Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announced on July 16, 2025, that she will not seek a fourth term in the 2026 election. Mendoza, who has served as the state's chief fiscal officer, left open the possibility of running for mayor of Chicago in 2027. This decision signals the start of the 2027 mayoral election cycle and is expected to trigger a competitive race for the comptroller position in 2026. Mendoza previously ran for Chicago mayor but was unsuccessful, and her current move suggests a potential rematch against incumbent Mayor Brandon Johnson. While she declined to confirm her future plans explicitly, political observers widely interpret her announcement as a precursor to a mayoral bid.