Chicago’s new ward and precinct maps includes 779 fewer precincts. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

While the new ward and precinct maps the Chicago Board of Elections released on Tuesday includes 779 fewer precincts than the previous map, voters won’t see a drastic decrease in the number of polling places for the Nov. 8 General Election, according to election officials.

Voters next year will choose people to serve on district councils created under an ordinance establishing civilian oversight over the Chicago Police Department [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

Next year, Chicago voters for the first time will elect members of district councils to represent them based on the police district in which they live.

The three-member district councils across the city’s 22 police districts were created under the civilian oversight ordinance (SO2019-4132) aldermen approved last year, establishing Chicago’s first-ever citywide commission meant to provide oversight of the Chicago Police Department.

Related: City Council approves long-sought civilian oversight of CPD, but supporters say there is still work ‘to be done’

Ald. Sophia King (4) announced on Wednesday that she plans to run for mayor in 2023 (Don Vincent/The Daily Line)

Ald. Sophia King (4) announced on Wednesday that she is running for mayor in 2023, becoming the third sitting alderman to announce a challenge against Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

Ald. Michele Smith (43) speaks at a March 2022 City Council meeting. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

Lincoln Park Ald. Michele Smith (43) will retire from the City Council next month, capping her City Council career at 11 years and giving Mayor Lori Lightfoot her third opportunity this year to appoint a new alderman, she announced on Thursday.

The sudden announcement, citing a desire to spend more time with family and friends, comes one day after Smith scored a major legislative victory with the City Council’s passage of an ethics reform ordinance she championed.

Ald. Harry Osterman (48) during an April City Council meeting. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line] 

Ald. Harry Osterman (48) will not seek a fourth term as alderman of the North Side ward that includes Edgewater, Andersonville and parts of Uptown, he announced in an email to constituents on Friday. 

“As someone who deeply loves this community this was not an easy decision. However, I feel that the time is right to make this transition,” wrote in his letter announcing his retirement. “I will continue to serve and work on behalf of our community as Alderman for the remainder of my term, which will end next May.” 

Aldermanic hopefuls have already begun fundraising and campaigning for the 2023 municipal election [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

With the Illinois Gubernatorial Primary Election in the rear-view mirror, campaign work is shifting to next year’s citywide elections, when voters will decide how to fill all 50 Chicago aldermanic seats as well as the Mayor’s chair.

Rep. Kam Buckner [D-Chicago] speaks at a campaign announcement event in the South Loop Thursday. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) on Thursday became the third person to officially announce a challenge against Mayor Lori Lightfoot in next year’s Chicago mayoral race.

Buckner, whose name has been swirling for months as a likely candidate for Chicago mayor, made the announcement Thursday outside of TeaPotBrew Bakery in the South Loop to a crowd of about four-dozen people. The bakery is included in his state house district which stretches from South Chicago north to the Gold Coast. 

“A mayor’s job is not just to fight for the sake of fighting. It’s time to bring the people together,” Buckner said during his announcement event as the sun beat down and the temperature pushed past 90 degrees. “We want our mayor to be fearless and compassionate to get things done.” 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) speaks during an event launching his 2023 mayoral campaign. [Erin Hegarty / The Daily Line]

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15), one of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s loudest critics on the City Council, on Wednesday officially announced he plans to run for mayor in 2023. During his official campaign launch at The Plant in Back of the Yard, Lopez said he plans to “focus on safety, rebuilding our economy and supporting our first responders and city employees that serve the taxpayers of the city of Chicago.”