CHICAGO Mayor Lori Lightfoot fired back Wednesday at McDonalds CEO Chris Kempczinski after he raised concerns about crime in Chicago, and she defended the citys economic outlook. 2 min read. [11] She matriculated at the University of Chicago Law School, where she was awarded a full scholarship. Because no candidate reached the necessary 50% of the vote needed to win the election outright, she and Preckwinkle advanced to a runoff election. [10], In one notable case, Lightfoot went against Police Department orthodoxy by recommending the firing of officer Alvin Weems, who shot and killed an unarmed man, Michael Pleasance. [note 1][8][9], Lightfoot was born in Massillon, Ohio, the youngest of four children. [10][11][12][13][14] She grew up in a mostly white neighborhood on the west side of the city. [11] Her campaign slogan while running for high school class president was "Get on the right foot with Lightfoot". On May 29, 2019, during the first city council meeting, over which Lightfoot presided, she held her ground in debating issues with Alderman Burke. And now that you know? Low-carb supporters say rising obesity rates show conventional wisdom about nutrition, reflected in the guidelines, doesn't work for everyone. All Rights Reserved. [166][167], Lightfoot-centric internet memes arose during the coronavirus outbreak, first gaining popularity in late-March amid Lightfoot's no-nonsense approach to enforcing the state's stay-at-home order. [121], In October 2019, Lightfoot dealt with a public schools strike led by the Chicago Teachers Union and Service Employees International Union. If it is, then white people who live below the poverty line and suffer from all the same problems that black poor people suffer from are victims of racism too. But is it? Now, residents are demanding answers from their government and are asking if the placed migrants will have background checks before they move in and if the city will provide law enforcement on site. [63][64] Several former candidates, including Mendoza, Chico, Paul Vallas, and fourth-place finisher Willie Wilson also endorsed Lightfoot in the runoff. YOU are the system, dummy. Its so hard being a liberal. Edward Burke to resign after "Chicago Mayor Lori Loughlin renews call for indicted Ald. The city will also consider disciplining workers, though it will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis as the Lightfoot administration balances its public health Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. [137] On December 2, rather than letting Johnson voluntarily retire, Lightfoot fired him due to what she declared were "intolerable" actions by him and him misleading the public. [7], In the runoff, both the Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune endorsed Lightfoot. But how many problems are due to racism and how many are due to poverty? Over the last few years, her net worth has increased by 30.8 The procedure will take place Friday in New York and the rocker is expected to make a full recovery and return to the stage this summer, according to Rolling Stone magazine. The ordinance would also move the task of hearing appeals from rejected Chicago police applicants whose names have been removed from the department's eligibility list from the Human Resources Board to the purview of the Chicago Police Board. But it looks good talking about it on TV. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! [10][13], While working as a federal prosecutor, Lightfoot helped to prosecute those accused of federal crimes, including drug crimes. [120] She also announced that incumbent CEO of Chicago Public Schools Janice K. Jackson would retain her position,[120] having previously only committed to retaining her for an interim period. [153] Chicago Department of Health Commissioner, Dr. Allison Arwady, had signed a public health order under which those with the COVID-19 illness or exhibiting symptoms, with few exceptions, could not leave their place of residence, go to work or any group settings. In doing so, the Tribune said she reversed the order of her predecessor, who had called for Clinkscales's firing. Copyright 2023 PJMedia.com/Salem Media. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Here's Why, Video of Conn. Student Getting News of Harvard Acceptance Goes Viral, Finally, There's Snow In the Forecast! US Experts Reviewing Low-Carb, Other Diets for Guidelines. [17] While Lightfoot was an undergraduate, her older brother, Brian Lightfoot, was arrested in connection with a bank robbery and the shooting of a security guard. In a tweet, the band wrote that it was postponing shows in the U.S. and Canada due to Jagger's health. [59] Toni Preckwinkle and Willie Wilson were seen as targeting the black vote. [122], While Lightfoot has advocated for an elected Chicago school board, as mayor-elect she opposed state legislation that would create a 21-member board, calling it "unwieldy". [10] In 1999, Lightfoot was issued a warning for misconduct by judge Richard Posner in a case in which she was found by the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit to have misled a United States Circuit Judge