Maria Pappas
Democratic candidate for Mayor in Illinois
$111.3K
FEB 24, 2027
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Live Odds
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
Maria Pappas is trading at 4% to win the Chicago Mayor winner? on prediction markets.
Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleTreasurer
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age77 years old (Jun 7, 1949)
GenderFemale
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LocationIllinois
BackgroundAttorney
EducationWest Liberty University (BA, Sociology)
Notable personal detailsMaria Pappas is an American attorney and politician who has served as Cook County Treasurer since 1998. She previously served on the Cook County Board of Commissioners (1990–1998). She earned degrees from West Liberty University, West Virginia University, Loyola University Chicago, and Chicago-Kent College of Law (Illinois Institute of Technology).
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Political Positions
Economy & Taxes
Maria Pappas emphasizes property-tax transparency, administrative efficiency in the treasurer’s office, and has a record of pushing for tax cuts and budget reductions while highlighting unfair property tax shifts onto homeowners. Her public statements and office analyses focus on protecting homeowners from rising property-tax burdens and improving tax administration rather than proposing major new tax increases.
Healthcare
As a Cook County official Pappas has emphasized cost-effectiveness and prevention in county health services, advocated using existing hospital capacity (leasing beds) rather than building an expensive new county hospital, and focused on serving the indigent. Available public materials document county-level management views and past statements about hospitals and prevention but do not set out a clear position on major federal reforms (e.g., Medicare for All or a public option).
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Immigration & Border
The candidate has made public comments recognizing immigrant communities’ contributions and runs culturally inclusive programs, but has not articulated detailed policy positions on immigration enforcement, asylum, or border controls. Available sources emphasize outreach and celebration of diverse immigrant groups rather than concrete immigration or border policy proposals.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports abortion access and has advocated for reinstating and funding abortion services at Cook County facilities; positions emphasize protecting access to reproductive healthcare. Public statements and past actions identify her as pro-choice.
Latest News
Maria Pappas is in the news mainly because she is running for Chicago mayor in 2027 and is now part of the early petition and fundraising phase of the race. Recent reports say she has already declared, raised about $278,000, and is preparing to gather signatures to qualify for the ballot. She has also faced scrutiny after Tyler Technologies accused her of misconduct during a delayed property tax system upgrade, a matter being reviewed by ethics officials.
Maria Pappas, Cook County contractor exchange barbs
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New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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