
Chicago mayoral race: Why some of the 15 candidates could be knocked off the ballot
By David Gonzalez
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Candidate filing for next spring’s special mayoral election closed at 5 p.m. Monday, setting the field for the Feb. 23 primary at six candidates after one announced candidate didn’t file and another made a late entry. City Clerk Stephanie Mendoza and 2025 candidate Jeff Boarini, who ran against Mayor Daniel Biss in 2025, filed when the period opened last Monday. Former Councilmembers Jane Grover and Ann Rainey filed later in the week. Two more candidates arrived in the final hour Monday: Gilo Logan, an author and equity consultant, and Jeff Smith, president of the Central Street Neighbors Association. Smith previously ran for mayor in 2017 and had not publicly announced his candidacy before Monday. Gilo Logan (left) submits his petitions and other candidacy paperwork Monday evening with Deputy City Clerk Lara Zalmezak. Credit: Alex Harrison The only other publicly announced candidate still in the race, union steward Elliot Oats, did not show up to file and will not appear on t