Chicago Mayor · Feb 23, 2027
John
Kelly
John Kelly is running for mayor of Chicago in the Feb 23, 2027 election, against 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, George A. Cardenas and Jessica "Jesse" Maronto.
Not sure who to vote for? Answer a few questions and see which Chicago candidates agree with you, and why.
No sign-in. Your answers stay on your device. We never endorse anyone. Report an error
The race · Mayor
- 01Matt Brewer
- 02George A. Cardenas
- 03Danielle Carter-Walters
- 04Alexi Giannoulias
- 05Joe Holberg
- 06Brandon JohnsonIncumbent
- 07John KellyYou’re reading
- 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
- Government affairs lobbyist who helped build All-Circo, a Chicago-based government affairs firm. Previously worked for the Illinois Attorney General’s office and served on the board of directors of Lakeside Bank.
- Campaign website
- johnkellyforchi.com
On the record: John Kelly
9 sourced01Public safety and policing3 sourced positions
Pledges to fill nearly 2,000 open Chicago Police Department positions.
Own statementJohn Kelly for MayorLink
Pledges to bring back ShotSpotter gunshot detection.
Own statementJohn Kelly for MayorLink
Pledged to cut the mayor’s 154-member security detail by at least 75 percent and redeploy about 100 officers to CTA patrols.
Own statementCitizens for John Kelly press release (Newswire): John Kelly Launches Campaign for Mayor of Chicago · Jul 29, 2026Link
02Transit1 sourced position
Would put 100 police officers on CTA trains on his first day and 400 officers on trains and buses by the end of his first year.
Own statementJohn Kelly for MayorLink
03City budget and taxes2 sourced positions
Pledges no new taxes that raise the cost of living, starting with property taxes.
Own statementJohn Kelly for MayorLink
Proposed cutting unfunded positions in the mayor’s office to pay for ambulances.
If you have some of these unfunded positions that the mayor has in his office, you can cut 20 of those and buy five ambulances,”
Own statementChicago Sun-Times · Aug 20, 2026Link
04Property taxes1 sourced position
Says reassessments hit South and West Side homeowners hardest and pledges to make property taxes fair for those neighborhoods.
Own statementJohn Kelly for MayorLink
05Schools and CPS1 sourced position
Would use mayoral influence to refocus Chicago schools on students learning to read, write and do math.
Own statementJohn Kelly for MayorLink
06Ethics and city government1 sourced position
Would lead an effort, requiring state legislation, to give Chicago a city charter with ethics and procurement rules.
Own statementJohn Kelly for MayorLink
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Match quiz · 2 minutes · no sign-in
See which Chicago candidates match you
Also on your Chicago ballot
See something wrong? Report an error
Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.