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12 People Running For Joliet Mayor, City Council So Far In Spring 2027 Elections, Here's Who They Are

The Joliet mayor's position as well as the five District seats on the Joliet City Council are up for grabs in the coming months.

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At right, Joliet City Councilman Cesar Cardenas attends the February grand opening celebration for the Casa Catrina restaurant in downtown Joliet's historic Union station. (file image via John Ferak/Patch )

JOLIET, IL — As September draws to a close, Joliet Mayor Terry D'Arcy continues to sit on the sidelines, opting not to obtain any paperwork necessary in order to run for a second four-year term as the mayor of Joliet.

With D'Arcy's bid for a second term looking less and less likely every week, the rest of the candidate field is shaping up. Cesar Cardenas, a close ally of D'Arcy, has decided not to obtain any petitions for the mayor's office. Instead, Cardenas has made it clear that he will seek a second term on the Joliet City Council for District 4.

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"After much thought and reflection, I am announcing my decision to seek re-election to the Joliet City Council representing District 4," Cardenas revealed at the end of last week on his Facebook page. "The past 3 years have been one of the biggest learning experiences of my life. Serving on the City Council has taught me that this position is much bigger than any one person, opinion, or vote. I know that on some issues, my vote may not have been the outcome some hoped for, but I've always tried to make each decision by listening, asking questions, and considering what I believe is best for the community as a whole. If given the opportunity to serve District 4 for another term, I will continue listening to our residents, educating myself on the issues, being accessible to the community, and working to address the concerns that matter most to the people I represent."

As for the current field heading into the last week of September, here is the candidate list so far:

Mayor:

Joe Clement, Joliet City Council incumbent and retired Joliet Police Department officer.

Jim Lanham, former candidate for State Representative District 86 against incumbent Larry Walsh Jr.

Steven Casey, Joliet resident from Massachusetts Avenue.

Stanley Keen, Joliet resident from Plainfield Road.

City Council District 1:

Incumbent Larry Hug

City Council District 2:

Incumbent Patrick Mudron

Michael O'Neill of Campbell Street

Jim Capparelli, previous Joliet city manager, of Oneida Street

City Council District 3:

Incumbent Sherri Reardon

Craig Meszarus of Wood River Street

City Council District 4:

Incumbent Cesar Cardenas

City Council District 5:

Incumbent Suzanna Ibarra

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