Chicago politics is never dull: A local political story can die down, drag for months, or take unexpected turns. That's why we're bringing you these 2024 Chicago politics superlatives.
Most Expensive Headache: City Budget
City Council finally passed a budget Monday 27–23 after multiple proposals from Mayor Brandon Johnson, who dropped his unpopular property tax hike to get the deal done. Now what about the CPS–CTU contract …
Biggest Trial: Mike Madigan
The trial of the state’s most powerful politician finally began this fall. It has been years in the making: The trial was delayed following a U.S. Supreme Court decision on federal bribery law. Plus, others connected to Madigan had their own trials. Now the prosecution could rest as early as this week, and a jury could soon decide the fate of the former Illinois House speaker.
Most Turnover: School Board
All seven members of the Chicago Board of Education resigned in October amid tension between the mayor’s office and the school district over the budget. Johnson then appointed a new interim board which will only remain until mid-January, when elected school board members will be inaugurated.
The Democratic National Convention at the United Center. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times / Getty)
Largest Takeover: Democratic National Convention
After almost 30 years, the DNC returned to Chicago this summer. As about 50,000 people arrived for the convention and Chicago politicians stumped on stage, city officials made CTA trains squeaky clean, removed unhoused residents from tent encampments, and tried to contain protests.
Longest Primary: Cook County State’s Attorney
In a competitive race to replace Kim Foxx, it took almost two weeks in the spring to determine a winner between Democrats Eileen O’Neill Burke and Clayton Harris III. O'Neill Burke ended up winning the primary and general election.
Most Awkward Press Conference: Soldier Field Prayer
Honestly who knows where the new Bears stadium will end up, but one thing we do know that wasn’t exactly popular? Rev. Charlie Dates’ prayer for a new stadium deal 😬
News Story Least Likely to Die: Jussie Smollett
There have been many chapters in the Jussie Smollett saga. The latest is the Illinois Supreme Court overturned the former “Empire” actor’s conviction on charges of staging a hate crime against himself in Streeterville in 2019.
Will Metra, CTA, and Pace become one? (vxla, mhellekjaer / Wikimedia Commons)
Biggest Dream: Transit Merger
A survey found that most Chicagoans supported merging CTA, Metra, and Pace under one system after state lawmakers proposed in the spring a single consolidated agency. Leaders at each of the agencies aren’t for it.
Most Anticipated Upcoming Election: Dolton Mayor
Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard has put the south suburb on the map and, uh, not exactly for good reasons. Henyard, who is accused of financial misconduct and corruption, is the subject of an investigation led by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and a federal investigation. She faces a fierce race in the spring.
