There are hundreds of neighborhoods in the city of Chicago and 15 candidates vying to represent all of them. Many communities have been left behind in the city's economic growth and dozens of prominent neighborhood activist groups want that to end. This week, many of those organizations are pushing the candidates to break from the horse race and the mudslinging to talk about the issues most important to their communities. Learn about some of the top issues facing Chicagoans at the street-level.

Reporting by Linda Lutton and Becky Vevea. Editing by Alex Keefe and Cate Cahan. Production by Becky Vevea and Justin Bull. 

Each week at On Background, WBEZ’s team of political reporters brings you the backstory on the week's big story. Host Becky Vevea and guests take you inside the back rooms of Chicago and Illinois government to better understand the people, places and forces shaping today’s politics.