New mayor of Chicago promises that ‘reform is here’
— Lori Lightfoot, who ran for Chicago’s top job as a first-time reform candidate with few ties to the city’s entrenched political structure, was sworn in as its 56th mayor Monday during a ceremony that noted her historic firsts.
“For years they said, ‘Chicago ain’t ready for reform.’ Well, get ready because reform is here,” Lightfoot said to cheers inside a packed Wintrust Arena. She was joined onstage by such Illinois power brokers as U.S. Sens. Richard J. Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, Rep. Jesús “Chuy” Garcia, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and outgoing Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Lightfoot’s half-hour speech was deeply personal and acknowledged she is the city’s first black female leader as well as its first openly gay one. The former federal prosecutor introduced her wife and 11-yearCHICAGO old daughter, then choked up when presenting her 90-year-old mother: “You and dad told me I could be anything that I wanted . ... My gratitude to you knows no limits.”
She addressed the priority issues that had helped propel her through a crowded, raucous campaign and runoff to Monday’s inauguration: violence, police reform, the ongoing exodus of black residents and Chicago’s lack of affordable housing. She then laid out her plans to curb citywide cronyism and corruption.
“Stopping it isn’t just in the city’s interest, it’s in the City Council’s own interest,” she said before turning around to face the 50 aldermen behind her. As the crowd rose to applaud, the aldermen slowly followed.
Beyond her own historymaking distinctions, Lightfoot is the first mayoral candidate in modern times to make ending corruption a priority. That message helped deliver her landslide victory in April.
“We’re a city of the haves and have-nots, and Lori ran on leveling the playing field for all Chicago residents. I hope she restores hope. We need it,” said Kim Holmes, who came with her husband.
Immediately after the ceremony, Lightfoot signed an executive order to start the process to end aldermanic prerogative, a tradition that gives aldermen exclusive veto power in their ward over zoning, permitting and all other matters.