
By: Robert Klaus
January 13, 2023
Weâre just under six weeks away from the February 28 municipal elections, where Chicagoans will vote for â among other positions â the Cityâs chief executive for the next four years. The list of candidates has been finalized at nine, meaning Chicagoans will choose between incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot, JaâMal Green, Ald. Sophia King, state Rep. Kam Buckner, Willie Wilson, Commissioner Brandon Johnson, Paul Vallas, Ald. Roderick Sawyer and U.S. Rep. Jesus âChuyâ Garcia. But have Serafin Power Pollers already made up their minds about who theyâll be voting for? It was a dead heat, with 50% of respondents saying theyâve got their candidate picked and 46% saying their mind hasnât been made up. Another 4% said they were considering not voting.
If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote on February 28, there will be a runoff between the top two vote-getters on April 4. And Serafin Power Pollers seem to think the end of election season isnât quite in view yet: more than 90% donât think any of the nine candidates will earn a majority of the vote and that weâre headed for a runoff. Only 6% think weâll avoid a runoff and 4% werenât sure.
With elections come endorsements, but which ones really matter to Chicago voters? Of 11 options, Serafin Power Pollers said the support of the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times and the AFL-CIO were the most important in swaying voters. On the other hand, the recommendations of the Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Operating Engineers Local 150 and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle were ranked as the least important.
Illinois was set to become the first state to eliminate cash bail, when a key provision of the SAFE-T Act went into effect on January 1. But a Kankakee county judge ruled the legislationâs elimination of cash bail unconstitutional, which prevented the provision from going into effect. The Illinois Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on the cash bail provision in March, but in the meantime, we asked Serafin Power Pollers if they agree that the requirement for a cash bail should no longer be required by law. More than 46% didnât agree, saying that cash bail should remain, while 38% agreed that cash bail should be eliminated. A further 16% were unsure on the policy.
Chicago has received almost 4,000 migrants since the end of August, many bussed in from Texas. As a sanctuary city, Chicago has been providing shelters, meals and clothing for the migrants and is now asking the state to help cover these costs. Mayor Lightfoot wants $53.5 million for the migrant program from Springfield and a majority (60%) of Serafin Power Pollers think she should have it, with a further 33% saying the state shouldnât provide funds. 7% of respondents were unsure.