Election news
Coverage of Evanston’s 2027 races from local and Chicago outlets, each with a one-line summary in our words, plus our own sourced updates.
Our updates
- Fri Oct 16, 2026Acting mayor pick now expected Oct. 26, not Oct. 19Evanston’s City Council is expected to choose an acting mayor at its regular Oct. 26 meeting; a special meeting set for Oct. 19 is expected to be canceled.
- Fri Oct 16, 2026District 65 proposes closing Dewey and LincolnwoodDistrict 65 administrators proposed closing Dewey and Lincolnwood elementary schools as part of about $20 million in cuts. The board votes Nov. 9 on advancing the plan.
- Fri Oct 16, 2026What’s in Evanston’s proposed 2027 budgetEvanston’s proposed 2027 budget raises the city property tax levy 10% and the water rate 25%, and raises rideshare, streaming and natural gas taxes. Votes Nov. 9 and Nov. 23.
In the news
- Mayoral hopefuls report early donations ↗
Quarterly finance reports show Jane Grover raised the most, followed by Stephanie Mendoza, Gilo Logan, Jeff Boarini and Ann Rainey, with Elliot Oats reporting no contributions yet.
- Mayor’s race money: Tens of thousands already banked ahead of candidate filing ↗
Third-quarter state campaign finance reports show Jane Grover, Stephanie Mendoza and Jeff Boarini each had more than $10,000 banked, with smaller totals for the other candidates.
- Citing proposed cuts, Washington parent Zoran Tasić says he will run for District 65 board ↗
Washington Elementary parent Zoran Tasić, an antitrust litigator, said he will run for the District 65 board, citing the district's proposed cuts.
- Acting mayor vote pushed to Oct. 26, after candidate filing closes ↗
The council's vote to appoint an acting mayor was moved from an Oct. 19 special meeting to Oct. 26, after the candidate filing period closes.
- Acting mayor selection delayed to Oct. 26 ↗
Ald. Clare Kelly, who becomes mayor pro tem when Biss resigns, said she will cancel the Oct. 19 special meeting and move the acting mayor vote to Oct. 26.
- Two new candidates join D65 Board race ↗
Danny Orrock and Natika Washington announced runs for the District 65 board, joining a race for three seats as the district faces projected budget cuts.
- More than 100 attend ‘Black Voices: Who Gets to Tell the Story?’ hosted by Bookends & Beginnings ↗
Six local Black writers, including Gilo Kwesi Logan, spoke at a Bookends & Beginnings panel on representation and who shapes narratives of Black life.
- Race to Replace: The rundown of the mayoral candidates racing to replace Mayor Daniel Biss ↗
The first episode of a Daily Northwestern podcast on the special mayoral election explains how the vacancy arose, who is running, who has withdrawn and what comes next.
- Two more candidates to run for District 65 school board ↗
Natika Washington, an Oakton Elementary parent and Air Force veteran, and Danny Orrock, an attorney with children at Lincolnwood, each said they are running for the District 65 board.
- Panel spotlights work, lived experiences of six local Black authors ↗
Six local Black authors, including Gilo Kwesi Logan, discussed their work and experiences at a Bookends & Beginnings panel on who tells Black stories.
- City Council will pick acting mayor at Oct. 19 special meeting ↗
Mayor Daniel Biss called an Oct. 19 special council meeting to appoint an acting mayor; an editor's note says the vote was later moved to Oct. 26.
- Biss calls Oct. 19 meeting to pick acting mayor ↗
Mayor Daniel Biss called a special City Council meeting for Oct. 19 with selection of an acting mayor as its only agenda item.
- Everything Evanston: New candidate joins Evanston mayoral race, D65 proposes deficit budget, ETHS teachers reflect on 9/11 ↗
A news podcast episode reports that Jade Carpenter left the mayoral race and Gilo Logan joined it, alongside segments on the District 65 budget and teaching about 9/11 at ETHS.
- Mya Wilkins will not seek reelection to District 65 board ↗
District 65 board member Mya Wilkins confirmed she will not seek reelection, saying she had planned to serve only one full term.
- Business lawyer Jade Carpenter ends mayoral bid ↗
Business lawyer Jade Carpenter ended her mayoral campaign, leaving six candidates in the race.
- Jade Carpenter becomes first to exit Evanston mayoral race ↗
Jade Carpenter announced she is ending her mayoral campaign, the first candidate to leave the race.
- Jade Carpenter says she won’t run for mayor ↗
Attorney Jade Carpenter said she will not continue her run for mayor, citing family and work obligations.
- D65 incumbent not running for re-election ↗
District 65 board member Mya Wilkins said she will not run for re-election in April 2027 but will finish her current term.
- Retired District 65 social worker Dan Coyne is running for school board ↗
Dan Coyne, a retired District 65 social worker, confirmed he has started the process to run for the District 65 board, citing budget cuts he saw in schools.
- Retired D65 staffer plans school board run ↗
Former District 65 social worker Dan Coyne said he has taken out papers to collect petitions for a District 65 board seat.