regarding a suspect's whereabouts, making it impossible for the judge to stay the suspect's extradition to Norway. Im on national media and Im out in the public eye. Senator Dick Durbin to urge the Federal Emergency Management Agency to declare the damage being inflicted on the city's lakefront by historically high Lake Michigan water levels to receive federal disaster designation. [8] She won more than 73% of the overall vote in the runoff, winning in all 50 wards of the city. [101] These efforts directly implicated systemic racism as the primary issue in housing affordability, recommending an entirely new framework for housing ordinances prioritizing racial equity. MORE: Chicago Mayoral Election We can now add one more problem to Chicagos list of woes: racism is now a public health crisis. Lightfoot won 74% of the vote, compared to 26% for Preckwinkle, with 97% of precincts reporting as of 10 p.m., election results showed. [11] She assisted with Operation Silver Shovel, an FBI investigation into Chicago corruption. I'm the target." [24], In another controversial case where officer Phyllis Clinkscales shot and killed unarmed 17-year-old Robert Washington, the Chicago Tribune reported that Lightfoot determined that the shooting was justified. As a "sanctuary city", Chicago shields undocumented migrants from federal immigration enforcement and welcomes people regardless of their immigration status. US Health Officials Alarmed by Paralyzing Illness in Kids One Overall crime in the city fell But as long as the people of Chicago think that Lightfoot is doing something about the problem of racism, theyll be happy. In the position, she was in charge of investigating possible cases of police misconduct, including police shootings of civilians. [116][117][118], As of June 17, 2021, Chicago leads the nation in mass shootings, average approximately one per week. Get the top headlines of the day in your morning briefing from NBC 4 New York, Monday through Friday. [182], In early February 2020, Lightfoot joined with Illinois U.S. [92] The following Monday, at her request, Mayor Rahm Emanuel postponed city council votes on the approval of $1.6 billion in tax increment financing subsidies for both the Lincoln Yards and The 78 mega-developments. [11] She was elected high school class president three times. [121], On September 30, 2019, Lightfoot hired former alderman John Arena as a special advisor in the city's planning department. Mayor Lori Lightfoot has decreed that now, henceforth and forever, racism will be a public health crisis with all the attendant government actions that are automatically triggered by such a declaration of a crisis.. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Weems was initially believed to have accidentally shot Pleasance, but after video evidence contradicting the initial claims was revealed, even Weems himself expressed feeling that the shooting was unjustified. On May 10, 2018, Lightfoot announced her candidacy for Mayor of Chicago in the 2019 elections, her first-ever run for public office. Similar protections already largely existed under the Welcoming City Ordinance, which had been passed during her predecessor's term. [45], Lightfoot picked up several endorsements, including nods from LGBTQ groups and local politicians. [30] In 2016, the Task Force, led by Lightfoot, filed a report critical of the Chicago Police Department's practices. But Don't Get Too Excited Yet, For the first time in history, Chicago has elected an African American woman to be the city's next mayor, AFM, a rare, mysterious and sometimes deadly paralyzing illness is starting to alarm public health officials because it's striking more kids, Actresses Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman are expected in court to face charges they participated in a college admissions cheating scam. Lightfoot took office in May 2019, a year when Chicago tallied 498 homicides. Chronic illness is the leading cause of death for Black Chicagoans. [158][159], Also in early April, Lightfoot drew criticism for getting her hair cut in violation of the state's stay-at-home order. [144][145], During the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Lightfoot has been taking a number of actions aimed at quelling the severity of the outbreak in Chicago. Joey, who survived but still suffers some of the effects, was one of 228 confirmed victims in the U.S. last year of acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM, a rare, mysterious and sometimes deadly paralyzing illness that seems to ebb and flow on an every-other-year cycle and is beginning to alarm public health officials because it is striking more and more children. "[133], On May 28, 2019, Lightfoot outlined a plan to focus on reducing the city's gun violence. In addition, some non-union Chicago police officers have been ordered to go door to door to ask registered voters about issues related to crime and police response.. Lightfoot opponent Paul Vallas calls it an improper mixing of police and politics. [11] She pursued seven different types of employment to pay for her education, including working as a resident assistant[12][17][18] and as a cook for the school's football team. @chicagosmayor. US Health Officials Alarmed by Paralyzing Illness in Kids. [131][132] A notable extent of violence was still witnessed over the weekend, to which Lightfoot responded, "We cant claim victory and we certainly cant celebrate. All declaring racism a public health crisis does is serve as a bridge for politicians to pour money into the coffers of organizations and individuals who will support them at election time. [44] Lightfoot ran a television advertisement criticizing Chico, Daley, Mendoza and Preckwinkle as the "Burke Four" for their connections to the disgraced alderman. