Dupage Policy Journal

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he isn't endorsing anyone in the April 4 general election for mayor of Chicago, at least not yet.

"I'll be listening and watching," Pritzker told Chicago Business. "Primaries are messy, and they don't usually illustrate the candidates' positions on the issues all that well. And so, I think it'll be important for the candidates that made it through that primary process, and now in the runoff, to articulate their positions and the contrast between their views."

Former Chicago Public Schools chief Paul Vallas and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson will do battle in a runoff election to settle the mayoral seat after the two outlasted a field of nine candidates in the Feb. 28 primary. Both defeated the incumbent mayor, Lori Lightfoot.

Pritzker, a Democrat and Chicago voter, is not considered politically close to either candidate, Chicago Business reported. Vallas, however, was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2016, and Pritzker traditionally has emphasized keeping a good relationship with Black voters.

Ultimately, Pritzker said, he will monitor where each candidate stands on issues such as education, health care, public safety and creating jobs, adding "those are all important things that I don't think have been fully fleshed out by either one of those candidates."