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Chicago’s Power Players Sound Off: City Charter Debate, CPS Cellphone Bans and the 2028 Election
By: Thom Serafin
March 17, 2025
You can listen to the latest Power Poll podcast here.
Chicagoans are never short on opinions, whether it’s about deep-dish vs thin crust or if the Bears will figure things out in the upcoming season.
When it comes to how their city is governed, turns out there may be a fundamental missing piece: a city charter.
Rep. Kam Buckner recently wrote in the Chicago Tribune that Chicago is the largest city in America without a city charter. No governing document, no foundational rules that define how power is distributed, how decisions are made, and what rights the people have in relation to their government. We asked: Of the top ten cities in the USA, only Chicago is without a charter. Do you think Chicago’s government needs a city charter?
- 58% say YES
- 21% say NO
- 21% are UNCERTAIN
Chicago’s Cell Phone Problem: Time to Hang Up?
If you’ve ever seen a group of teenagers attempt to make eye contact with anything other than their screens, you won’t be surprised at this question: should cell phones be banned in Chicago Public Schools (CPS)?
- 68% say YES
- 23% say NO
- 10% are UNCERTAIN
School districts across the country have experimented with bans, citing distractions and social issues. As the Power Poll has found, perhaps Chicago may be the next city to make motion in this space.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Washington D.C. Cameo
Mayor Brandon Johnson recently faced the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform concerning immigration enforcement. We asked for Chicago’s reaction.
- 8% He did a good job answering the questions
- 28% He did a good job avoiding the questions
- 18% He did a good job for the city of Chicago
- 29% He did a not-so good job for the city of Chicago
- 16% No Opinion
Chicagoans seem divided on Mayor Johnson’s appearance in D.C.
President Trump’s Track Record
President Donald Trump is still making waves since his second term began back in January. But, do Chicago’s power players think he’s on the right track with his recent policies and actions?
- 10% Yes, his policies are widely supported and effective.
- 57% No, his actions have faced significant legal and public backlash
- 21% It’s too early to tell, as the outcomes are still unfolding
- 12% Opinions are divided, with strong support and opposition.
As the numbers suggest President Trump’s actions have faced significant backlash.
Is Gov. Pritzker Running for President? (Spoiler: Probably.)
Illinois Governor. J.B. Pritzker has been making his rounds lately from making speeches opposing President Trump to appearing on national news. Coincidence or is he eyeing the White House? Let’s find out:
- 0% No, the Governor is not running for president
- 25% It sure sounds like he is, but I am not sure
- 46% Yes, the governor is running for President
- 14% I’d like him to run for president
- 12% I don’t want him to run
- 3% Uncertain
At this point, the poll suggest that Pritzker’s national presence feels like more than just Illinois pride- is it a warm-up for a national run?
Final Thoughts: What This Month’s Poll Says About Chicago
Chicagoans are calling for clearer governance and stricter school policies. Meanwhile Mayor Johnson’s performance and President Trump’s policies remain divisive, all the while Governor Pritzker is possibly inching closer a national run.
But, one thing’s for sure: Chicago always has excellent opinions.
Stay tuned for next month’s Power Poll.
Note: The Serafin Power Poll isn’t a scientific survey, but like Chicago weather, it gives you a pretty good idea of which way the wind is blowing. The poll represents the views of regional decision-makers and thought leaders in the Chicago metropolitan area.
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