Election Day in Chicago: Everything you need to know about Tuesday’s vote for mayor, City Council and police district council

Chicago voters will be casting ballots for mayor, members of the City Council and, for the first time in city history, members of police district councils on Tuesday.

Early voting —both in person and by mail — has been ongoing for weeks. But if you haven’t made your choices yet, we have organized our coverage to help you make up your mind. We have scores of stories about the mayoral race and the nine candidates running for mayor, including incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot. We also have tackled the biggest of the 50 aldermanic races, as well as a primer on the police councils. What’s more, we have everything you need to know about the process of voting.

While it might feel like it has been a long road getting here, we won’t be done after the ballots are cast in this election. In the races for mayor and City Council, if no single candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote getters will face off again in a runoff five weeks later, on April 4. So save some of that energy. We’re all going to need it.

Be sure to bookmark chicagotribune.com/elections to read our full election coverage on Tuesday and get live results.

Here’s what you need to know before Election Day on Tuesday.

Casting your vote

You can vote early — and early turnout is high, thanks to mail-in ballots. In Chicago, residents can vote at any early voting site regardless of what ward they live in. Here’s how and where to cast your ballot.

Last November was supposed to be the first time Chicago polling places were fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Instead, as voters cast their ballots in city elections through Tuesday, just over a third of the polling places — often schools, park district facilities, libraries or churches — are fully accessible by ADA standards.

And if you’re wondering why Chicagoans are voting in February, here’s why.

Chicago mayor’s race

There are nine candidates running to be Chicago’s next mayor. Meet each of the candidates, read how they answered our questionnaire and search their campaign contributions.

As the election nears, candidates are in the final push for every last vote.

Catch up on our election coverage and the issues at hand for Chicago’s next mayor:

Ghost buses, CTA budget woes, shared streets: Transportation challenges ahead for Chicago’s next mayor

Pension debt, property taxes, budget holes: Chicago’s next mayor faces huge financial problems

Declining enrollment, empty schools, union battles: Mayoral candidates grapple with big challenges in Chicago Public Schools

Just let the Bears go? Chicago’s mayoral candidates on what they’d do to keep the team — and what happens to Soldier Field.

Lori Lightfoot came out of nowhere to win the 2019 Chicago mayor’s race. Can a lesser-known challenger do the same this time?

White voters helped propel Lori Lightfoot to the mayor’s office in 2019. Will they stick with her in February?

What the tax returns of Chicago mayoral candidates show about their money — and which contender refused to release them

Super PACs playing bigger role in mayor’s race, hiding donors

A hundred years ago, Chicago elected a reform mayor. He was voted out four years later.

Here are some of stories Tribune reporters have written about the candidates.

Lori Lightfoot

Mayor Lori Lightfoot accuses rival Paul Vallas of ‘dog whistle’ over ‘take our city back’ comments

Mayor Lightfoot backtracks after telling people who support her rivals, ‘Don’t vote’

O’Hare and Mayor Lori Lightfoot address homelessness at the airport after social media uproar

Mayor Lightfoot still sees chance to stop Bears’ move to Arlington Heights: ‘We want to do everything we can’

Bears’ land deal comes 2 weeks before mayor’s election. Could a team move wound Lori Lightfoot?

Lori Lightfoot takes aim at Brandon Johnson as mayoral race enters final two weeks: ‘Do not be taken in by the false prophets’

After criticism and ethical questions, Mayor Lori Lightfoot says campaign will stop emailing CPS teachers asking for student volunteers

Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s signature Invest South/West program is 3 years old. But some of its big projects were already planned when she took office.

Jesús “Chuy” García

Chuy García gets personal in latest Chicago mayor campaign ad: ‘I nearly lost my son to the gangs’

Ex-Gov. Pat Quinn endorses ‘Chuy’ García for Chicago mayor; Black faith leaders line up behind Lightfoot

Chicago’s Latino voters could be key in the mayor race. Will they back ‘Uncle’ Chuy García or a rival?

Mayor candidate ‘Chuy’ García says he doesn’t know why Sam Bankman-Fried contributed to his campaign: ‘I don’t know the gentleman’

Mayoral candidate Jesús ‘Chuy’ García vows ‘accountability’ and ‘respect’ for police in safety plan; Lightfoot says he’s copying her ideas

In mayor’s race, ‘Chuy’ García floats property tax relief grants

Mayoral candidate ‘Chuy’ García airs first TV ad, vows to bring back ‘safer Chicago’

‘Chuy’ García gets $1 million from labor union as race for Chicago mayor enters ballot-challenge phase

As candidates for Chicago mayor jockey for union support, Rep. García lands a big labor endorsement

Brandon Johnson

Brandon Johnson once said it was a ‘political goal’ to defund police. He’s been less precise running for mayor.

