As Michael Bloomberg expands his presidential campaign here, the New York Democrat may be close to reeling in what would be a very helpful prize: an endorsement from Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

Political sources are reporting odds of an endorsement have risen sharply in recent weeks as some contenders, such as Sen. Kamala Harris of California, dropped out of the race and others have faded.

The mayor herself has said nothing definitive in recent interviews, but her top political aide, Dave Mellet, is doing little to discourage talk that an announcement could be coming soon

“The mayor has been pretty clear,” Mellet told me. “She’s met with him a couple of times, they’ve had a pre-existing relationship and she’s interested in his candidacy.”

In fact, Mellet added, while Lightfoot has briefly chatted with former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg a couple of times and was close to Harris, “Bloomberg probably is the only candidate still in the race that she’s sat down with and had lengthy conversations.”

Don’t expect any decision until after the South Carolina primary on Feb. 29, but public backing from Chicago’s mayor would be a big help.

One of the things the Lightfoot and Bloomberg have in common—beyond their shared City Hall experience—is John Rogers. The chairman and co-CEO of Ariel Investments is an out-front Bloomberg backer here, and like Lightfoot has long been a leader in the city's African American community.

“Based on his record as New York City’s mayor—from launching innovative programs to supporting minority-owned businesses to raising graduate rates for African American students to record highs—I know Mike will get it done,” Rogers said in a release from Bloomberg's campaign announcing the opening of five field offices and the addition of 80 staffers in Illinois. The offices notably include one on the North Side and another on the South Side, where the local congressman, U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, recently endorsed Bloomberg, too.

Bloomberg’s top staffer in the state is Kara Highfill, a longtime aide to Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs.

8 p.m. update: Mellet added: “Several outlets in recent weeks have issued conflicting and sometimes incorrect reports about Mayor Lightfoot's position in the presidential election. She has had productive conversations with multiple candidates, but she has not yet made a decision. No firm timetable for the endorsement has been set."