardenas, and former Chicago Housing Authority board chair Matthew Brewer.

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has already said she plans to run, and Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias continues to be mentioned as a possible candidate, though he has not announced any plans.

Quigley won the Democratic primary for the Illinois 5th District race back in March. He will face Republican Tommy Hanson in November. 

For nearly two decades, Quigley has represented the 5th Congressional District in Illinois, which includes the North Side of Chicago and several northern and northwest suburbs. Before that, he served more than 20 years as a member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

The election will take place in February. The top candidate needs 50% of the vote—otherwise, there will be a run-off in April.

Quigley discusses plans to enter mayoral race during January interview

Back in January, Quigley told CBS News Chicago about his plans to run and explain why he wants the job. 

"Chicago is in crisis. I love this city. I've given most of my adult life to public service in Chicago. But I see it in a situation where someone has to lead at a time when there's a lack of leadership. Willingness to make extraordinarily difficult decisions; those are the kind of decisions I've made my entire public life," he said.

He said the city can't continue to tax its way out of financial trouble. Instead, he suggested a pro-business approach to help Chicago grow. 

"Right now, we're at a pivot point. The crossroads were probably a decade ago, but right now we are in a crisis mode where we could face insolvency if we aren't making those tough choices," he said.