Chicago Mayor · Feb 23, 2027
William J.
Quinlan
William J. Quinlan 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, 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. Mendoza
- 12Lisa Nee
- 13Maria Pappas
- 14Mike Quigley
- 15William J. QuinlanYou’re reading
- 16Willie L. Wilson
Background
- About
- Chicago attorney who chairs the board of Lawrence Hall, a social service agency for children and youth. Has also served as Chair of the Local School Council at Lincoln Park High School.
- Campaign website
- quinlanforchicago.com
On the record: William J. Quinlan
7 sourced01City budget and taxes3 sourced positions
Pledges a 10-year city budget plan and says Chicago should not have to choose between higher taxes and indiscriminate cuts.
Own statementQuinlan for ChicagoLink
Wrote that city budgets have been written around reelection rather than long-term stability.
Own statementChicago Tribune op-ed (copy posted by Leading a Better Chicago): Bill Quinlan: Chicago needs honesty, not short-term budget fixes · Oct 6, 2025Link
Criticized the FY2026 budget for replacing the proposed head tax with uncertain revenue, including selling city-owned debt and expanding advertising on city property.
Own statementLeading a Better Chicago (Bill Quinlan, founder): An Update on the City of Chicago’s FY2026 budget · Dec 25, 2025Link
02Economy and business1 sourced position
Supports some city concessions to keep the Bears in Chicago, but with no property tax hikes and no sales tax increases.
Own statementChicago Tribune op-ed (copy posted by Leading a Better Chicago): Bill Quinlan: The city should offer concessions to the Bears — but not at the expense of taxpayers · Feb 26, 2026Link
03Public safety and policing1 sourced position
Lists mentorship, violence interruption, trauma-informed care, responsible technologies and community policing as his public safety priorities.
Own statementQuinlan for ChicagoLink
04Schools and CPS2 sourced positions
Pledges to expand educational opportunity to include vocational and technical classes.
Own statementQuinlan for ChicagoLink
Says that, as an attorney during the CPS leadership dispute, he opposed efforts to push through an unsustainable teachers’ contract and risky financial deals.
Own statementQuinlan for ChicagoLink
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
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