US Rep. Mike Quigley appears to take step toward running for Chicago mayor

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Illinois Congressman Mike Quigley appears to be taking a step toward running for Chicago mayor in what could be a crowded field.

Documents filed with the Illinois Board of Elections show the purpose of his political action campaign committee is to elect Mike Quigley as mayor of Chicago. It allows him to start raising money

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U.S. Rep. Quigley, D-Chicago, also filed paperwork ahead of the 2023 mayoral election, but ultimately decided not to enter the race.

He previously announced plans to run for reelection to Congress next year.

Quigley says there are people who are encouraging him to run for mayor. But, for right now, he's still just considering it. Unlike two years ago when he also talked about a run, this time he seems a little more serious.

Quigley, who is back in Chicago because of the government shutdown, toured the Nourishing Hope food pantry on the West Side. He is concerned about proposed cuts to food assistance programs that will impact vulnerable Chicagoans.

He's also concerned about the future of Chicago under the current administration.

"I love this city. It's the greatest city in the world. It is right now sitting on a crumbling financial foundation, and all the things we care about are at risk," Quigley said. "I'm running for reelection, filing my petitions, moving forward for another term in Congress. But it's hard to look at what's happening in our city and not be concerned. So, we're exploring all those options."

The next mayoral election is in 2027.

"Circumstances change, locally, nationally, and you have those decisions to make," Quigley said. "But right now, I'm entirely focused on the shutdown, and what ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is doing in Chicago."

"He's running for reelection. He doesn't really have serious opposition; so, he can spend all of his time politically, raising his profile, positioning himself as someone who could be mayor and who might be mayor. And so I think that's what he's trying to do here," ABC7 Chicago political analyst Laura Washington said.

A poll from August showed Mayor Brandon Johnson has some work to do if he wants to win a second term.

Two years into office, the mayor's approval rating across the city is just 26%, according to the poll.

Quigley could face a crowded field in 2027. With many, like him, being more moderate than Johnson.

"A lot of politicians see this as an opportunity. Brandon Johnson is looking very vulnerable. He's looking very weak. So they see this as a chance for them to be able to step up and perhaps step in the City Hall," Washington said.

Johnson's political director says they're not worried about a Quigley campaign, or anyone else for that matter, with the election a year and a half way.

The mayor is focused on the task at hand, making the city safe and standing up to Trump administration.