With coaxing from former City Council colleague Mell, Tunney warms to joining crowded race for mayor

Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) speaks at the grand opening of the AIDS Garden Chicago, near the Lakefront Trail, south of Belmont Harbor, in June. (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times)

With behind-the-scenes encouragement from perennial political power player Richard Mell, retiring Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) is warming to the possibility of joining the crowded field of candidates vying to replace Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

“He thinks I would be a good mayor. That’s all I can say,” Tunney, 67, said Monday. “He’s worked with me for years.”