CHICAGO — Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has made it official: he’s running for Chicago mayor.
Giannoulias made the long-expected announcement Sunday morning in a video posted on social media. He’s expected to hold a formal campaign launch later in the day at the IBEW Local 134 union hall in Bronzeville.
The incumbent secretary of state joins an already-crowded field of candidates attempting to replace Mayor Brandon Johnson, who has not yet formally announced his reelection plans.
The 2027 mayoral election is Feb. 23. A runoff election will take place April 6 if no candidate garners at least 50 percent of the vote in the first round — a highly likely possibility with so many people expected to run.
Also in the race are outgoing Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, North Side U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, former Ald. George Cardenas and CHA board member Matt Brewer, among several others.
Giannoulias has served as Illinois’ secretary of state since 2023, and is currently running for reelection on Nov. 3 — meaning he’ll ask voters to support him for two different positions at the same time.
In his announcement video Sunday, Giannoulias called for universal pre-K, higher wages, more affordable housing and a “fairer” tax system that protects working families, although he did not share specifics.
Giannoulias did not mention Johnson by name in his announcement, but his campaign said in a press release it will focus on “restoring basic competence to city government” and rebuilding trust between neighbors and City Hall.
“No, government can’t solve all of our problems, but we must demand it do better and make our lives easier,” Giannoulias said in the video. “You deserve a City Hall that can deliver real change. For everyone that loves Chicago, it’s time to demand better.”
Around noon Sunday, hundreds of people had filtered in to the Local 134 hall to see Giannoulias make his announcement, including Alds. Brian Hopkins (2nd), Michelle Harris (8th), Derrick Curtis (18th) Felix Cardona (31st), Emma Mitts (37th) and Timmy Knudsen (43rd).
Giannoulias has long been a known name in Chicago and Illinois politics, including for his frequent pick-up basketball games with former President Barack Obama. Giannoulias played basketball in college and then professionally in Greece.
Back in Illinois, he served as state treasurer from 2007-2011 before unsuccessfully running for the U.S. Senate in 2010, when he lost to Republican Mark Kirk. That campaign was hindered by the collapse of Broadway Bank, which Giannoulias’ family had run for decades.
As secretary of state, Giannoulias has overseen Illinois’ transition to Real IDs and offered digital drivers licenses, as well as backed legislation banning book bans at libraries. He’s also been a prolific social media user, with some posts — including of him wearing a wet T-shirt at the 2023 Pride parade and annual videos reading aloud rejected vanity plate submissions — going viral.
Giannoulias’ mayoral candidacy has been rumored for months as he amassed a massive political war chest, despite running uncontested in the Democratic secretary of state primary in March.
His campaign in June reported almost $22 million on hand, a staggering sum that dwarfs what other mayoral candidates have been able to pull in so far. Major donations have come from both powerful unions as well as wealthy business people, such as real estate tycoon Neil Bluhm, who recently contributed $500,000 to the Giannoulias campaign, according to state records.
In comparison, Mendoza’s campaign committee reported about $1.6 million.
Johnson has had even greater fundraising woes, reporting only $631,000 in June. The incumbent mayor continues to dodge questions about when — or if — he will announce his reelection campaign.
Giannoulias also aired two new ads last month that fueled questions about his political future. The ads highlighted his work streamlining DMV services, opposing book bans and opposing President Donald Trump.
This is a breaking story. Stay tuned for updates.
