From top left across, Ald. Monique Scott, Creative Scott, Vetress Boyce and Edward Ward. From bottom left across, Traci "Treasure" Johnson, Drewone Goldsmith and Luther Woodruff. Not pictured is Larry Nelson. [Courtesy photos] 

Despite an eight-way race for 24th Ward alderman, no challenger has been able to compete in the fundraising sphere with the incumbent, who was handpicked by the mayor last year. The 24th Ward includes North Lawndale and a part of Little Village.

Seated from left to right: Ed Mullen, attorney for petition challenger; Andrew Finko, attorney for Shawn Walker; and candidate Shawn Walker. [Erin Hegarty/The Daily Line] 

A candidate who was initially kicked off the ballot in the race for 28th Ward alderman but reinstated following an order from the Illinois Appellate Court will remain on the ballot following a Tuesday decision from the Chicago Electoral Board. 

From top left across, William Hall, Kim Egonmwan, Aja Kearney, second row across from left Patrick Brutus, Paul Bryson and Sharon Pincham and third row across from left Barbara Bunville, Kirby Birgans and Richard Wooten. Tavares Briggs is in the bottom left corner, and Sylvester Baker is not pictured. [Courtesy photos]

Despite a crowded race to fill the 6th Ward seat being vacated by mayoral candidate Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6), one candidate has outpaced others in fundraising in the final weeks before the election, according to public campaign finance data as of Feb. 17. 

The South Side ward includes Auburn-Gresham, Chatham, Chesterfield, Englewood, Greater Grand Crossing and Park Manor.

Mueze Bawany in line waiting to file gathered signatures to be on the ballot. [Don Vincent | The Daily Line]

The Chicago chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) confirmed Tuesday it has rescinded its endorsement of Mueze Bawany in the race for 50th Ward alderman. 

From top left, Ald. Timmy Knudsen, Wendi Taylor Nations and Rebecca Janowitz, and from bottom left, Brian Comer, Steve Botsford and Steven McClellan. [Provided photos]

Aside from a massive self-funded campaign effort, the incumbent in the race for Chicago’s 43rd Ward remains the candidate drawing the most money from donors even as the previous alderman has endorsed one of his opponents. The ward includes Lincoln Park, Old Town and Gold Coast. 

Ald. Timmy Knudsen (43) has served as alderman since September following the departure of former Ald. Michele Smith last August. Mayor Lori Lightfoot picked Knudsen, former chair of the Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals, out of 17 applicants to succeed Smith. Some of those applicants are running in this year’s election.

Early voting in all 50 wards began Monday. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line] 

Just two weeks out from the Feb. 28 municipal election, 11,728 people had voted early at in-person sites by the end of Monday — the first day early voting sites were open in all 50 wards.  

The number of ballots cast early so far this year is nearly double the number cast 15 days out from Election Day in 2019 and slightly more than double the number of ballots cast early 15 days out from Election Day in 2015, according to information from the Chicago Board of Elections. 

From top left, Lamont Robinson, Tracey Bey and Helen West; from bottom left, Prentice Butler, Ebony Lucas and Khari Humphries. [Provided photos]

There is a six-way contest to fill the 4th Ward seat currently held by Ald. Sophia King (4), a progressive who has served on the City Council since 2016. King is vacating her position as she runs for mayor of Chicago. But one candidate in the race to succeed her has amassed a war chest in comparison to his opponents. 

The 4th Ward includes Hyde Park, Oakland, North Kenwood, South Loop, Grand Boulevard, Douglas and Museum Campus.

Nine candidates are running to be the next mayor of the city of Chicago, and after winning the Feb. 28 election and a likely runoff election April 4, whoever wins will need to work with the 50 aldermen on the City Council to pass annual budgets and usher through legislation to fulfill their campaign promises and address issues Chicagoans are facing throughout the city.  

From left across, Joe Dunne and Nick Ward, from left on second row Nassir Faulkner, Andre Peloquin, Isaac Freilich Jones and Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, and from left on third row Larry Svabek, Andy Peters, Roxanne Volkmann and Brian Haag. [Provided photos] 

In the crowded race to replace retiring Ald. Harry Osterman (48) in the North Side ward that includes Edgewater, Andersonville and parts of Uptown, two contenders have emerged as top fundraisers in the 10-way contest.

Osterman, who’s served as alderman since 2011, has endorsed Joe Dunne, the vice president of Real Estate Development for Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation. Dunne and progressive community organizer Nick Ward’s campaigns have received more than half of all reported donations in the race in the past five months as of Feb. 10, according to public campaign finance data.

A DoorDash delivery bag sits on a scooter [Courtesy photo]

The company behind one of the country’s largest food delivery apps has poured tens of thousands of dollars into Chicago’s municipal races to back incumbents and challengers alike at the same time as city lawmakers mull reforms which could give more power to drivers. 

Most of the company’s large donations, ranging between $2,500 and $10,000 contributions, have been made in City Council races that are or were contested before successful petition challenges kicked candidates off the ballot, though some candidates running unopposed also received large donations.