Illinois Politics

Illinois Politics

Challenger Jesus "Chuy" Garcia says he has called Mayor Rahmm Emanuel to concede the runoff election in Chicago and congratulate him.

Chicago's first-ever runoff was necessary after Emanuel failed to get more than 50% of the vote in February.

Chicago is beset by growing financial problems, including a $20 billion pension crisis and $300 million operating budget shortfall. Emanuel, President Obama's former chief of staff, sought to paint former Cook County Commissioner Garcia as inexperienced and unfit for the job of fixing the city's financial mess.

Emanuel's critics said steps he has taken to fix the economy -- like closing public health clinics, 50 public schools and installing red light cameras to raise fees - have only made the problem worse for the city's low-income and minority communities. Ref. CNN