The Latest Breaking News from Ashlee Rezin

How Johnson did it: Flawless execution of ‘smart typical playbook in Chicago politics’ won mayoral race

Johnson won 29 of 50 wards, including a clean sweep of majority African-American wards. He won six Hispanic majority wards to Vallas’ nine. Johnson sealed the deal along the progressive-minded north lakefront and the hipster Milwaukee Avenue corridor.

Chicago Sun-Times · Apr 6, 2023

Long to-do list looms for new Mayor Johnson

From assembling a staff and cabinet to speeding up police hiring and devising a plan to stop the usual summer surge of violent crime, the new mayor has his work cut out for him. No wonder so many would-be contenders took a pass.

Chicago Sun-Times · Apr 5, 2023

Scandal-plagued Gardiner wins re-election in 45th Ward, newcomer holds slim lead in 30th Ward

Ald. James Gardiner received more than 55% of the votes in his race, leading attorney Megan Mathias to concede. In the 30th Ward, Ruth Cruz garnered over 51% of the vote against Jessica Gutiérrez, though mail-in ballots still need to be tallied.

Chicago Sun-Times · Apr 5, 2023

Some Discount Mall vendors say extension came too late: ‘The city did us wrong’

About 40 vendors got a six-week extension Monday afternoon, but most already had packed up. “They waited until the last moment to tell us,” said Griselda Estrada, standing in the store where she’s worked nearly 30 years.

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 28, 2023

Chicago Corporation Counsel Celia Meza resigns

Meza, the first Latina to serve as the city’s chief attorney, told her staff another job opportunity was too great to pass up, sources say.

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 28, 2023

If a hospital still asks you to mask up, do it

Advocate Health is relaxing its pandemic rules on mask-wearing and patient visitation, but many hospitals are keeping their mask mandates.

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 28, 2023

Battle of the Scotts: Rivals share last name, some ideas in West Side’s 24th Ward runoff

Ald. Monique Scott, who was appointed to the role less than a year ago, is facing Creative Scott, a small-business owner and political outsider. While their histories differ, the two candidates share more than the same last name.

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 27, 2023

Taking a Daley out of 11th Ward seat easier than taking Daley’s out of ward race

With former Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson’s conviction, it may seem that the Daley family’s grip on the 11th Ward is slipping. But despite boundary and demographic changes in the ward, the Daleys and their allies are still exerting influence.

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 26, 2023

New voices — with a few familiar names —battle for City Council microphones in 10th, and 30th wards

Residents in both wards want stronger public safety and more community investment. And each race features some political newcomers with last names that might ring a bell with some residents.

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 24, 2023

Scandal-prone Ald. Gardiner mum about reelection bid against rival who feels ‘great about going into the runoff’

Ald. Jim Gardiner did not respond to the Sun-Times’ requests for an interview about his runoff campaign. Challenger Megan Mathias said many residents complained to her about Gardiner’s inaccessibility but hesitated to donate to her campaign because they “feared retaliation.”

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 24, 2023