In 2019, Willie Wilson finished fourth in the mayoral election with 11% of the vote before backing Lori Lightfoot in the runoff contest against Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
Philanthropist and businessman Willie Wilson announced Monday he will run for mayor in an effort to deny Mayor Lori Lightfoot a second term — after endorsing her during the 2019 runoff for mayor.Flanked by a large group of friends, supporters and religious officials, Wilson, 73, made the announcement in his condominium overlooking Lake Michigan and Navy Pier decorated with posters and new articles detailing Wilson’s public life.
But while Lightfoot promised to consult Wilson during her tenure as mayor, he said she never did, and he broke with her not long after she took office.