Chicago voters are sending a chilly message to City Hall. A new Suffolk-Tribune poll released Sunday finds more residents view Mayor Brandon Johnson unfavorably than favorably, a warning sign as talk of the 2027 mayoral race starts to heat up. Overall, 44% of respondents said they have an unfavorable view of Johnson, while 34% viewed him favorably. The results arrive as Chicagoans continue to rank crime and housing affordability among their biggest concerns.
Poll Details And Methodology
The Suffolk University/Chicago Tribune survey was conducted April 11 to 15 among 500 adult Chicago residents using live telephone interviews in English and Spanish and covered all 50 wards, with a margin of sampling error of ±4.4 percentage points, as reported by Chicago Tribune. The release lists David Paleologos as the poll director and notes that the survey used quota and demographic benchmarks drawn from the U.S. Census and the American Community Survey.
Who Is With The Mayor, And Who Is Not
The numbers break sharply along racial and partisan lines. Black adults were more likely to view Johnson favorably, at 43% favorable and 38% unfavorable. White respondents leaned heavily negative, with 27% favorable and 54% unfavorable. Latino respondents came in at 39% favorable and 32% unfavorable. Democrats overall were inclined to back the mayor, 44% favorable to 35% unfavorable, while independents tilted against him, 27% favorable and 49% unfavorable. Suffolk University’s Political Research Center provides the methodology and weighting that underlie those cross-tabs, according to Suffolk University.
Crime, Budgets And Early Election Signals
About one in four respondents named crime as the most important issue, and among that group 59% held an unfavorable view of Johnson. At the same time, 54% of respondents said they favor redirecting some Chicago Police Department funding to social services. The poll also found 80% of residents think police body-camera footage should be made public within 24 hours.
Voters are already sizing up potential 2027 contenders. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias registered a 42% favorable and 7% unfavorable rating, while Comptroller Susana Mendoza logged 38% favorable and 11% unfavorable, as reported by Chicago Tribune.
What It Means Politically
Taken together, the findings suggest Johnson’s strongest support remains concentrated among Black voters and Democrats, while independents and white voters are currently a much tougher sell, a mix that could prove crucial to avoiding a runoff. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ favorability edge and a reported $18.3 million in campaign cash give him an early fundraising advantage, according to Chicago Sun-Times. Pollsters note that name recognition and early money are persuasive signals but not definitive forecasts this far out from election day.
For now, the survey offers a snapshot rather than a verdict. It highlights where Johnson is vulnerable and spotlights the issues most likely to shape voter choices across the city. The open question is whether the mayor can narrow the gap on crime and affordability or whether would-be challengers seize on these numbers as the 2027 race slowly takes shape. Follow-up polling and any formal campaign announcements will tell Chicago how fast the political winds are really shifting.
