The Latest Breaking News from Jesús “Chuy” Garcia

The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and other groups backing Vallas stayed neutral in February. Brandon Johnson, meanwhile, touted support from a group of Black firefighters, paramedics, Council members and leaders in the city’s Polish community.

CHICAGO — U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” García endorsed Brandon Johnson for Chicago mayor Friday, giving the Cook County commissioner a potential boost in the April 4 election.

Johnson’s campaign manager said Johnson and Garcia have had “several good conversations.” More meetings with a “broader group” of Garcia supporters are scheduled for next week, in hoipes of securing Garcia’s endorsement.

Brandon Johnson also was endorsed by his County Board colleague, Toni Preckwinkle, who lost the 2019 mayoral runoff to Lori Lightfoot. Paul Vallas, meanwhile, was touted the support of Joyce Kenner, former principal of Whitney Young Magnet High School.

Today’s update is a five-minute read that will brief you on the day’s biggest stories.

CHICAGO — Just months ago, few Chicagoans would have expected Paul Vallas or Brandon Johnson to best incumbent Lori Lightfoot and survive to the mayoral runoff election.

From its battles between ex-Mayor Rahm Emanuel and its late leader Karen Lewis in 2012, the Chicago Teachers Union is now hoping to help homegrown candidate Brandon Johnson win the runoff to be Chicago’s mayor.

The newly chosen combatants in Round Two of the mayoral sweepstakes are off and running. And with 34.1% of the vote in Round One, Paul Vallas is clearly the front-runner. Experts say Brandon Johnson must reunite progressives and make better inroads with Black voters to beat him,

The mayoral candidate said he wants to ensure that “our schools are fully supported and funded,” and Chicagoans have “reliable transportation, good-paying jobs, affordable housing” and can own their own homes.