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot had a funny response when former Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown suggested Lightfoot run for governor someday. [29] Under Lightfoot's leadership, the board became more punitive, firing officers in 72% of its cases. Legal Statement. Loughlin, who played Aunt Becky on the sitcom "Full House" in the 1980s and '90s, and Giannulli are accused of paying $500,000 to have their two daughters labeled as recruits to the University of Southern California crew team, even though neither participated in the sport. Hint: not Toni Preckwinkle", "New Poll Suggests Lightfoot Poised to Clinch Mayor's Race", "A new mayoral poll reveals a big Lightfoot leadand a warning", "Poll shows Lightfoot trouncing Preckwinkle; CTU dismisses it as 'trash', "FIRST POLL: Lori trouncing Toni CHUY's campaign chief heads Lori's team BERNIE hits Chi", "Stand for Children IL PAC Poll: Lightfoot 58%, Preckwinkle 30%", "Poll: Lightfoot Stretches Lead Over Preckwinkle", "Lightfoot goes negative to defend reformer image; lands firefighter endorsement", "Lori Lightfoot and the police academy kerfuffle: Bold ideas aren't necessarily bad ideas", "Chance the Rapper made a second mayoral endorsement, and this time it's Toni Preckwinkle", "Rush Doubles Down on Controversial Lightfoot Remarks", "U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush endorses Bill Daley for Chicago mayor", "Lori Lightfoot counters Chance the Rapper's criticism during Chicago mayor debate", "A comment I made last week has been misinterpreted. Mayor Lori Lightfoot on the needs of migrants arriving in Chicago, city property taxes, crime and her hopes for a second With keto-friendly recipes sweeping social media, some followers of low-carb eating are hoping for a nod of approval in the upcoming U.S. dietary guidelines that advise Americans on what to eat. NPR's Scott Simon asks Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot about vaccination efforts in Chicago and other issues. ", Lightfoot further stated that police violence and brutality "demean the badge" and asked the public to report police misconduct. | FindLaw", "Behind Lori Lightfoot's image as police reformer, her past reveals complicated picture", "Lori Lightfoot responds to accusations she covered up police-involved shooting in 2000", "Lightfoot's long, complicated record on policing easy to distort", "Lightfoot resigns from Police Board, clearing path for possible mayoral run", "10 years ago: Christina Eilman falls from a Chicago high-rise", "Former federal prosecutor picked to run Chicago Police Board", "Opinion | Chicago will be run by a black woman. Lightfoot and Dempsey's investigations included probes of then-Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich's associate Tony Rezko and prominent Daley donor Elzie Higginbottom. Lightfoot also gave a speech to the black caucus and answered questions. [125] On September 15, 2021, Mayor Lightfoot announced that Pedro Martinez would be succeeding Torres as the new permanent CEO. You, and Lightfoot, and city hall, and the rest of the crooked Chicago Machine that has created this hell-hole of a city that was once if not perfect, certainly a lot better than it is now. Greg Abbott began bussing them to Democratic-led cities to protest federal immigration policies. [155][156], Lightfoot's administration worked with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to establish a makeshift hospital at McCormick Place. It may seem minor, but backers say low-carb's inclusion could influence nutrition advice that doctors give and help shape government food programs like school lunches. Almost 2 of every 5 Black adults in Chicago has been diagnosed with high blood pressure. Bennett, a former Amara Enyia supporter and son of Preckwinkle's campaign co-chair, said Lightfoot's record as a prosecutor and Chicago Police Department employee has worked against the interests of the black community in Chicago. [59], Lightfoot finished first in the February election, in what was considered to be an upset. Are they not suffering from this public health crisis? [39][40] However, in the fall, Emanuel dropped out of the race, and high-profile candidates like Gery Chico, Bill Daley, Susana Mendoza and Toni Preckwinkle subsequently entered. [1][2] Before becoming mayor, Lightfoot worked in private legal practice as a partner at Mayer Brown and held various government positions in Chicago. [112][113] On May 