Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago mayor announces reelection bid
(The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson launched his reelection campaign on Sunday with an event at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center on the city’s South Side. Chicago’s mayoral election is scheduled to be Feb. 23.
Other candidates in the field are former Chicago Housing Authority CEO Matt Brewer, former alderman George Cardenas, Chicago Flips Red vice president Danielle Carter-Walters, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, businessman Joe Holberg, lobbyist John Kelly, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, cardiologist Dr. Lisa Nee, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley.
CHARLIE KIRK MEMORIALS HELD
A vigil was held in Arlington Heights on Saturday to remember Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot on Sept. 10, 2025 at Utah Valley University. Kirk was born in Arlington Heights, attended Wheeling High School and started Turning Point USA from a garage in Lemont.
According to a one-year anniversary document provided to The Center Square by TPUSA Public Relations Administrator Lindsay Price, the organization reported a 180% increase in Club America high school clubs since the previous school year and a 64% increase in college chapters.
Esther Wickham contributed to this story
MEMORIAL HELD FOR MAN KILLED DURING ICE ENCOUNTER
Ceremonies were held in Franklin Park on Saturday to mark one year since the death of Silverio Villegas González, a Mexican national who was fatally shot after he attempted to escape federal immigration law enforcement officers.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Villegas González was in the country illegally, attempted to flee, drove at law enforcement officers and dragged an ICE officer with his car before the shooting occurred.
In May, Illinois State Police announced they would investigate the case and turn it over to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office when complete.
COOK COUNTY BUSINESSES RECEIVE GRANTS
The Cook County Bureau of Economic Development has announced that 92 businesses have received $100,000 catalyst grants.
The $9.2 million in funding was provided by the American Rescue Plan Act. The bureau said businesses may only use the grant funds to hire and/or train staff, expand or improve facilities, or purchase equipment to support growth of their operations.
CHICAGO TRADER SENTENCED FOR FRAUD
A Chicago trader has been sentenced to 16 years and eight months in federal prison for fraudulently engaging in unauthorized speculative bond trading.
U.S. government attorneys said Keith Wakefield, 52, cost his employer more than $30 million, causuing the company to become insolvent and leading more than 200 people to lose their jobs.
Prosecutors said Wakefield also embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from his employer, IFS Securities by falsifying the company’s books and records from 2017 to 2019.
ST. LOUIS FED GDP GROWTH PROJECTION SHOWS LITTLE CHANGE
On Friday, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Economic News Index was projecting third quarter real GDP growth of 2.4% at an annual rate, little changed from the week before.
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