- Joe ‘Butch’ Martin Fund honors Gilo Kwesi Logan, Lee Austin, NAACP Evanston Youth Council ↗
The Joe "Butch" Martin Fund presented its 2026 Real M.M.E.N. awards to Gilo Kwesi Logan and Lee Austin at a Sept. 12 ceremony, along with an NAACP youth council honor.
- Diversity consultant joins crowded field to replace Biss ↗
Author and diversity consultant Gilo Logan filed campaign paperwork to run for mayor; the article reviews his consulting work for the city and District 65.
- Gilo Kwesi Logan, author and equity consultant, launches bid for Evanston mayor ↗
Gilo Kwesi Logan, a diversity and leadership consultant and children's book author, filed paperwork to run in the special mayoral election.
- Author Gilo Logan to run for Evanston mayor ↗
Author and diversity consultant Gilo Kwesi Logan entered the mayoral race as the seventh declared candidate; the article reviews his education and career.
- 2027 elections: School board petitioning opens with most incumbents mum on plans ↗
Petition circulation opened for three seats each on the District 65 and District 202 boards; Chris Van Nostrand was the only incumbent to confirm plans, saying he will run.
- Jeff Smith ‘considering’ run for mayor ↗
Attorney Jeff Smith, a 2017 mayoral candidate, said he is considering a run for mayor but has not made a final decision.
- Alma Advisory Group to lead District 65 superintendent search ↗
The District 65 board voted 6-1 to hire Alma Advisory Group for its superintendent search; Vice President Chris Van Nostrand discussed the vetting and the board's goals.
- Former Ald. Jane Grover joins crowded mayoral race ↗
Former Ald. Jane Grover announced a mayoral campaign, saying in a release she would focus on balancing the budget and improving city services.
- Former Councilmember Jane Grover announces mayoral campaign ↗
Former Councilmember Jane Grover announced a mayoral campaign, naming city finances, more responsive services and economic opportunities as focuses.
- Jane Grover, former alder, enters mayoral race ↗
Former 7th Ward Ald. Jane Grover announced she will run for mayor, becoming the sixth candidate; the article reviews her council and regional-planning career.
- Evanston City Clerk Stephanie Mendoza announces bid for mayoral seat ↗
Reports that City Clerk Stephanie Mendoza announced on Aug. 5 that she will run in the special mayoral election, and reviews her tenure as clerk.
- Evanston City Clerk Stephanie Mendoza Launches Campaign For Mayor ↗
City Clerk Stephanie Mendoza announced a run for mayor, saying her platform would focus on housing affordability, city services and budget priorities.
- City Clerk Stephanie Mendoza launches mayoral campaign ↗
City Clerk Stephanie Mendoza announced she will run for mayor, the first sitting elected official to enter the race, citing her personal history in Evanston.
- City Clerk Mendoza to run for mayor ↗
City Clerk Stephanie Mendoza entered the special election for mayor; the article outlines her background and her time as clerk since 2021.
- City Clerk Stephanie Mendoza announces mayoral bid ↗
City Clerk Stephanie Mendoza launched a mayoral campaign through a news release describing her background and reasons for running.
- Rainey says city is ‘not well run’ ↗
Ann Rainey launched her mayoral campaign at a downtown event, pledging to serve only the two years left in the term and citing her council experience.
- Former Ald. Ann Rainey launches mayoral bid ↗
Former Ald. Ann Rainey announced her mayoral campaign at a launch event, saying she intends to hold the seat only until the 2029 election.
- Former alder Ann Rainey launches bid to be caretaker mayor ↗
Former Ald. Ann Rainey launched a mayoral campaign, saying she intends to serve only until the next regular election in 2029.
- Former Ald. Ann Rainey to run for mayor ↗
Former 8th Ward Ald. Ann Rainey, who served on the City Council for most of 1983 to 2021, announced she will run in the special election for mayor.
- Biss submits resignation letter, affirming October departure ↗
Mayor Daniel Biss submitted a formal resignation letter effective Oct. 18, a date that triggers an April 2027 special election with a Feb. 23 primary if needed.
- D65 outlines superintendent search process ↗
District 65 board leaders Nichole Pinkard and Chris Van Nostrand described the first step of the superintendent search: hiring a search firm.
- Skokie business lawyer is first to enter race to become Evanston’s next mayor ↗
Reports that business attorney Jade Carpenter filed paperwork on July 1 to form a candidate committee for the special mayoral election.
- District 65 puts out request for superintendent search firm ↗
District 65 issued a request for proposals for a superintendent search firm, announced by board President Nichole Pinkard and Vice President Chris Van Nostrand.
- Union steward, bike safety advocate announces mayoral campaign in special election ↗
Elliot Oats, a 22-year-old union steward and bike-safety advocate, filed paperwork to run for mayor and said affordability and bike safety are among his priorities.
- Early Players Enter Evanston's Mayoral Election: What You Need To Know ↗
Reports that Jeff Boarini, Jade Carpenter and Elliot Oats had stated plans or filed early paperwork to run in the special mayoral election, and outlines the election calendar.
