The 2023 Disability Mayoral Candidates' Forum + Voter Resources

Voter Resources: Chicago Mayoral/Aldermanic Election

The Candidates by the Issues: Breakdowns of the candidates by their top priorities

WBEZ/The Chicago Sun-Times – Chicago mayoral candidates answer 23 questions
WBEZ/The Chicago Sun-Times – Every aldermanic and police district council candidate and their top priorities
The Chicago Reader/South Side Weekly – Chicago Police District Councils Voter Guide

Polling Places

The 2023 Disability Mayoral Candidates’ Forum

Event Recording and Transcript Available

On Saturday, January 7, 2023, Access Living hosted a hybrid candidates’ forum with seven of the candidates in the Chicago mayoral race. Members of the disability community heard from the candidates themselves about the issues most pressing to people with disabilities in the City of Chicago.

Approximately 10% of Chicagoans identify as a person with a disability, and the Mayor’s Office plays an important role in the policies that impact us most and our ability to live independently in our communities.

Event agenda

Start – Recording begins at 14:30
Opening Remarks
Overview of event format
Candidate opening statements
Candidate questions
Candidate closing statements
Event ends

Speakers & Candidates

Emcee: Andrés J. Gallegos
Opening Remarks: Karen Tamley

Kam Buckner
Chuy García
Ja’Mal Green
Brandon Johnson
Sophia King
Lori Lightfoot
Paul Vallas

Transcript: 1/7/2023 Disability Candidates’ Forum

The Impact of the Mayor’s Office on People with Disabilities

The Mayor’s Office has a direct impact on disability-related services in Chicago, such as oversight of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, and makes essential decisions regarding transportation, social support programs, economic initiatives, policing, immigration policy, housing, and more.

Forum Media Coverage

ABC7 – “Chicago mayor candidates participate in forum on disability issues as they look for support, votes”
CBS Chicago – First Chicago mayoral candidate forum of the year focuses on helping people with disabilities
Chicago Sun-Times – “Lightfoot bears brunt of criticism at mayoral candidate forum on issues affecting disabled Chicagoans”
Chicago Tribune – “Lightfoot, García make first appearances at mayoral candidate forum”
NBC Chicago – “Chicago Mayoral Candidates Face Off at Forum Focusing On Issues Affecting the Disabled Community”
The TRiiBE – Forum highlights
WBBM News Radio – “Chicago mayoral candidates outline plans to bring accessibility to local affordable housing”
WGN – “7 Mayoral candidates pitch platforms to accommodate disabilities”
WTTW – “Chicago Mayoral Race Finalized With 9 Candidates, as Debates Begin and Police Union Backs Vallas”

Which Chicago Mayoral Candidates were Invited to the Forum?

Invitations to participate went to all candidates who filed petitions with the Chicago Board of Elections. In order to attend the forum, each candidate was required to fill out a series of questions specific to disability issues. The candidates who attended the forum and their responses to the disability questionnaire are listed below.