Politics

Roll out the (red) wagons. Today is the first day for candidates to file their petitions to run in the 2023 municipal election.

What's happening: In a Chicago tradition, candidates are expected to line up outside the Board of Elections this morning with paper petitions in hand and in cart.

The Cook County Treasurer's office yesterday posted the long-awaited property tax bills for city homeowners.

• And it wasn't pretty.

The Illinois General Assembly starts the 2022 veto session today, a two-week window when lawmakers can amend, update and pass legislation before year-end.

Why it matters: Lawmakers are expected to tweak bills on hot topics, including the SAFE-T Act and social equity provisions of the state's weed law.

Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García announced his candidacy for mayor Thursday on a platform of unity, choosing Nov. 10 because it marked exactly 40 years since Harold Washington announced his campaign.

What they're saying: "I'm the only guy left from the Harold Washington coalition," García told the Sun-Times.

High-income, mostly North Side wards showed the highest voter turnout in last week's election, per Chicago Board of Elections data.

• The two big exceptions were Ald. Sophia King's 4th ward and Matt O'Shea's city worker-heavy 19th ward, which led the city in voter turnout.
• The lowest turnout occurred in Ald. Ray Lopez's 15th, which includes West Englewood, and Ald. Ed Burke's 14th, which includes Archer Heights.

Why it matters: Turnout often illustrates where citizens feel invested in politics and believe government can work for them.

• But in a vicious cycle, candidates don't have a lot of incentive to prioritize the issues of areas with low turnout.

Editor's note for screen: This chart was corrected to note Timmy Knudsen is the alderperson of the 43rd ward, not Michelle Smith.

Illinois saw a major blue wave this midterm — and a lot of that was by design.

Why it matters: The most recent redistricting of the political map by Democrats helped guarantee last night's congressional victories.

With the midterms in the rearview mirror, it's time to focus on the mayoral election arriving in just three months.

Driving the news: U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia is expected to join the crowded field running against Mayor Lori Lightfoot today after he won re-election Tuesday night.

Illinois Democrats held their ground in last night's midterms by winning almost every contested seat and maintaining a 5-2 majority in the state Supreme Court.

Why it matters: Voters cemented Illinois as a Democratic stronghold in the region.