* Click here for some background if you need it. NBC Chicago’s Mary Ann Ahern…

Lawsuit by #ChiMayor27 candidate Bill Quinlan - on candidates running for multiple offices - dismissed.

— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) October 14, 2026

* Bill Quinlan…

Democratic mayoral candidate Bill Quinlan today announced he will appeal a Cook County Circuit Court ruling in his election lawsuit, Quinlan v. Giannoulias, et al. The suit asks the court to declare that Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas cannot run for reelection on Nov. 3 and for Mayor of Chicago at the same time.

Following this morning’s hearing, Judge Eve M. Reilly ruled that the claim is not yet ripe for a decision and did not rule on the merits: whether Illinois law allows a candidate to seek two incompatible offices at once.

“Today’s ruling was about timing, not substance,” Quinlan said. “The court did not rule on whether Alexi Giannoulias, Mike Quigley and Maria Pappas can run for two incompatible offices at once. That question is still wide open, which is why we will appeal and seek a definitive answer before voters cast their ballots on Nov. 3.”

* JB for Governor…

Today, Governor JB Pritzker was endorsed by former Secretary of State Jesse White, who has dedicated his life to public service and proudly represented the people of Illinois with his fierce leadership.

In a new video, Secretary White highlighted Gov. Pritzker’s record of delivering for working families and his responsible leadership that keeps Illinois moving forward.

WATCH HERE

“Jesse White is one of the greatest public servants in the history of Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “As a veteran, an athlete, a teacher, a coach, and an elected official, he has lived his entire life in service of others. I am honored to receive his endorsement and build on our shared commitment to serving the state we love.”

“I am proud to endorse Governor Pritzker because he is the right person for the job,” said former Secretary of State Jesse White. “He’s done a great job as governor, and we want him to continue along that path, delivering for Illinoisans across the state.”

Gov. Pritzker is running for a third term to continue building an Illinois that works for everyone by raising wages, lowering costs, protecting rights and freedoms, and increasing opportunity for every Illinoisan.

* The House Republican Organization…

The House Republican Organization released a new ad calling out Maria Peterson, candidate for State Representative, for suggesting homeowners shouldn’t be able to appeal their property taxes.

At a recent candidate forum, Peterson criticized State Representative Martin McLaughlin for hosting public meetings to help constituents understand how to appeal their property tax assessments.

Apparently, helping families get relief from the country’s highest property taxes is a problem for Maria Peterson, showing just how far outside the mainstream her positions are.

Legislators on both sides of the aisle have hosted similar events. Does Peterson have a problem with her fellow Democrats doing the same thing?

“Maria Peterson thinks your family should keep paying sky-high property taxes instead of getting the relief you deserve, a view voters have rightly rejected three times and will reject again in November,” said Mark Cavers, Political Director for the House Republican Organization. “While hardworking families are struggling to make ends meet, Peterson is criticizing efforts to help them lower their property tax bills. There is a reason voters keep rejecting her extreme positions.”

The ad is now running on streaming platforms and Meta and can be viewed here.

* WBEZ…

Candidates vying to be the first elected president of the Chicago School Board will face hard questions Wednesday about how they plan to navigate declining enrollment, improve academic performance and a pending financial crisis.

A forum, sponsored by WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times and Chalkbeat Chicago, will be broadcast at 8 p.m on 91.5 FM. The forum will also be streamed on YouTube with a discussion moderated by WBEZ and Chalkbeat journalists.

In addition to the moderator’s questions, Chicago Public Schools students will have an opportunity to ask questions.

* Politico…

— School Board president race: Jessica Biggs has logged a handful of endorsements from the Chicago City Council, as well as a few other supporters. Here’s the list […]

— School board races: The Latino Leadership Council has endorsed 10 candidates running for district seats on the Chicago Board of Education. Here’s the list

* Daily Southtown…

Despite failing to make it on the Nov. 3 ballot, a Calumet City alderman hopes 29th District voters will write in her name as an alternative to incumbent Rep. Thaddeus Jones, who is also Calumet City mayor.

A fierce critic of Jones on the City Council, 2nd Ward Ald. Monet Wilson said she would seek to amend the SAFE-T Act and push for immediate property tax relief in Springfield. […]

Wilson ran as a Democrat against Jones in the 2022 primary for state representative, receiving 21% of the vote to Jones’ 79%, according to the Cook County clerk’s office. Jones has represented the 29th District in the Illinois General Assembly since 2011. […]

State campaign finance disclosure reports for the July-September quarter were not available as of Tuesday. Wilson’s campaign lacked contributions or expenses during the April-June quarter, as well as any available funds.

Jones’ campaign spent $28,400 and received $29,600 during the April-June period. Committee reports show the campaign had about $39,500 available at the end of June.

* Related…

* Daily Southtown | David Dewar vies for Democratic Rep. Mary Gill’s seat in 35th District: or a second time, Republican David Dewar is challenging incumbent Mary Gill in the 35th House District, which includes all or parts of Alsip, Beverly, Mount Greenwood, Orland Park, Merrionette Park and Palos Park. Gill, a member of the House Democratic moderate caucus, has held the seat since March 2023. Dewar, a Calumet Park native and financial adviser, ran as a Democrat in the 2022 and 2024 primaries. However, he was removed from the 2022 ballot after an Illinois election board upheld an objection to his campaign. He proceeded to run as a write-in candidate and received six votes, according to election results.

* NYT | Mayors Are Filming Videos, Mamdani-Style, With Varying Degrees of Cringe: Susana Mendoza, the Illinois state comptroller and a candidate for mayor of Chicago, was not going to let the crummy weather get in her way. She had videos to shoot. Sheltered on a drizzly recent afternoon under the overhang of a building along the Chicago River, Ms. Mendoza, in a black suit, high heels and her signature updo, faced a cellphone held aloft by a staffer — then flubbed her line. “I’m the only candidate for mayor with the financial management experience and backbone to manage this crisis,” she said confidently, pointing at the camera as she walked. Tackle the crisis, an aide corrected. Ms. Mendoza clapped her hands, then jogged in reverse to try the shot once more.

* Press release | Governor JB Pritzker, Christian Mitchell Receive Endorsement from Major Healthcare Organizations at Healthcare Workers for JB Event: Today, Governor JB Pritzker and lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Christian Mitchell received the endorsements of the Illinois State Medical Society and Mental Health PAC. Members of Planned Parenthood Illinois Action and the Illinois Pharmacists Association were also in attendance to support Gov. Pritzker and Mitchell.