- 22-year-old union steward, bike activist launches mayoral campaign ↗
Elliot Oats registered a candidate committee to run for mayor, becoming the third candidate in the special election, and discussed the zoning overhaul and the city's direction.
- 22-year-old union steward joins mayoral race ↗
Elliot Oats, a 22-year-old UPS union steward and bike-safety advocate, filed paperwork to run for mayor and named housing, transportation and Envision Evanston 2045 as key issues.
- Business lawyer plans mayoral campaign in special election, expresses support for Envision Evanston 2045 ↗
Business lawyer Jade Carpenter filed paperwork to run in the special mayoral election and described her background and her support for Envision Evanston 2045.
- Business attorney and political newcomer starts mayoral campaign committee ↗
Attorney Jade Carpenter registered a mayoral candidate committee with the state, the second person to publicly indicate a bid to succeed Mayor Daniel Biss.
- Lawyer Jade Carpenter to run for mayor ↗
Business attorney Jade Carpenter filed paperwork to form a mayoral campaign committee and confirmed she plans to run in the special election.
- Who might be Evanston’s next mayor? ↗
Reviews how the council will appoint an acting mayor after Biss resigns, which alders say they would or would not serve, and who has signaled interest in running for mayor.
- Biss To Resign As Evanston Mayor In October Amid Congress Bid ↗
Reports that Mayor Daniel Biss will resign Oct. 18 to trigger a spring special election, with candidate petitions to be filed Oct. 19 to 26.
- Biss announces October resignation, reflects on tenure in State of City Address ↗
Mayor Daniel Biss announced in his State of the City address that he will resign Oct. 18 to trigger a spring special election, after which the council will appoint an acting mayor.
- Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss to resign in October, which will trigger a special election for his successor ↗
Reports that Mayor Daniel Biss will resign Oct. 18, which triggers an April 2027 special election to fill the remainder of his term.
- Mayor Biss to resign Oct. 18, clearing way for special election ↗
Mayor Daniel Biss announced at his final State of the City address that he will resign Oct. 18, timing that triggers a special mayoral election.
- Biss says he will resign in October ↗
Mayor Daniel Biss said he plans to resign Oct. 18 so a special mayoral election can be held in 2027, with a Feb. 23 primary and April 6 election.
- District 65 superintendent set to leave, pending board vote ↗
Board President Nichole Pinkard and Vice President Chris Van Nostrand announced the District 65 board would vote on a mutual separation agreement with Superintendent Angel Turner.
- Turner leaving D65 ↗
The District 65 board scheduled a vote on a mutual separation agreement with Superintendent Angel Turner; board leaders Nichole Pinkard and Chris Van Nostrand thanked her in a message.
- D65 board to consider ‘mutual separation agreement’ with Superintendent Angel Turner at next meeting ↗
Board President Nichole Pinkard and Vice President Chris Van Nostrand told the community the District 65 board would consider a mutual separation agreement with Superintendent Angel Turner.
- If Evanston’s Daniel Biss resigns, Council to name acting mayor with simple majority vote ↗
Reports that council members shelved a proposal requiring a two-thirds vote to appoint an acting mayor, keeping the threshold at five of nine votes.
- It’s back to 5 votes to name acting mayor ↗
A divided City Council dropped a proposal to raise the number of votes needed to select an acting mayor from a simple majority to two-thirds.
- City Council retains simple majority vote in acting mayor selection process ↗
The City Council adopted a rulebook that keeps a simple-majority vote for selecting an acting mayor after a months-long effort to require a two-thirds vote.
- City Council decides five votes is enough to pick temporary mayor when Biss heads to Washington ↗
The City Council voted 5-4 to keep a simple-majority requirement for appointing an acting mayor, rather than raising it to a two-thirds supermajority.
- With Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss likely heading to Congress, there are 3 candidates interested in succeeding him ↗
Reports that two City Council members said they would be willing to serve as acting mayor if Mayor Daniel Biss resigns, and that Jeff Boarini intends to run for mayor.
Items come from the Evanston RoundTable, Evanston Now, the Daily Northwestern, Evanston Patch, the Chicago Tribune/Pioneer Press and the Chicago Sun-Times, dated June 1, 2026 or later. A candidate item lists a candidate only when that candidate is a subject: named in the headline or opening paragraphs (about the first three) as someone the article reports on. A name that appears only in a background list of the rest of the field, in passing, or only in photo captions does not count; in a roundup whose subject is the candidate field (fundraising reports, candidate rundowns, filing or petitioning roundups), each candidate whose own information is reported counts as a subject. Race items are articles whose subject is the 2027 mayoral special election itself, the acting-mayor selection, the District 65, District 202 or Oakton College board races, or candidate fields, filing and fundraising; they carry race tags plus the slug of every candidate who is a subject. Candidate press releases, paid or sponsored content, pure event listings and podcast pages whose only text is a show-notes list are excluded. Opinion columns, letters and editorials are included and marked as opinion. A candidate tag requires positive identification of the candidate. The same rule is applied identically to every candidate; summaries are one neutral sentence describing what each article reports.
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