One of the people mentioned as a potential mayoral candidate is said to be interested in Cook County leadership so I created a new question for that.
It's from February, but just noticing what may be the first poll with who-would-you-vote-for and favorables/unfavorables for many of the potential candidates https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/24/poll-mayor-johnsons-re-elect-in-crowded-field-is-8-percent-just-7-percent-view-him-favorably-80-percent-unfavorably/
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/with-2-years-left-in-mayor-johnsons-first-term-notable-names-considering-a-run-to-unseat-him/3718331/ tv analysts on the above poll (probably, I don't think it is named)
Adding Luis Gutiérrez based on https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/march-2025/who-will-be-our-next-mayor/
Buzz around Emanuel, see https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2024/12/04/rahm-takes-the-stage-00192532 and two linked NYT pieces, as possible DNC chair, or governor, or senator, but no mention of mayoral repeat attempt.
Adding names mentioned in https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/challengers-start-circling-brandon-johnson-greg-hinz