Chicago candidates for mayor, other offices file nominating petitions

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Monday was the first day to file paperwork to run for mayor of Chicago, and other city posts.

There was a flurry of activity at the Chicago Board of Elections office as candidates lined up with their giant stacks of nomination petitions.

On Day 1, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Dr. Willie Wilson each turned in 60,000 petitions. They will join Paul Vallas, Jerry Joyce Jr. and political newcomer Catherine Brown D'Tycoon, who were also each in line by 9 a.m.

READ: LIST OF ALL CANDIDATES WHO HAVE FILED TO RUN

Getting 12,500 valid signatures is all that is needed to get on the ballot, but many had more than that to fend off challengers trying to knock them off the ballot.

"I'm very grateful for all the volunteers who helped us get these 60,000 petitions," Preckwinkle said.

Wilson said that his signatures are all valid and said that if anyone challenges then, "I think they'd be a fool."

A lottery drawing of those who filed Monday will be held to determine the top spot on the ballot. The drawing will be Dec. 5.

"Some candidates see it as a big advantage you know the first or second person on the ballot," said Marisal Hernandez, chairwoman of the Board of Elections.

Vallas who brought in about 50,000 signatures, said he'd be glad to be the top candidate, but downplayed the significance.

"At the end of the day, I think it's issues that are going to drive this election, you know I mean if you're dependent on positioning in order to elevate your chances of success then you've got other problems," Vallas said.

A new poll commissioned by Susana Mendoza, who is also planning a bid for mayor, shows Preckwinkle as the front-runner with 15 percent, Mendoza at 13 percent, Bill Daley at 9 percent followed by Wilson with 8 percent, Garry McCarthy with 7 percent and Vallas with 6 percent.

If no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote in the February 26, 2019 election, there would be a runoff on April 2 between the top two candidates. The polls shows Mendoza beating Preckwinkle 39-to-33 percent in a runoff and beating Bill Daley 47-to-29 percent.

Joyce, who comes from a politically connected family, brought his on filing day, along with three times the needed signatures and some optimism.

"Our strategy is to get more votes than everyone else. But you know I mean seriously, it's a complicated race and I don't think anybody can really predict what's going to happen," Joyce said.

Candidates are hoping to replace two-term Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who announced this fall that he would not seek a third term.

About 17 people have expressed their intention to run for mayor.

The rest of the candidates will likely wait until the last day of the filing period, which is next Monday.

If they turn their signature petitions in between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., they will go into another lottery to be in the last position on the ballot, which some consider to also be advantageous.

Candidates who file in between will be on the ballot in the order that they filed their petitions.