KENWOOD — The February special election to replace former Ald. Will Burns (4th) is already heating up, with the first candidates forum scheduled as more candidates jump into the race.
Aug. 30 marked the first day for candidates to begin circulating petitions to get on the Feb. 28 ballot for a special election to replace Burns, who stepped down in February for a job at AirBnB. He was replaced by Sophia King until a special election can be held Feb. 28, 2017.
People United for Action is hosting the first forum for voters to hear from all of the candidates at once at 6 p.m. Sept. 22 at Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church, 600 E. 35th St.
“We just wanted to get out there early,” said Rod Wilson, a forum organizer.
Sam Cholke talks about the 4th Ward special election.
At least five candidates already are in the race and have filed the necessary paperwork with the state to start fundraising.
King has said she will run to finish the remainder of Burns’ term.
She has raised more than $60,000, according to state records, with contributions from state Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago), U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Chicago Deputy Mayor Andrea Zopp and others, though no candidate has received official endorsements yet.
Attorney Ebony Lucas has also jumped into the race, having raised about $11,000, according to state records. She also has launched a website for her candidacy.
Other candidates include attorney Marcellus Moore and the Rev. Gregory Livingston, who helped organize large Downtown protests late last year after the police shooting death of Laquan McDonald. Neither has reported campaign contributions to the state.
Mortgage broker Tracey Bey, who challenged Burns in the last election, is running again, and has raised more than $500 for her campaign.
Former aldermanic candidate George Rumsey continues to maintain a campaign fund, but is not actively raising money and is not expected to run again.
Candidates who would like to participate in the forum are encouraged to call organizers at 773-231-3282.
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