Latest news with #ChicagoMayor
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announces she's not running for reelection, keeps door open for Chicago mayoral run
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza said Wednesday she would not run for a fourth term in 2026 as the state's top fiscal officer, opening the door for her to challenge Brandon Johnson in what would be her second bid for Chicago mayor. 'I am announcing today that I will not be running for another term as your comptroller,' she said during a news conference at a restaurant in Little Village. 'It's been my truest honor and privilege to serve you in what has been the hardest and most fulfilling job I've had yet.' During her sometimes-emotional speech, Mendoza also clearly left open the door for another political run, saying she's 'definitely not done serving.' 'Moving forward, I'm going to figure out what the right move is for our family, for our city and for our state,' she said. (And) find out where I'm needed most. Stay tuned.' Mendoza's announcement comes one day after the Tribune noted speculation was growing that she wouldn't run for a fourth term. It also came just before Cook County Democrats gather later this week to approve their slate of candidates, including for statewide offices such as comptroller. By not appearing before slatemakers, Mendoza avoids putting county Democrats in the position of asking them to endorse her for a reelection bid that she may not make. Mendoza during her speech said she was making her announcement to give others time to pitch themselves for the job to Democrats and voters statewide. With Mendoza not running for reelection, it not only sparks speculation about her running in the Chicago mayoral race but also creates a statewide office opening in the already competitive 2026 election. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin's announcement earlier this year that he would retire at the end of his term launched a scramble among candidates looking to move up. U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Matteson and U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg are running to succeed Durbin, meaning their congressional seats open next year. Additionally, the 9th Congressional District seat is also open, as U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who has been in Congress since 1999, has announced her retirement at the end of her term. Mendoza, a former state representative and Chicago city clerk, ran for mayor in 2019. But she finished fifth in the first round of voting with 9% and missed the runoff election, which featured Lori Lightfoot against Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Lightfoot ultimately won that election but lost reelection in 2023 in a race that saw Johnson ascend to the top spot at City Hall. Mendoza won the comptroller's office in a 2016 special election to fill the unexpired term of the late Republican Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka. Mendoza used the position to sharply criticize one-term Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's fiscal policies, including a dispute Rauner had with then-House Speaker Michael Madigan that led to the state going two years without adopting a budget. As comptroller and in working with Pritzker's administration, Mendoza promptly cleared up a multibillion-dollar backlog of bills left by Rauner's administration. She also has pushed to increase the state's 'rainy day' fund. In recent months, she has used the comptroller's office as a platform to criticize Johnson's actions, including using an op-ed in the Chicago Tribune to accuse the mayor of pursuing a 'reckless fiscal course' for the Chicago Public Schools. In February text messages with Pritzker, Mendoza raised a rumor that United Airlines was looking to move its headquarters out of Chicago and warned of an 'absence of any semblance of competency coming out of the 5th floor,' a reference to the location of Johnson's office in City Hall. Mendoza may not be the only statewide elected official looking at a Chicago mayoral run. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is also believed to be considering a bid for mayor. Giannoulias is scheduled to appear on Friday before Cook County Democrats as he runs for a second term.
