Test your street smarts on runoffs, Chicago history and clout with our first "Politics Lite" news quiz
It’s been a news-heavy week, Chicago. With that, we thought we’d finish the weekend with something light and fun for your election-addled brains. Take our inaugural Politics Lite news quiz, on the honor system, of course, and let us know how you did. Jot down your score along with your contact info and email to staff@centerforilpolitics.org. We'll announce the winner next week! The highest scorers will get a prize.
Have fun, and don’t take yourselves too seriously. And send us your ideas for next week, too.
1. Chicago held its citywide elections on Tuesday, February 26. Mayoral candidates Toni Preckwinkle and Lori Lightfoot qualified for the April 2 runoff election. How many of Chicago’s 50 wards will hold runoff aldermanic elections on that day?
A. 9 C. 13
B. 12 D. 17
2. Which mayoral candidate was accused of lying about completing an Ironman Triathlon?
A. Jerry Joyce
B. Amara Enyia
C. Paul Vallas
D. Garry McCarthy
3. Which Irish elected official was Grand Marshall of the 2018 Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade?
A. Michael Madigan C. Patrick O’Connor
B. Edward Burke D. Anne Burke
4. If the love-it-or-hate-it James R. Thompson Center is ever turned into a waterpark, following Center for Illinois Politics’ data adviser Scott Kennedy’s suggestion, what should its signature slide be named?
A. The Pension Ramp
B. Approval Rating Free Fall
C. It’s F*^$ing Golden
D. The Horseshoe
5. Chicago’s non-partisan, run-off election system replaced the traditional political party primary followed by a general election in what year?
A. 1971 C. 1995
B. 1987 D. 1999
6. In Tuesday’s Mayoral Election, Lori Lightfoot and Toni Preckwinkle finished first and second. Which candidates finished third, fourth and fifth, and in which order?
A. William Daley C. Susana Mendoza
Susana Mendoza William Daley
Willie Wilson Jerry Joyce
B. William Daley D. William Daley
Willie Wilson Susana Mendoza
Susana Mendoza Gery Chico
7. It took Toni Preckwinkle three tries to get elected to which office?
A. Alderman C. State Representative
B. County Commissioner D. County Board President
8. Mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot was previously a lawyer at which Chicago law firm?
A. Winston & Strawn C. Jenner & Block
B. Mayer Brown D. Sidley & Austin
9. Connect the politician with the (tongue in cheek) drink:
Speaker Michael J. Madigan
Former Federal Prosecutor Lori Lightfoot
Cook County Chairman Toni Preckwinkle
IL State Senator Bill Brady
President Donald Trump
____________________________________
Moscow Mule
Apple Cider
Bud Light
Shirley Temple
Southern Comfort
10. Slightly more than 35% of Chicago’s voters participated in the mayoral election this week, a modest increase from the 2015 February election. Voter turnout peaked in the 1983 Mayoral Election between Harold Washington, Jane Byrne and Richard M. Daley. What percentage of voters turned out in that election?
A. 59 C. 71
B. 67 D. 82
11. Which former state senate leader bears the name of the honorary state government professorship chair title that the Center board member’s Professor Chris Z. Mooney holds at the University of Illinois Chicago?
A. James ‘Pate’ Philip
B. W. Russell Arrington
C. Emil Jones
D. Barack Obama
Ready to check your work? Scroll down for the answers...
ANSWER KEY
1) C
2) B
3) C
4) your choice
5) D
6) B
7) A
8) B
9) Madigan - Apple Cider, Lightfoot - Bud Light, Preckwinkle - Shirley Temple, Brady - Southern Comfort, Trump - Moscow Mule.
10) D
11) B
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