The Chicagoan

Rahm Emanuel has returned to Chicago, and so has his influence. After serving as the U.S. ambassador to Japan, the former mayor is already making it clear he’s not ready to step away from public life. Speaking at the Economic Club of Chicago, Emanuel covered everything from national security to local education, signaling that he may soon re-enter the political arena. While he avoided committing to a specific race, his remarks suggest the door is wide open for a return.

If you follow Illinois politics, Emanuel’s timing is worth noting. With speculation growing over whether Governor J.B. Pritzker will seek a third term, Emanuel’s name has surfaced as a possible contender. When asked directly about running for governor, or even making another bid for mayor in 2027, Emanuel left little doubt that he’s considering his options, saying, “I'm not done with public service and I'm hoping public service is not done with me.”

Beyond future campaigns, Emanuel used his platform to press the need for action on education. Citing alarming national test scores, he pointed out that the country won’t stay competitive if most children are struggling with reading and math. For Chicago, that challenge is personal. If you live here, this is a reminder to keep an eye on school board decisions, local funding, and how new education policies are actually improving outcomes in classrooms. Supporting schools through volunteering, attending meetings, or advocating for better resources can make a measurable difference.

National politics also came up, with Emanuel offering his take on the tense Oval Office meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky. Rather than focusing on headlines, Emanuel warned that the bigger threat is losing the confidence of international allies. For anyone paying attention to global affairs, his comments serve as a prompt to consider how U.S. relationships overseas directly affect Chicago through trade, security, and even local job markets.

Closer to home, Mayor Brandon Johnson is preparing for a high-profile hearing in Washington on sanctuary cities. With immigration policy in the spotlight, Emanuel has been offering advice, encouraging Johnson to turn the conversation back on Congress by highlighting their ongoing failure to pass meaningful reforms. If you're watching this unfold, it's worth noting how Johnson frames the issue and whether he uses the moment to push for changes that impact Chicago's immigrant communities.

The stakes are high. Johnson is not heading to D.C. alone, six senior aides are joining him to help prepare for what’s expected to be a tough session. Senator Dick Durbin has already warned the mayor to expect aggressive questioning, calling the hearing a “trial by fire.” For those following immigration issues, this hearing is an opportunity to better understand how national debates affect local policies and what that could mean for the people living and working in your own neighborhood.

As for Emanuel, whether he throws his hat back in the ring or remains an advisor on the sidelines, one thing is clear: he's positioning himself to play a role in Chicago's future. For residents, this is the time to stay engaged. Paying attention to who’s shaping the city’s agenda, attending public forums, and supporting local journalism that covers these developments can help you stay informed and ready to participate in the decisions that impact daily life.

Chicago’s place in national conversations is only growing. With new leadership, old names returning, and major policies up for debate, the choices being made now will help define what comes next. Whether you agree with Emanuel or not, knowing who is leading the conversations, and how you can get involved, makes all the difference.