For those interested, Chicago just witnessed the narrowest budget vote in the City Council since the 80s — Lightfoot's budget only passed 29-21, with six aldermen dissenting from the left and 15 from the right. One DSA-affiliated council member and another generally associated with the city's left voted for the budget; if they and a couple other conservatives voted against, the budget fails.
Lightfoot will be a one term mayor.
The election's not until 2023, so it certainly won't be in a pandemic environment. The most obvious left-of-center candidate is Brandon Johnson, who'd certainly draw at least some union backing, and who has a decent amount of name recognition (county commissioner with a regular radio show). The right will almost certainly have someone with a ton of cash too (Paul Vallas?). And then there's Willie Wilson.
Lightfoot is a weak, weak mayor with no natural base of support and she's gonna draw a handful of very well-funded challengers.
