Chicago Mayor · Feb 23, 2027
Susana A.
Mendoza
Susana A. Mendoza 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, Lisa Nee, William J. Quinlan, John Kitover, Maria Pappas, Joe Holberg, Zoe X. Ma, Danielle Carter-Walters, George A. Cardenas and Jessica "Jesse" Maronto.
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The race · Mayor
- 01Matt Brewer
- 02George A. Cardenas
- 03Danielle Carter-Walters
- 04Alexi Giannoulias
- 05Joe Holberg
- 06Brandon JohnsonIncumbent
- 07John Kelly
- 08John Kitover
- 09Zoe X. Ma
- 10Jessica "Jesse" Maronto
- 11Susana A. MendozaYou’re reading
- 12Lisa Nee
- 13Maria Pappas
- 14Mike Quigley
- 15William J. Quinlan
- 16Willie L. Wilson
Background
- About
- Illinois Comptroller, former Chicago City Clerk and former six-term Illinois state representative. As City Clerk, moved city vehicle stickers to year-round sales.
- Campaign website
- susanamendoza.com
On the record: Susana A. Mendoza
16 sourced01City budget and taxes3 sourced positions
Criticized the mayor's proposed head tax, his plan to borrow $480 million and his personal property lease transaction tax.
The mayor’s proposed head tax — it kills jobs by penalizing companies for hiring more Chicagoans.”
Own statementSusana for Chicago (reposting Chicago Sun-Times): Mayoral challenger Susana Mendoza vows to repair 'damaged relationship' between City Hall and business · Oct 28, 2026Link
as reported by the Chicago Tribune; not a direct quote
Said the millionaire's tax proposal supported by Mayor Johnson and Alexi Giannoulias would hurt working-class Chicagoans.
Own statementSusana for Chicago (reposting Chicago Tribune): Susana Mendoza says Chicago businesses would 'stop feeling like piggy banks' if she's mayor · Oct 28, 2026Link
Says she would end the use of tax increment financing (TIF) funds to cover city operating expenses.
I will put an end to this abuse and utilize these precious economic development dollars to grow our city.”
Own statementSusana for ChicagoLink
02Property taxes2 sourced positions
Says growing the city's tax base would raise revenue without higher tax rates and ease the property tax burden on residents.
Growing our city’s tax base would increase total revenue without requiring higher tax rates.”
Own statementSusana for ChicagoLink
Did not say whether she would keep the city's property tax levy flat; said she would review every line of the budget first.
So I can’t tell you what that looks like yet because I’m not the mayor.”
Own statementSusana for Chicago (reposting Chicago Tribune): Susana Mendoza says Chicago businesses would 'stop feeling like piggy banks' if she's mayor · Oct 28, 2026Link
03Public safety and policing3 sourced positions
Says she would fill police vacancies.
Own statementSusana for ChicagoLink
Says she would bring back ShotSpotter gunshot detection.
Own statementSusana for ChicagoLink
Supports amending the SAFE-T Act so people accused of murder, attempted murder or predatory sexual assault are not eligible for electronic monitoring.
Own statementSusana for ChicagoLink
04Transit2 sourced positions
Plans advanced CTA fare gates to cut fare evasion by 30 to 50 percent in her first term.
Own statementSusana for Chicago · Oct 1, 2026Link
Plans a police and transit partnership with CPD and the Cook County Sheriff's Police for a law enforcement presence at rail stations.
Own statementSusana for Chicago · Oct 1, 2026Link
05Pensions3 sourced positions
Says she would prepay city pension obligations whenever possible, as she says she did for the state as comptroller.
Own statementSusana for ChicagoLink
As comptroller, made the first state pension pre-payments under a law change she sought: $422 million above the usual July amount (July 2024).
Council voteIllinois Office of Comptroller · Jul 15, 2024Link
as summarized on her campaign site from a Chicago's Morning Answer radio interview; not a direct quote
Said the city should consolidate pension functions, create dedicated revenue lockboxes and offer early buyouts.
Own statementSusana for Chicago (summary of Chicago's Morning Answer interview): Susana Mendoza Pitches Fiscal Turnaround Record in Chicago Mayoral Bid · Sep 16, 2026Link
06Housing1 sourced position
Pledged to cut housing construction approval and permitting timelines in half.
We will cut housing construction approval and permitting timelines in half.”
Own statementSusana for Chicago · Oct 28, 2026Link
07Schools and CPS1 sourced position
as summarized on her campaign site from a Chicago's Morning Answer radio interview; not a direct quote
Said she supports opting into a federal tax-credit scholarship program that funds options for families in public and private schools.
Own statementSusana for Chicago (summary of Chicago's Morning Answer interview): Susana Mendoza Pitches Fiscal Turnaround Record in Chicago Mayoral Bid · Sep 16, 2026Link
08Economy and business1 sourced position
Says she would reduce fees, fines and permitting burdens on small businesses.
Own statementSusana for Chicago · Oct 28, 2026Link
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Susana A. Mendoza: their words and their votes on the same issue
Pensions
In their words
Said the city should consolidate pension functions, create dedicated revenue lockboxes and offer early buyouts.
Sep 16, 2026 ·as summarized on her campaign site from a Chicago's Morning Answer radio interview; not a direct quote ·Susana for Chicago (summary of Chicago's Morning Answer interview): Susana Mendoza Pitches Fiscal Turnaround Record in Chicago Mayoral Bid · Sep 16, 2026
Says she would prepay city pension obligations whenever possible, as she says she did for the state as comptroller.
On the record
As comptroller, made the first state pension pre-payments under a law change she sought: $422 million above the usual July amount (July 2024).
Jul 15, 2024 ·Illinois Office of Comptroller · Jul 15, 2024
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