Politics
River North Election Commission Candidate Spotlight Rules Expand Local Questionnaires
The new requirements will deliver standardized candidate positions on property taxes and neighborhood services directly to River North households ahead of the November ballot.
How we reported this
The River North Election Commission approved expanded candidate spotlight guidelines on July 7 that require every declared candidate for city council and mayor to answer a uniform set of questions on local issues. The guidelines apply to all candidates who file by the August deadline for the November municipal election.
Filing deadlines for the 2026 ballot close in six weeks. Commission staff cited the need for consistent records after the previous cycle produced uneven candidate statements that left some residents without clear details on city spending priorities.
Daily Effects for River North Households
Residents will receive printed profiles in September that list each candidate’s stated position on the property tax levy and on maintenance budgets for local streets and parks. The profiles also cover plans for staffing at the River North police district and funding levels for the branch library on Superior Street.
Workers who commute from the area will see candidate answers on transit subsidies for the Chicago Transit Authority routes that serve the neighborhood. Small business owners along Chicago Avenue will find statements about permit fees and sidewalk repair schedules that affect daily operations.
The commission’s 2025 annual report recorded 62 percent turnout among River North precincts in the prior municipal election. Staff expect the standardized profiles to reach every registered household through existing mailings already budgeted in the city clerk’s office.
Next Steps for Voters and Candidates
Candidates must submit completed questionnaires by July 31. The commission will post the responses on its public website by August 10 and mail printed versions to all registered addresses in the district by September 1.
Voters can request paper copies in person at the commission office on Ontario Street or download digital files once published. No additional public funding beyond current election administration accounts is required for the expanded distribution.