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42nd Ward alderman election 2027: candidates and the incumbent's record
The 42nd Ward seat on the Chicago City Council is on the ballot February 23, 2027. The ward includes Millennium Park, Magnificent Mile, Grant Park, Streeterville, Rush & Division, Loop, River North, Gold Coast. The current alderperson is Brendan Reilly. If no candidate wins more than half the vote, the top two meet in a runoff April 6, 2027. Chicago's elections are nonpartisan.
Candidates
Candidate filing is open (October 19, 2026, to October 26, 2026). No filings for the 42nd Ward are listed here yet: we add candidates from the Board's published filings, each linked to its source. For the latest, see the Board's candidate page.
Campaign committees registered for this race
These people have a campaign committee registered with the Illinois State Board of Elections that names this race. That isn't the same as being on the ballot: candidates file nominating papers with the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, and appear under Candidates once the Board lists them. Many candidates, including most incumbents, don't update their committee's race, so this list is incomplete.
| Name | Campaign committee | Registered |
|---|---|---|
| Brendan Reilly (incumbent) | Citizens for Reilly | Oct 21, 2005 |
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections, as of Oct 21, 2026.
A side-by-side comparison of the candidates' public filings (Board of Elections and Illinois State Board of Elections) appears here once candidates file.
The incumbent's report card: Brendan Reilly
From the City Clerk's records for the term that began May 15, 2023, and campaign filings with the Illinois State Board of Elections. The median is the middle value among the 50 sitting alderpersons. What counts as a key vote · Full profile.
| Measure | Brendan Reilly | Council median |
|---|---|---|
| Attendance at key roll calls | 100% | 100% |
| With the majority on contested (divided) roll calls | 74.7% | 87.4% |
| Nay votes on key legislation | 22 | 12 |
| Legislation filed as lead sponsor (non-routine) | 191 | 57.5 |
| Of those, reached final action | 145 | 43.5 |
| Raised this term (itemized, $150+) | $4,924,456 | $358,915 |
| Share of itemized dollars from Chicago addresses (since 2019) | 77% | 72% |
| Share from outside Chicago | 23% | 29% |
| Share from ZIP codes in the ward (approximate) | 41% | n/a |
| Contributions from registered City lobbyists | $147,224 | $49,779 |
| Cash on hand | $366,997 (Sep 30, 2026) | $148,132 |
Committees: Budget and Government Operations, Committees and Rules, Economic, Capital and Technology Development, Environmental Protection and Energy, Ethics and Government Oversight, Finance, License and Consumer Protection, Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards.
Legislation sponsored, by category
| Category | Items |
|---|---|
| Signs/Signboards | 100 |
| Municipal Code Amendments | 58 |
| Alley | 7 |
| City Council | 6 |
| Streets | 5 |
| Committee/Public Hearings | 4 |
| Top donors since 2019 | Total | Gifts |
|---|---|---|
| Howard R. Labkon | $210,000 | 5 |
| Brendan Reilly | $200,002 | 2 |
| Jim Perry | $170,000 | 3 |
| Matthew Bayer | $160,000 | 2 |
| Megan O'Keefe | $150,000 | 2 |
| Anthony Davis | $150,000 | 1 |
| Disney Worldwide Services, Inc | $132,260 | 2 |
| Gerald Beeson | $130,000 | 3 |
| Donald R. Wilson | $126,000 | 3 |
| 42nd Ward Democratic Organization | $120,000 | 1 |
| Lobbyists who gave | Total | Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| Mary Minaghan Dba Mkm Services | $10,500 | 7 |
| John Dunn | $8,500 | 9 |
| Robert Gamrath | $8,000 | 11 |
| Michael Houlihan | $7,500 | 7 |
| John George | $7,500 | 7 |
Money near votes: $10,156 across 8 key roll calls from interests tied to the legislation, in the 365 days before the vote.
Money near a vote is not evidence that it influenced the vote. The ward share is approximate: ZIP codes don't follow ward lines. Donor and lobbyist flags are name matches. Sources: Illinois State Board of Elections and the City of Chicago Board of Ethics. All of their campaign money.
Who lives in the 42nd Ward
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | 56,367 |
| Median household income | $143,425 |
| Median age | 34.4 |
| Homes that are rented | 60% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree | 88% |
| Residents below the poverty line | 6% |
| Latino, White, Black, Asian residents | 10%, 61%, 5%, 19% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2022 5-year, tracts assigned to the 2023 wards by their internal point. Neighborhoods, largest share in the ward first: City of Chicago, Boundaries - Neighborhoods (y6yq-dbs2) and Community Areas (igwz-8jzy); wards by area overlap (at least 5% of the neighborhood).
Key dates
- Candidates may start circulating nominating petitions Chicago Board of Elections
- Next Candidate filing period: nominating papers are filed with the Board. Alderperson candidates need at least 473 valid signatures from voters in their ward. Chicago Board of Elections
- Objection period: voters may challenge a candidate's nominating papers Chicago Board of Elections
- Last day to withdraw; the Board certifies the candidates on the ballot Chicago Board of Elections
- Last day to file as a write-in candidate. Later (Feb. 16, 2027) if an objection is sustained after this date. Chicago Board of Elections
- To be confirmed Early voting locations and hours. The Board publishes the schedule between Jan. 3 and Jan. 9, 2027. Chicago Board of Elections
- Early voting: earliest start through the day before the election. Jan. 14 is the earliest date the law allows; the Board's schedule sets the actual days. Chicago Board of Elections
- Last day of regular voter registration. Grace-period registration and voting continue in person through Election Day. Chicago Board of Elections
- Last day to apply for a mail ballot by mail or online Chicago Board of Elections
- Election Day (polls open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.) Chicago Board of Elections
- Runoff early voting: earliest start through the day before the runoff Chicago Board of Elections
- Last day for the Board to proclaim the February results Chicago Board of Elections
- Runoff, in wards where no candidate won more than half the vote Chicago Board of Elections
- New Council term begins at noon Chicago Board of Elections
More
- Brendan Reilly's full profile: votes, legislation, money and meetings
- Who's running for alderman in every ward, with signature counts
- Find your ward
- Chicago Board of Election Commissioners: candidate filings, registration and polling places
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How we list candidates, and our corrections policy · All 2027 races · Election calendar · Objections