Chicago mayoral candidate William J. Quinlan has filed a lawsuit challenging the decision by three prominent political figures to seek the city’s top job while also pursuing re-election to their current offices.
The action, lodged in Cook County Circuit Court on Tuesday, names Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, US Congressman Mike Quigley and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. Quinlan argues that seeking two “incompatible” offices at the same time breaches the Illinois Election Code.
Ms Pappas has not formally entered the Chicago mayoral race, according to Fox Chicago, although she has previously indicated that she intends to run. Mr Giannoulias and Mr Quigley have declared their mayoral bids while remaining candidates for their existing positions.
Chicago mayoral lawsuit centres on dual office bids
Quinlan is asking the court for a binding interpretation of section 10-7 of the Illinois Election Code. The provision states that candidates seeking offices they could not legally hold at the same time must withdraw from all but one of the contests or risk being disqualified.
“The games have got to stop,” Quinlan said. “We are in the situations we’re in fiscally and otherwise here in Chicago because of these exact people doing exactly what they’re doing, which is worrying more about protecting themselves and less about protecting the Chicagoan.”
His lawsuit seeks an expedited hearing because of the election timetable. Candidates for Chicago mayor are due to file their nominating petitions between October 19 and October 26, while objections must be lodged by November 2.
The timetable was brought forward after an Illinois law change in 2024 moved the filing period for local elections earlier. The Chicago mayoral contest will take place on February 23, 2027, with a run-off scheduled for April 6 if no candidate secures more than half the vote.
Election law experts have questioned Quinlan’s interpretation, noting that the contests for secretary of state and Congress will take place in November 2026, while the mayoral election is scheduled for the following year. The legal dispute also comes before some of the candidates have formally filed their mayoral petitions.
Mr Giannoulias’s campaign said he was focused on speaking to Chicagoans about the issues affecting them, including safety and the cost of living. The lawsuit asks the courts to determine whether candidates can remain on the ballot for their current offices while simultaneously seeking City Hall.