31, after indictments were brought against Burke, Lightfoot called for his resignation. An error occurred. During a Sunday news conference, Mayor Lori Lightfoot responded to a night of police brutality protests, looting, vandalism and violence in Chicagos downtown area. Much of the city again woke to damaged and ransacked businesses where looting left behind empty shelves, broken windows, graffiti and more. She helped to convict alderman Virgil Jones. [133], On May 28, 2019, Lightfoot urged city council to pass an ordinance within her first hundred days that would establish a level of civilian oversight on the Chicago Police Department. [3][4][5] Lightfoot ran for Mayor of Chicago in 2019, advancing to a runoff election against Toni Preckwinkle in the February 2019 election. [138] Lightfoot nominated David Brown to be superintendent of police on April 2, 2020. In 2019, after facing criticism over defending Powers, Lightfoot cited video evidence in favor of her former client's innocence. [26], Lightfoot was briefly hired by the city of Chicago to defend the city against charges brought by the family of a mentally ill woman, Christina Eilman, who was brought into custody by Chicago police after suffering a mental breakdown at Midway Airport. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. [26], Lightfoot then moved on to work in the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications. Rick Moran has been writing for PJ Media for 13 years. A group of Woodlawn residents gathered Thursday morning to insist the community provide resources for locals in Chicago rather than the migrants. Everyone else is saying so! PANDEMIC OF VIOLENCE: LIGHTFOOT'S RECORD ON CRIME AT THE FOREFRONT OF CHICAGO MAYORAL ELECTION. She is the first LGBTQ mayor and first black female mayor of Chicago. Chicago isnt the first to make this sort of silly declaration. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Mayor Lori Lightfoot came out swinging Thursday against the candidate who may pose the greatest threat to her reelection bid. Neither Huffman nor Loughlin and Giannulli have publicly commented on the allegations. [88], On April 4, Lightfoot named key members of her transition team: her campaign manager Manny Perez to serve as intergovernmental advisor, Maurice Classen to serve as her chief of staff, Sarah Pang and Ra Joy to serve as senior advisors, and Lisa Schneider-Fabes to serve as transition manager. [213], Lightfoot made an appearance on a TV mini-series called The Second City Presents: The Last Show Left on Earth. You can reach her on Twitter at @rumpfsarahc. "[32], In 2017, Emanuel re-appointed Lightfoot to a second term as president of the Police Board. [34][35][36] She is the first LGBTQ mayor and first black female mayor of Chicago. [67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74], During the runoff, Lightfoot faced criticism from criminal justice activists over her record in police accountability and as a prosecutor. "Your healthy child can catch a cold and then become paralyzed." [77][78] Lightfoot defended herself against Bennett's criticisms at a mayoral debate, citing her personal experiences with racial discrimination as evidence she would take the concerns of the black community into account. It wont make one fewer white person hate one fewer black person. CHICAGO Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced today that the City of Chicago is awarding $3.1 million in new grants to expand City-funded outpatient mental health services across Chicago. Lightfoots administration has for months planned to house migrants at a vacant building formerly home to Wadsworth Elementary School, 6420 S. University Ave. in Woodlawn. [100] The following month, it was announced that the task force would also come up with a proposal to rewrite the city's affordable housing ordinance. All the polls are "singing the same song" - Victory, Ogden & Fry, We Ask America and now Tulchin Research. [114][115], On June 5, 2019, Lightfoot outlined further ethics reform proposals[vague] for the city council. CHICAGO - Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) today announced a package of mental health supports for Chicago residents who may Recent polls suggest Chuy [89], As mayor-elect, Lightfoot expressed a desire for the Laquan McDonald trial to be reexamined, urging the U.S. Attorney's Office to reopen their grand jury investigation to examine if any civil rights were violated. Residents say they feel like the announcement felt like "a slap in the face" and they think there are other more pressing community issues that should be addressed first like the Chicago crime wave, homelessness issues, and the rising cost of living. These contracts are a significant problem and challenge in getting the reforms necessary. "Im here because I am concerned, I live here, and we need to know what the plan is," Carlas Prince Gilbert, a Woodlawn business owner told Fox 32. [141], In June 2020, Lightfoot voiced her opposition to an ordinance proposed by alderman Roderick Sawyer, which would end the Chicago Public Schools' contract to station Chicago Police Department officers at schools. On Sunday, with more than three months to go in 2022, Chicago marked its 500th homicide of the year. [217][218], In October 2020, Lightfoot was chosen by the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) to receive the NMQF Honorable John Lewis Lifetime Achievement Award. Racism risk, factors? Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. [11][23] Lightfoot and the Justice Department at the time disputed this characterization of her actions. The Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger will reportedly have heart surgery. "It's devastating," said his father, Jeremy Wilcox, of Herndon, Virginia. [87] Lightfoot endorsed the comparison between her transition and the Bush-Obama transition. Mayor Lori Lightfoots office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital. Our Safety., under which extra police patrols were stationed in busy locations, as well as in troubled spots, and free youth programs were organized by the Chicago Park District at about a hundred locations. You have to keep all these things straight in your head at the same time. [139] After Beck stepped down on April 15, Brown became acting superintendent, while pending confirmation to serve on a permanent basis. [212] She is also a season ticket holder for the WNBA's Chicago Sky. B. Pritzker to postpone of the city's formal Saint Patrick's Day festivities (including parades and the dyeing of the Chicago River). CHICAGO Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today joined the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and other City and community leaders to declare that racism is a public health crisis in the City of Chicago.Additionally, leaders called on all Chicagoans to work together to address the stark racial inequities that have resulted from centuries of systemic racism in [29], Lightfoot returned to the public sector in 2015, when Mayor Rahm Emanuel appointed her to replace 19-year incumbent Demetrius Carney as president of the Chicago Police Board. Eilman's family reached a $22.5 million settlement with the city. [11] Lightfoot also served as a clerk for Justice Charles Levin of the Michigan Supreme Court. Additionally, any establishments that sell liquor will have a max capacity of 100 people", "Officials Announce New Measures to Limit Coronavirus Spread as Illinois Cases Rise to 32", "State of Illinois and City of Chicago Issue New Guidance to Minimize COVID-19 Spread", "Passengers flying to the U.S. from 26 countries in Europe will face enhanced screening", "Coronavirus Chicago: Mayor Lori Lightfoot outlines steps to combat COVID-19, help small businesses", "As Illinois sees largest daily increase in coronavirus cases, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot bans contact sports; closes popular city parks, beaches and trails", "Coronavirus Chicago: Downtown hotel rooms set aside for first responders, Mayor Lori Lightfoot says", "Chicago reserves nearly 300 downtown hotel rooms for first responders", "Coronavirus Chicago: Mayor Lori Lightfoot to tour McCormick Place alternate care facility", "Mayor Lori Lightfoot joins 8 Chicago sports teams in a new 'We Are Not Playing' ad campaign to help stop the coronavirus spread", "Chicago's official new sports motto: "We Are Not Playing", "Chicago mayor defends hairstylist visit amid coronavirus outbreak", "Amid coronavirus crisis, Mayor Lori Lightfoot signs order ensuring city benefits for immigrants living in US without legal permission", "Chicago Mayor Lightfoot: Curfew On Liquor Sales Starts Thursday", "Mayor Lori Lightfoot floats move to crack down on congregating outside Chicago liquor stores", "Chicago Mayor Lightfoot supports suspending FOIA deadlines during coronavirus shutdown, says saving lives more important", "Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she broke up an apparent underage drinking party while enforcing coronavirus social distancing rules", "Mayor Lori Lightfoot Drove Around Chicago, Telling People To Go Home", "Lori Lightfoot memes are giving Chicago a laugh during coronavirus", "Memes of Mayor Lightfoot enforcing stay-at-home order bring light to dark times", "Even Mayor Lori Lightfoot Can't Get Enough of These 'Where's Lightfoot' Memes", "Chicago COVID-19: Stay-at-Home Advisory issued by Mayor Lori Lightfoot with new restrictions on gatherings, meetings", "Chicago mayor defends appearing at large Biden celebration days before issuing Thanksgiving lockdown", "Chicago Mayor Says Police Union Is 'Extraordinarily Reluctant To Embrace Reform'", by Christianna Silva, "Mayor Lori Lightfoot And Ald. [81], In the runoff, Lightfoot received endorsements from seven of the twelve candidates that had been eliminated in the first round (these endorsements coming from Gery Chico, Jerry Joyce, John Kozlar, Susana Mendoza, Neal Sales-Griffin, Paul Vallas, and Willie Wilson). [129][130], Shortly after taking office, Lightfoot faced what was regarded as her first test at public safety, as Memorial Day weekend in Chicago had, in previous years, often been a period in which Chicago had seen a spike in violence. [33] Lightfoot resigned from the Police Board