Anjanette Young endorses Brandon Johnson for Chicago mayor on anniversary of botched police raid on her home

Chicago Teachers Union’s big spending on Brandon Johnson for mayor draws criticism over union influence and pushback among some members

In mayor’s race, Brandon Johnson unveils public safety plan

Top Lightfoot ally throws support behind Brandon Johnson for mayor

Paul Vallas

Paul Vallas blames unnamed hackers for his Twitter account’s likes of offensive posts

Mayoral challenger Paul Vallas has promoted his schools resume, but blemishes garner scrutiny

Paul Vallas’ Twitter account liked offensive, racist posts. He denies doing it himself and denounces ‘abhorrent’ views.

Mayoral contender Paul Vallas disappointed in police union over ‘right-wing extremist’ Ron DeSantis’ speech in Elmhurst

Mayoral candidate Paul Vallas insists he’s a lifelong Democrat. But he’s backed by conservative donors and the FOP.

Paul Vallas campaign defends his son, 1 of 3 police officers who fatally shot a man in Texas last year

Ald. Tom Tunney backs Paul Vallas for mayor

Chicago police union endorses Paul Vallas for mayor

How the Tribune covered the forums

Candidates pile on Brandon Johnson in last mayoral debate before election: ‘You are a fraud’

Mayor Lori Lightfoot defends CPS students during mayoral forum, criticizes moderator: ‘You’re describing them as if they’re dumb’

Mayoral candidates sound off on CTA, crime: ‘I am … pissed off that buses are dirty’

Protesters disrupt Chicago mayoral forum as candidates exchange personal attacks

Mayoral candidates bicker over police reform, schools as Mayor Lightfoot criticizes rival for ‘mansplaining’

Mayoral candidates clash at forum: ‘Don’t lecture me about schools’

Crime takes center stage at forum as Mayor Lori Lightfoot interrupts opponents and moderator to defend record

Candidates Ja’Mal Green and Sophia King take aim at Mayor Lightfoot’s leadership style

‘You brought chaos’: Mayor Lightfoot defends record against challengers ‘Chuy’ García and Brandon Johnson

Chicago mayoral candidates share ideas on city investment, schools and crime

In first Chicago mayoral debate, challengers attack Lori Lightfoot’s record while she aims to ‘finish the job we have started’

Mayor Lori Lightfoot pounces on challenger Paul Vallas during punchy women’s forum

Aldermen elections

Many Chicagoans are voting in a new ward this year after a redistricting battle. Not sure which ward you live in? Use our interactive tool.

Read how aldermanic candidates answered our questionnaire and see who the Editorial Board is endorsing.

From newly drawn districts to a wave of aldermanic exits, Tribune reporters have covered a number of hotly contested races. Here are some of the stories:

1st Ward: A rematch — and more — in competitive 1st Ward race to represent Wicker Park, Logan Square

4th, 5th and 10th Wards: Change ahead for South Side lakefront as candidates vie for 3 open City Council seats

6th and 21st Wards: Candidates in City Council races seek to recapture glory of city’s Black middle class

11th, 12th, 24th and 43rd Wards: City Council members appointed by Mayor Lightfoot find ties to her are a double-edged sword

14th Ward: The proxy battle to replace Ald. Edward Burke is between allies of the indicted outgoing alderman and ‘Chuy’ García

19th Ward: Candidates on the Southwest Side stake out positions on the left, right and the middle

20th Ward: Ald. Jeanette Taylor aims to fend off rivals to her 20th Ward seat, where persistent challenges abound

23rd Ward: Shadow of Michael Madigan looms in fight for 23rd Ward alderman

27th, 28th, 29th and 37th Wards: There’s major turnover on the City Council, but aldermen on West Side look to keep things status quo

33rd Ward: Machine politics still front and center in race for 33rd Ward alderman

34th Ward: Chicago’s new 34th Ward set to play key role as city looks to reenergize downtown

36th Ward: Shaped like a playground seesaw, new 36th Ward brings three challengers looking to knock off incumbent

45th Ward: Embattled Ald. Jim Gardiner’s fitness is key issue in race for 45th Ward

46th and 48th Wards: In lakefront wards on the North Side, voters can chart a new course as two longtime aldermen retire

50th Ward: As more deleted tweets emerge, challenger aims to shift focus to rival: ‘I hope Ald. Silverstein’s record receives as much scrutiny’

Endorsements

Here are the baiduhai Editorial Board endorsements in the Feb. 28 city election. Endorsements are made only in contested races. You can take this with you to the polls (Yes, it’s legal.) Click here for a version you can download and print.

Chicago’s police council

For the 1st time ever, Chicago voters will elect police councils. Here’s what it means for communities.

Chicago’s new ward map

Type your address into the search box below.

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Source: City of Chicago

Which police district do I live in?

Type your address into the search box below.

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