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Report: Chicago mayor's bodyguard suspended
A bodyguard for Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson has been suspended after he turned up to work drunk following a party to celebrate Donald Trump 's inauguration, according to a police report. Chicago Police Officer Josue Najera, 44, arrived for his 10-hour overnight shift guarding the mayor's residence at 9pm showing signs of intoxication, the report states. He was 'agitated' and 'speaking loudly' according to the report, which also described his behavior on the evening of January 20 as 'erratic'. When questioned by a supervising officer, Najera allegedly admitted to boozing the day away at a swanky event at the city's Trump Tower prior to his arrival. A subsequent breathalyzer test revealed Najera's blood alcohol content to be 0.134 percent - well over Illinois ' legal limit of 0.08 percent, according to Chicago Police Department internal affairs records. Following the test, Najera was stripped of his police powers, his gun was confiscated and he was taken to the 15th District station for further questioning. The next day, he turned in his ID, badge and hat shield. He has been reassigned to a different department within the police force. A 25-day suspension has been recommended but has not yet been served. Najera put the phone down when contacted for comment by Trump Tower hosted a viewing event from 10am to 3pm prior to Najera's shift. At around 7pm that night, he demanded that a uniformed colleague allow him to sit in a CPD squad car, according to the report. When a uniformed officer refused, Najera called the department's 18th District station to file a complaint against his colleague. A supervisor from the 18th District then contacted a sergeant overseeing the mayor's detail, leading to a confrontation when Najera arrived at the politician's home. 'PO Najera was agitated, speaking loudly and avoiding eye contact while explaining the event,' the sergeant wrote in a report. 'His behavior was very uncharacteristic and erratic from the normal behavior (the sergeant) knows PO Najera to display '(The sergeant) asked PO Najera if he had been drinking while at the Trump Tower and he said he was having fun with his family. '(The sergeant) again asked if PO Najera had anything to drink and PO Najera answered in the affirmative - Yes.' Najera claimed his last drink was consumed around 6:30 pm, two and a half hours before his shift began. Multiple CPD supervisors were notified following the sergeant's alleged outburst and the disciplinary process quickly followed. A CPD spokesperson said Najera has since been reassigned to the department's Alternate Response Section. Najera, who joined the Chicago Police Department in 2017, had been assigned to Johnson's security detail since August 2023. According to records cited by the Chicago Tribune , he has no prior misconduct complaints and has never been the subject of a Summary Punishment Action Request, an internal disciplinary measure for minor infractions. Neither the Chicago Police Department nor Mayor Johnson's office has publicly commented on the suspension.
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Democrat mayor's bodyguard is suspended over shocking act at work
A bodyguard for Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson has been suspended after he turned up to work drunk following a party to celebrate Donald Trump 's inauguration, according to a police report. Chicago Police Officer Josue Najera, 44, arrived for his 10-hour overnight shift guarding the mayor's residence at 9pm showing signs of intoxication, the report states. He was 'agitated' and 'speaking loudly' according to the report, which also described his behavior on the evening of January 20 as 'erratic'. When questioned by a supervising officer, Najera allegedly admitted to boozing the day away at a swanky event at the city's Trump Tower prior to his arrival. A subsequent breathalyzer test revealed Najera's blood alcohol content to be 0.134 percent - well over Illinois ' legal limit of 0.08 percent, according to Chicago Police Department internal affairs records. Following the test, Najera was stripped of his police powers, his gun was confiscated and he was taken to the 15th District station for further questioning. The next day, he turned in his ID, badge and hat shield. He has been reassigned to a different department within the police force. A 25-day suspension has been recommended but has not yet been served. Najera put the phone down when contacted for comment by Trump Tower hosted a viewing event from 10am to 3pm prior to Najera's shift. At around 7pm that night, he demanded that a uniformed colleague allow him to sit in a CPD squad car, according to the report. When a uniformed officer refused, Najera called the department's 18th District station to file a complaint against his colleague. A supervisor from the 18th District then contacted a sergeant overseeing the mayor's detail, leading to a confrontation when Najera arrived at the politician's home. 'PO Najera was agitated, speaking loudly and avoiding eye contact while explaining the event,' the sergeant wrote in a report. 'His behavior was very uncharacteristic and erratic from the normal behavior (the sergeant) knows PO Najera to display '(The sergeant) asked PO Najera if he had been drinking while at the Trump Tower and he said he was having fun with his family. '(The sergeant) again asked if PO Najera had anything to drink and PO Najera answered in the affirmative - Yes.' Najera claimed his last drink was consumed around 6:30 pm, two and a half hours before his shift began. Multiple CPD supervisors were notified following the sergeant's alleged outburst and the disciplinary process quickly followed. A CPD spokesperson said Najera has since been reassigned to the department's Alternate Response Section. Najera, who joined the Chicago Police Department in 2017, had been assigned to Johnson's security detail since August 2023. According to records cited by the Chicago Tribune, he has no prior misconduct complaints and has never been the subject of a Summary Punishment Action Request, an internal disciplinary measure for minor infractions. Neither the Chicago Police Department nor Mayor Johnson's office has publicly commented on the suspension.
