'Non Partisan' Chicago elections were contrived after Harold Washington's 1983 and 1987 election victories
For decades, Chicago held its municipal elections in two parts: a party primary in February and the general election in April. Following the surprise (to some) election of Harold Washington as Mayor of Chicago in April 1983, state law was changed to make Chicago elections "non partisan," which resulted in the experiences that Chicago voters are now having.
By: Howard Heath
Mayoral Elections
Many people still don't know about the Rahm and Rauner connection. We need to emphasize this to friends who may be on the borderline or undecided in the election. I've already convinced a couple of people who did not know this.