Chicago Mayor · Feb 23, 2027
George A.
Cardenas
George A. Cardenas is running for mayor of Chicago in the Feb 23, 2027 election, against John Kelly, Alexi Giannoulias, Matt Brewer, Willie L. Wilson, Mike Quigley, Brandon Johnson, Susana A. Mendoza, Lisa Nee, William J. Quinlan, John Kitover, Maria Pappas, Joe Holberg, Zoe X. Ma, Danielle Carter-Walters and Jessica "Jesse" Maronto.
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The race · Mayor
- 01Matt Brewer
- 02George A. CardenasYou’re reading
- 03Danielle Carter-Walters
- 04Alexi Giannoulias
- 05Joe Holberg
- 06Brandon JohnsonIncumbent
- 07John Kelly
- 08John Kitover
- 09Zoe X. Ma
- 10Jessica "Jesse" Maronto
- 11Susana A. Mendoza
- 12Lisa Nee
- 13Maria Pappas
- 14Mike Quigley
- 15William J. Quinlan
- 16Willie L. Wilson
Background
- About
- Cook County Board of Review commissioner who represented Chicago's 12th Ward on the City Council for 20 years. A U.S. Navy veteran, he worked in accounting, auditing, strategic sourcing and management consulting.
- Campaign website
- cardenas4chicago.com
On the record: George A. Cardenas
16 sourced01City budget and taxes4 sourced positions
Would submit an ordinance capping city spending growth at inflation plus 1%.
Own statementCardenas for ChicagoLink
Criticized Mayor Johnson's $1.25 billion TIF-backed bond plan, citing about $81 million a year in debt service through 2061.
Own statementChicago Sun-Times (op-ed by George A. Cardenas): To balance budget, Mayor Johnson should overhaul departments viewed as 'untouchable' · Dec 9, 2024Link
Voted yes on ordinance O2021-4869, amendments and corrections to the 2022 budget recommendations (passed 35-15, Oct 2021).
Council voteChicago City Council (via Chicago Councilmatic): O2021-4869, 2022 Budget Recommendations - Amendments and Corrections · Oct 27, 2021Link
Abstained on the City Council vote on Mayor Richard M. Daley's 75-year, $1.15 billion parking meter privatization, as reported by the Sun-Times.
Council voteChicago Sun-Times · Sep 13, 2026Link
02Property taxes3 sourced positions
Pledges a first-year balanced budget blueprint with no property tax increase.
Own statementCardenas for ChicagoLink
As a Board of Review commissioner, urged an income-based property tax circuit breaker that also covers renters.
Implementing property tax circuit breakers is a practical and effective solution to protect families from financial hardship and promote housing stability.”
Own statementChicago Sun-Times (op-ed by George Cardenas): 'Circuit breakers' would ease burden of soaring Cook County property taxes · Aug 6, 2024Link
Voted yes on the 2021 city property tax levy increase (passed 28-22, Nov 2020).
Council voteBlock Club Chicago · Nov 24, 2020Link
03Public safety and policing1 sourced position
Proposes 500 net new police officers in his first year, paid for with overtime reform savings.
Own statementCardenas for ChicagoLink
04Transit1 sourced position
Would add 75 CTA-specific transit police officers on the Red, Blue and Orange lines.
Own statementCardenas for ChicagoLink
05Pensions1 sourced position
Would submit an ordinance requiring the city to pay its actuarially determined pension contribution.
Own statementCardenas for ChicagoLink
06Housing2 sourced positions
Would set a 30-day deadline for small business and residential permits, with fees waived if it is missed.
Own statementCardenas for ChicagoLink
Would allow more housing as of right near CTA, Metra and bus corridors and legalize four-flats, six-flats and ADUs.
Own statementCardenas for ChicagoLink
07Economy and business2 sourced positions
Would propose a $300 million Neighborhood Capital Fund allocated by community-area unemployment rates.
Own statementCardenas for ChicagoLink
Voted yes on the host community agreement with Bally's for a Chicago casino (passed 41-7, May 2022).
Council voteChicago City Council (via Chicago Councilmatic): R2022-587, Host Community Agreement with Bally's Chicago Operating Company LLC · May 25, 2022Link
08Ethics and city government1 sourced position
Would freeze professional-services awards over $500,000 and terminate contracts rated 'Red' in a review of all contracts over $1 million.
Own statementCardenas for ChicagoLink
09Immigration enforcement1 sourced position
Voted yes on ordinance O2021-117 amending the Welcoming City ordinance (passed 41-8, Jan 2021).
Council voteChicago City Council (via Chicago Councilmatic): O2021-117, Amendment of Municipal Code regarding Welcoming City Ordinance · Jan 27, 2021Link
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
George A. Cardenas: their words and their votes on the same issue
City budget and taxes
In their words
Criticized Mayor Johnson's $1.25 billion TIF-backed bond plan, citing about $81 million a year in debt service through 2061.
Would submit an ordinance capping city spending growth at inflation plus 1%.
On the record
Voted yes on ordinance O2021-4869, amendments and corrections to the 2022 budget recommendations (passed 35-15, Oct 2021).
Abstained on the City Council vote on Mayor Richard M. Daley's 75-year, $1.15 billion parking meter privatization, as reported by the Sun-Times.
Sep 13, 2026 ·Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 13, 2026
Property tax levy
In their words
Pledges a first-year balanced budget blueprint with no property tax increase.
On the record
Voted yes on the 2021 city property tax levy increase (passed 28-22, Nov 2020).
Nov 24, 2020 ·Block Club Chicago · Nov 24, 2020
Economy and business
In their words
Would propose a $300 million Neighborhood Capital Fund allocated by community-area unemployment rates.
On the record
Voted yes on the host community agreement with Bally's for a Chicago casino (passed 41-7, May 2022).
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