in May 2018, just before announcing her mayoral campaign. This sparked considerable backlash, with many calling for her resignation, including Tulsi Gabbard. The news comes as ", "SNEED: Mayor Rahm Emanuel is modeling his mayoral transition after the seamless handover George W. Bush made to Barack Obama", "Chicago Mayor-Elect Lori Lightfoot Says President Trump Called After Her Election", "Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot announces her transition team", "Lori Lightfoot wants Laquan McDonald 'code of silence' trial re-examined", "Lori Lightfoot says city can get a better deal from Lincoln Yards developer", "Press Release Lightfoot on Lincoln Yards: Need answers, community input", "Rahm cancels votes on Lincoln Yards, 'The 78,' but one alderman wants to proceed", "BREAKING: LIGHTFOOT says yes to Lincoln Yards, 78 BUTTIGIEG likes Chicago PRITZKER rallies unions", "As Newly Elected Aldermen Protest Outside, City Council Approves $1.6 Billion Lincoln Yards, The 78 Projects", "Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot names lawyer as chief equity officer", "Lori Lightfoot sworn in as Chicago's first black woman and first openly gay mayor: 'Get ready because reform is here. She held the position for two years. Among other things she proposed live streaming video of committee meetings, changes to strengthen the rule on conflicts of interest and the transfer of control over TIF subsidies to the council's Committee on Economic and Capital Development. You created a movement for change," Lightfoot said in a victory speech before a crowd of supporters. [18] In 2013, Lightfoot was a finalist for the position of U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, but the job went to Zachary T. [76] U.S. Representative Bobby Rush, who endorsed Preckwinkle in the runoff after supporting Daley in the general election, made similar criticisms of Lightfoot centered around criminal justice issues. [59][60] Bill Daley was seen as targeting the white vote. Eilman suffered sexual assault and a seven-story fall after being released by police into Englewood. -Empowering transformative community relationships. [133], Lightfoot launched a community policing initiative in June 2019. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot launched into an expletive-filled tirade before blocking a deal city officials made with an Italian American group regarding the display of a Christopher Columbus statue, according to a lawsuit reportedly filed Tuesday. In other words, without all those risk factors, patients wont suffer from racism? [47][61][62] She placed above a crowded field of fourteen candidates. [142], In May 2021, Lightfoot nominated Annette Nance-Holt to be the city fire commissioner. [22] As president of the University of Chicago Law School's student body, she led a successful movement to ban a law firm from campus after the firm sent a recruiter who made racist and sexist remarks towards a student. [57], Shortly before the election, Preckwinkle's campaign manager, Scott Cisek, came under fire after comparing Lightfoot to a Nazi in a Facebook post. [38], By summer 2018, Lightfoot had the highest-funded campaign of any individual challenging the two-term incumbent Emanuel. [10] She specifically criticized the police union's "code of silence. [126] On September 22, the Chicago Board of Education unanimously voted to approve his appointment as CEO, scheduling him to take office on September 29. The two swore at one another after Lopez criticized the mayor's response to looting and rioting during the George Floyd protests. [25] Lightfoot said her action on the case was to push for a 30-day suspension for Clinkscales, which she implied was the most that was possible given the circumstances. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content. Lori Lightfoot Promised to Change Chicago. We have much more work to do. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot mixed it up with her challengers Saturday over abortion rights, anti-violence funding and economic development at a punchy candidate forum. [154], On March 31, 2020, Lightfoot announced that she had secured 300 hotel rooms in the city's downtown to house first responders, which they could use so that they would not need to go to their homes and risk spreading COVID-19 to their families. [83] Lightfoot won all but 20 of the city's 2,069 voting precincts. Most notably, she served as president of the Chicago Police Board and chair of the Chicago Police Accountability Task Force. [12], On May 10, 2018, Lightfoot announced her candidacy for Mayor of Chicago in the 2019 elections, her first-ever run for public office. [82], Lightfoot won the runoff election on April 2, 2019, becoming mayor-elect of Chicago. She is also the first black female mayor of Chicago. As we continue to recover from the pandemic, these coalitions will also lead hyperlocal strategies to confront the risk factors: health care and social services access, food access, housing conditions, community safety, and the physical and built neighborhood environments, said Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady.