Lori Lightfoot

Lightfoot was born in Massillon, Ohio, the youngest of four children. Her mother, Ann Lightfoot, was a nighttime healthcare aide and school board member, and her father, Elijah Lightfoot, was a local factory worker and janitor.{{cite web |last1=Black |first1=Curtis |title=Is Lori Lightfoot really the progressive candidate? |url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/is-lori-lightfoot-really-the-progressive-candidate/Content?oid=66619976 |website=Chicago Reader |access-date=February 18, 2019 |language=en |date=January 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190219020115/https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/is-lori-lightfoot-really-the-progressive-candidate/Content?oid=66619976 |archive-date=February 19, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Steinberg |first1=Neil |last2=FitzPatrick |first2=Lauren |title=Lori Lightfoot: From 'kickass trial lawyer' to Chicago's next mayor |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/lori-lightfoot-profile-chicago-mayoral-campaign-2019-election-federal-prosecutor-police-board/ |website=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=3 April 2019 |language=en |date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404003949/https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/lori-lightfoot-profile-chicago-mayoral-campaign-2019-election-federal-prosecutor-police-board/ |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Spielman |first1=Fran |title=Does Lori Lightfoot have a path to victory in crowded race for mayor? |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/does-lori-lightfoot-have-a-path-to-victory-in-crowded-race-for-mayor/ |website=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=February 27, 2019 |language=en |date=May 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227182343/https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/does-lori-lightfoot-have-a-path-to-victory-in-crowded-race-for-mayor/ |archive-date=February 27, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|title=Before She Was Mayor: An In-Depth Profile of Lori Lightfoot|url=https://news.wttw.com/2019/05/20/profile-chicago-mayor-lori-lightfoot|access-date=2021-04-06|website=WTTW News|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Bowean|first=Lolly|title=Lori Lightfoot: From small-town girl to big-city mayor|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/elections/ct-met-chicago-mayor-lori-lightfoot-ohio-childhood-20190403-story.html|access-date=2021-04-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=April 4, 2019 }} She grew up in a primarily white neighborhood on the west side of the city.

Lightfoot is a graduate of Washington High School in Massillon, where she was a trumpet player in the school band; sang alto in the choir; played basketball, volleyball, and softball; edited the yearbook; and was a member of the Pep Club. She was elected high school class president three times. When she ran for high school class president, Lightfoot's campaign slogan was "Get on the right foot with Lightfoot". Her high school alumni association named her a "Distinguished Citizen" in 2013.{{cite web |title=Lori E. Lightfoot |url=https://massillonwhsaa.org/awards/distinguished-citizens/lori-lightfoot/ |website=Massillon Washington High School Alumni Association |language=en |access-date=February 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227182249/https://massillonwhsaa.org/awards/distinguished-citizens/lori-lightfoot/ |archive-date=February 27, 2019 |url-status=live }} While in high school, Lightfoot helped organize a boycott of her school's lunch program over the quality of its pizza.{{cite web |last1=Ahern |first1=Mary Ann |title=Lightfoot Says Trump Called After Her Election |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/lori-lightfoot-donald-trump-chicago-mayor-508174361.html |website=NBC Chicago |date=April 5, 2019 |language=en |access-date=April 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405223952/https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/lori-lightfoot-donald-trump-chicago-mayor-508174361.html |archive-date=April 5, 2019 |url-status=live }} Her boycott was a success as the school provided more flavorful pizza. Her punishment for the boycott was detention.

Lightfoot received her Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Michigan in 1984, graduating with honors.{{cite web |last1=Kozlowski |first1=Kim |last2=Rahal |first2=Sarah |title=UM alum Lightfoot to be Chicago's 1st black female mayor |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/04/02/um-alum-lightfoot-chicago-1st-black-female-mayor/3342865002/ |website=Detroit News |access-date=4 April 2019 |language=en |date=2 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404001316/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/04/02/um-alum-lightfoot-chicago-1st-black-female-mayor/3342865002/ |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |url-status=live }} She pursued seven different types of employment to pay for her education, including working as a resident assistant{{cite web |last1=Preston |first1=Charles |title=Lori Lightfoot looks to tackle obstacles to become mayor |url=https://chicagodefender.com/2018/06/06/lori-lightfoot-looks-to-tackle-obstacles-to-become-mayor/ |website=The Chicago Defender |access-date=April 2, 2019 |language=en |date=June 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402234207/https://chicagodefender.com/2018/06/06/lori-lightfoot-looks-to-tackle-obstacles-to-become-mayor/ |archive-date=April 2, 2019 |url-status=dead }} and as a cook for the school's football team.{{cite web |last1=Ahern |first1=Mary Ann |title=Preckwinkle, Lightfoot Reveal Differing Strategies Ahead of Election |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/toni-preckwinkle-lori-lightfoot-reveal-differing-strategies-ahead-of-election/1988/ |website=NBC Chicago |access-date=6 March 2020 |date=28 February 2019}} She also held factory jobs at home during summers to help pay for her education. 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.

Lightfoot held positions working for Congress members Ralph Regula and Barbara Mikulski before deciding to attend law school.{{cite web |last1=Ihejirika |first1=Maudlyne |title=The woman at the center of Rahm Emanuel's efforts to reform the police |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/the-woman-at-the-center-of-rahm-emanuels-efforts-to-reform-the-police/ |website=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=4 April 2019 |language=en |date=24 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404015843/https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/the-woman-at-the-center-of-rahm-emanuels-efforts-to-reform-the-police/ |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Ring |first1=Trudy |title=The Progressive Black Lesbian Who Could Be Chicago's Mayor |url=https://www.advocate.com/politics/2019/2/20/progressive-black-lesbian-who-could-be-chicagos-mayor |website=www.advocate.com |access-date=February 20, 2019 |language=en |date=February 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220155334/https://www.advocate.com/politics/2019/2/20/progressive-black-lesbian-who-could-be-chicagos-mayor |archive-date=February 20, 2019 |url-status=live }} She has said she chose to attend law school not because of her brother's legal troubles, but because she wanted a job that offered financial independence. She matriculated at the University of Chicago Law School, where she was awarded a full scholarship. 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. Lightfoot quarterbacked an intramural flag football team while at Chicago Law School. Lightfoot also served as a clerk for Justice Charles Levin of the Michigan Supreme Court. She graduated from the University of Chicago with her Juris Doctor degree in 1989.{{cite web |last1=Sun-Times Editorial Board |title=Why the Sun-Times endorses Lori Lightfoot to be Chicago's next mayor |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/lori-lightfoot-chicago-mayor-election-2019/ |website=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=February 18, 2019 |language=en |date=February 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212225622/https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/lori-lightfoot-chicago-mayor-election-2019/ |archive-date=February 12, 2019 |url-status=live }}

After law school, Lightfoot became a practicing attorney at the Mayer Brown law firm, serving a wide cross-section of clients. Lightfoot first entered the public sector as Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. During her mayoral campaign, Lightfoot cited several reasons for entering public service, including a desire to represent the African-American community, a sense of injustice based on the murder of a family member by a Ku Klux Klan member in the 1920s, and struggles with the law encountered by her older brother, who was charged with possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute.

While working as a federal prosecutor, Lightfoot helped to prosecute those accused of federal crimes, including drug crimes. She assisted with Operation Silver Shovel, an FBI investigation into Chicago corruption. She helped to convict alderman Virgil Jones. 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.{{cite web |url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-7th-circuit/1014145.html |title=IN RE: Attorney Lori E. LIGHTFOOT. | FindLaw |publisher=Caselaw.findlaw.com |access-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323021055/https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-7th-circuit/1014145.html |archive-date=March 23, 2019 |url-status=live }} Lightfoot and the Justice Department disputed this characterization of her actions.{{cite web |title=Behind Lori Lightfoot's image as police reformer, her past reveals complicated picture |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/elections/ct-met-lori-lightfoot-police-reform-20190220-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |access-date=February 20, 2019 |date=February 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220182541/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/elections/ct-met-lori-lightfoot-police-reform-20190220-story.html |archive-date=February 20, 2019 |url-status=live }}

In 2002, Lightfoot was appointed chief administrator of the Chicago Police Department Office of Professional Standards, a now-defunct governmental police oversight group, by Police Superintendent Terry Hillard. She held the position for two years. In the position, she was in charge of investigating possible cases of police misconduct, including police shootings of civilians. However, a Chicago Tribune report found that the Office of Professional Standards' investigations often lacked thoroughness. Lightfoot says her recommendations for disciplinary action were often rejected by the police department.

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. Weems was initially believed to have accidentally shot Pleasance, but after video evidence contradicting the initial claims was revealed, even Weems himself expressed the view that the shooting was unjustified. Weems was not fired by the Chicago Police Department, but the city was eventually forced to pay a settlement to the Pleasance family. Weems later committed suicide.

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. In doing so, the Tribune said she reversed the order of her predecessor, who had called for Clinkscales's firing. Clinkscales's account of the events of the shooting had been found to contain untrue statements in an investigation. Lightfoot disputes this account of Clinkscales's case, saying that the police superintendent at the time was responsible for declining Lightfoot's predecessor's finding that the shooting was unjustified.{{cite web |last1=Wall |first1=Craig |title=Lori Lightfoot responds to accusations she covered up police-involved shooting in 2000 |url=https://abc7chicago.com/politics/lori-lightfoot-responds-to-accusations-she-covered-up-police-involved-shooting/5204010/ |website=ABC7 Chicago |access-date=April 1, 2019 |language=en |date=March 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401074013/https://abc7chicago.com/politics/lori-lightfoot-responds-to-accusations-she-covered-up-police-involved-shooting/5204010/ |archive-date=April 1, 2019 |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web |last1=Black |first1=Curtis |title=Lightfoot's long, complicated record on policing easy to distort |url=https://www.chicagoreporter.com/lightfoots-long-complicated-record-on-policing-easy-to-distort/ |website=Chicago Reporter |access-date=April 1, 2019 |date=March 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401074011/https://www.chicagoreporter.com/lightfoots-long-complicated-record-on-policing-easy-to-distort/ |archive-date=April 1, 2019 |url-status=live }}

Lightfoot then moved on to work in the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications. She was later hired by Mayor Richard M. Daley as deputy chief of the Chicago Department of Procurement Services. There, she and her boss, Mary Dempsey, investigated Chicago corruption, drawing Mayor Daley's ire in the process. 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 worked at the Department of Procurement Services for a few months, subsequently returning to Mayer Brown. Lightfoot has suggested that she left the Department of Procurement Services because of dismay at corruption in City Hall.

As an attorney at Mayer Brown, Lightfoot represented Republicans in two cases contesting supposed Democratic gerrymandering. At Mayer Brown, she also defended Chicago police officer Paul Powers against charges of physical assault. In 2019, after facing criticism over defending Powers, Lightfoot cited video evidence in favor of her former client's innocence.

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. Eilman suffered sexual assault and a seven-story fall after being released by police into the dangerous Englewood neighborhood. Eilman's family reached a $22.5 million settlement with the city.{{cite web |last1=Byrne |first1=John |title=Lightfoot resigns from Police Board, clearing path for possible mayoral run |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-lori-lightfoot-steps-down-police-board-20180507-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |access-date=February 27, 2019 |date=February 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227182224/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-lori-lightfoot-steps-down-police-board-20180507-story.html |archive-date=February 27, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=staff |first1=Chicago Tribune |title=10 years ago: Christina Eilman falls from a Chicago high-rise |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-christina-eilman-10-year-anniversary-20160502-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |access-date=February 27, 2019 |date=May 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227182247/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-christina-eilman-10-year-anniversary-20160502-story.html |archive-date=February 27, 2019 |url-status=live }}

Lightfoot has also served on the boards of the Illinois chapters of NARAL and the ACLU. She has served as external counsel for Bank of America. 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. Fardon.{{cite web |title=Former federal prosecutor picked to run Chicago Police Board |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/former-federal-prosecutor-picked-to-run-chicago-police-board/ |website=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=February 27, 2019 |language=en |date=May 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227182323/https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/former-federal-prosecutor-picked-to-run-chicago-police-board/ |archive-date=February 27, 2019 |url-status=live }}

File:Lori Lightfoot (272218).jpg's report in 2016]]

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. The board's main responsibility is to make recommendations for or against disciplinary action on certain disputed cases of police misconduct. Under Lightfoot's leadership, the board became more punitive, firing officers in 72% of its cases. In the wake of the controversy over the murder of Laquan McDonald, Emanuel also appointed Lightfoot as chair of a special Police Accountability Task Force.{{cite web |url=https://chicagopatf.org/about/task-force-members/ |website=chicagopatf.org |title=Police Accountability Task Force |access-date=February 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403081934/https://chicagopatf.org/about/task-force-members/ |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |url-status=live }} In 2016, the Task Force, led by Lightfoot, filed a report critical of the Chicago Police Department's practices. She specifically criticized the police union's "code of silence".{{cite news |last1=Warren |first1=James |title=Opinion {{!}} Chicago will be run by a black woman. But is it ready for reform? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/02/28/chicago-will-be-run-by-black-woman-is-it-ready-reform/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=1 March 2019 |language=en |date=28 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301024107/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/02/28/chicago-will-be-run-by-black-woman-is-it-ready-reform/ |archive-date=March 1, 2019 |url-status=live }} The anti-police brutality activist organization Black Youth Project 100's Chicago chapter released a statement denouncing Lightfoot and the board and task force for a "lack of accountability".{{cite web |title=Official Statement from BYP100 Chicago Chapter on Lori Lightfoot and the Mayor Appointed Police Task Force » BYP100 |url=https://byp100.org/official-statement-from-byp100-chicago-chapter-on-lori-lightfoot-and-the-mayor-appointed-police-task-force/ |website=BYP100 |access-date=February 27, 2019 |date=February 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228004017/https://byp100.org/official-statement-from-byp100-chicago-chapter-on-lori-lightfoot-and-the-mayor-appointed-police-task-force/ |archive-date=February 28, 2019 |url-status=dead }}{{better source needed|date=January 2024}}

In 2017, Emanuel re-appointed Lightfoot to a second term as president of the Police Board. The decision came after Lightfoot and Emanuel had publicly come into conflict, particularly over Emanuel's attempts to reach a police reform deal with Trump Administration Justice Department officials that would avoid a consent decree and oversight from a federal judge. Lightfoot called Emanuel's approach "fundamentally flawed". At the time, there was already speculation that Lightfoot was planning a run for mayor of Chicago in 2019, though she denied the rumors.{{cite web |last1=Ruthhart |first1=Bill |last2=Byrne |first2=John |title=Emanuel to reappoint Lightfoot as president of Chicago's police discipline board |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-rahm-emanuel-lori-lightfoot-met-0804-20170803-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |access-date=February 27, 2019 |date=August 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227154156/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-rahm-emanuel-lori-lightfoot-met-0804-20170803-story.html |archive-date=February 27, 2019 |url-status=live }} Lightfoot resigned from the Police Board in May 2018, just before announcing her mayoral campaign.

{{See also|2019 Chicago mayoral election}}

File:Bring_In_The_Light_(Lori_Lightfoot).png

On May 10, 2018, Lightfoot announced her candidacy for mayor of Chicago in the 2019 elections, her first-ever run for public office.{{Cite news|url=http://abc7chicago.com/politics/lori-lightfoot-running-for-chicago-mayor/3454996/|title=Lori Lightfoot running for Chicago mayor|date=May 10, 2018|work=ABC7 Chicago|access-date=July 21, 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613184530/http://abc7chicago.com/politics/lori-lightfoot-running-for-chicago-mayor/3454996/|archive-date=June 13, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Chicago Tribune staff |title=Who is Lori Lightfoot? |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/elections/ct-met-cb-lori-lightfoot-chicago-mayor-bio-20190124-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |access-date=February 18, 2019 |date=January 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218084838/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/elections/ct-met-cb-lori-lightfoot-chicago-mayor-bio-20190124-story.html |archive-date=February 18, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/09/chicago-mayor-race-rahm-emanuel-women-of-color-lori-lightfoot-preckwinkle-mendoza/|title=In Chicago mayor's race, Rahm Emanuel's exit makes room for powerful women of color|website=motherjones.com|access-date=September 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922024502/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/09/chicago-mayor-race-rahm-emanuel-women-of-color-lori-lightfoot-preckwinkle-mendoza/|archive-date=September 22, 2018|url-status=live}} Lightfoot is the first openly lesbian candidate in the history of Chicago mayoral elections.{{cite web|url=https://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/94063636|title=Lightfoot to become first openly lesbian candidate for Chicago mayor|last=Staff|first=GoPride com News|website=ChicagoPride.com|language=EN|access-date=January 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020043651/http://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/94063636|archive-date=October 20, 2018|url-status=live}}

By summer 2018, Lightfoot had the highest-funded campaign of any individual challenging the two-term incumbent mayor, Rahm Emanuel.{{cite web|url=https://abc7chicago.com/3699337/|title=Emanuel campaign fundraising far outpaces competition|date=July 3, 2018|website=ABC7 Chicago|access-date=May 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325233447/https://abc7chicago.com/3699337/|archive-date=March 25, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/09/04/mayor-rahm-emanuel-more-campaign-money-than-political-opponents-combined/ |title=Mayor Rahm Emanuel Has More Campaign Money Than Political Opponents – CBS Chicago |publisher=Chicago.cbslocal.com |date=September 4, 2018 |access-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090322/https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/09/04/mayor-rahm-emanuel-more-campaign-money-than-political-opponents-combined/ |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |url-status=live }} In the fall, Emanuel dropped out of the race. High-profile candidates such as Gery Chico, William M. Daley, Susana Mendoza, and Toni Preckwinkle then entered the race.{{cite magazine |last1=Slevin |first1=Peter |title=In Chicago's Mayoral Race, the Establishment Leads the Outsiders |magazine=The New Yorker |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/dispatch/in-the-chicago-mayors-race-a-slew-of-outsiders-face-the-citys-establishment |access-date=March 26, 2019 |language=en |date=February 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327085818/https://www.newyorker.com/news/dispatch/in-the-chicago-mayors-race-a-slew-of-outsiders-face-the-citys-establishment |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |url-status=live }}

In December, after Lightfoot submitted the petitions necessary to secure a place on the ballot, Preckwinkle's campaign filed a challenge claiming that many of Lightfoot's petitions were fraudulent. The Chicago Board of Elections Commissioners found Lightfoot had enough valid petitions to remain on the ballot, and Preckwinkle's campaign withdrew its challenge.{{cite web |last1=Esposito |first1=Stefano |title=Lightfoot stays on mayoral ballot; Preckwinkle campaign drops petition challenge |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/lightfoot-preckwinkle-ballot-petition-challenge-chicago-mayor-election-2019/ |website=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=February 28, 2019 |language=en |date=December 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228192436/https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/lightfoot-preckwinkle-ballot-petition-challenge-chicago-mayor-election-2019/ |archive-date=February 28, 2019 |url-status=live }} In January, the race was upended by a major corruption scandal involving Chicago alderman Ed Burke.{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/01/23/chicago-federal-political-corruption-scandal-mayor-election-alderman-ed-burke/2581411002/ |title=Chicago: Political corruption charges shadow mayor's race |publisher=Usatoday.com |access-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090844/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/01/23/chicago-federal-political-corruption-scandal-mayor-election-alderman-ed-burke/2581411002/ |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |url-status=live }} Lightfoot ran a television advertisement criticizing Chico, Daley, Mendoza and Preckwinkle as the "Burke Four" for their connections to the disgraced alderman.{{cite web |last1=Spielman |first1=Fran |title=Lightfoot TV ad shines light on 'Burke Four' she says are 'like cockroaches' |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/lightfoot-tv-commercial-burke-aldermen-cockroaches-chico-mendoza-daley-preckwinkle-chicago-mayor-election-2019/ |website=Chicago Sun-Times |language=en |date=February 6, 2019 |access-date=March 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326233405/https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/lightfoot-tv-commercial-burke-aldermen-cockroaches-chico-mendoza-daley-preckwinkle-chicago-mayor-election-2019/ |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |url-status=live }}

Lightfoot picked up several endorsements, including nods from LGBTQ groups and local politicians.{{cite web |last=McClelland |first=Edward |url=http://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/February-2019/How-Lori-Lightfoot-Won-Chicago-Mayor-Race/ |title=How Lori Lightfoot Finished First | Chicago magazine | Politics & City Life February 2019 |publisher=Chicagomag.com |date=February 27, 2019 |access-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405200055/http://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/February-2019/How-Lori-Lightfoot-Won-Chicago-Mayor-Race/ |archive-date=April 5, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Mark |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/lori-lightfoot-hangs-tough-amazing-turnaround/ |title=Lightfoot hangs tough for an amazing turnaround by any standard |newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |date=February 26, 2019 |access-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327091249/https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/lori-lightfoot-hangs-tough-amazing-turnaround/ |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |url-status=live }} In February, Lightfoot won the endorsement of the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board. As close to the election as late January, Lightfoot's support ranged between 2% and 5% in polls.{{cite web |author=Dr. Willie Wilson |url=https://twitter.com/DrWillieWilson/status/1091397471559999489 |title=Dr. Willie Wilson on Twitter: "Victory Research Poll @nbcchicago @ABC7Chicago @cbschicago @fox32news @WVON1690 @wttw @WBBMNewsradio @wlsam890 @V103 @v103chicago @WGCI @1075wgci @WVON1690 @Power92Chicago @ChicagoPower92 @1063Chicago @B96Chicago @TheJamTVShow @GoodDayChicago @wsoeorg @Chicago_NC @WGNRadioNews‌" |publisher=Twitter.com |date=February 1, 2019 |access-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419223458/https://twitter.com/DrWillieWilson/status/1091397471559999489 |archive-date=April 19, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/mayoral-race-we-ask-america-poll-preckwinkle-mendoza-daley-chico-wilson/|title=Poll jam: Preckwinkle, Daley inch ahead as all 14 struggle to crack 13 percent|website=Chicago Sun-Times|date=January 25, 2019|language=en|access-date=February 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203045727/https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/mayoral-race-we-ask-america-poll-preckwinkle-mendoza-daley-chico-wilson/|archive-date=February 3, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/398217562/Sun-Times-Chicago-Mayoral-Jan-2019-Draft|title=Sun Times Chicago Mayoral Jan 2019 Draft {{!}} Opinion Poll {{!}} Margin Of Error|website=Scribd|language=en|access-date=February 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326154031/https://www.scribd.com/document/398217562/Sun-Times-Chicago-Mayoral-Jan-2019-Draft|archive-date=March 26, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000168-7ed8-da33-a37f-7efd31430001|title=RE: Preckwinkle's Support Declines by Near Double Digits|last=David Binder Research|date=January 22, 2019|website=Politico.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204231546/https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000168-7ed8-da33-a37f-7efd31430001|archive-date=February 4, 2019|access-date=February 4, 2019|url-status=live}} She surged in polls later in the race, consistently polling at or near double-digits in surveys released in the weeks leading up to the election.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/nbc-5-telemundo-chicago-mayor-race-poll-505857991.html|title=5-Person Dash to Finish of Chicago Mayoral Race, Poll Shows|website=NBC Chicago|date=February 14, 2019 |access-date=February 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228074427/https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/nbc-5-telemundo-chicago-mayor-race-poll-505857991.html|archive-date=February 28, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000169-236e-dd5d-a5eb-7beeb54f0000|title=Three-Way Tie on the Eve of Chicago's Mayoral Election|last=Loria|first=Jane|website=Politico|date=February 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225223826/https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000169-236e-dd5d-a5eb-7beeb54f0000|archive-date=February 25, 2019|access-date=February 25, 2019|url-status=live}}

In what was considered to be an upset, Lightfoot finished first in the February election.{{cite web |last=Ann |first=Mary |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Spurred-on-By-Upset-Win-Lightfoot-Gains-Momentum-Ahead-of-Runoff-506722251.html |title=Spurred on By Upset Win, Lightfoot Gains Momentum Ahead of Runoff |date=March 5, 2019 |publisher=NBC Chicago |access-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090655/https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Spurred-on-By-Upset-Win-Lightfoot-Gains-Momentum-Ahead-of-Runoff-506722251.html |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Kapos |first1=Shia |title=SHOCKER: It's LORI v. TONI in runoff — WINNERS & LOSERS — 3 aldermen are OUT |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2019/02/27/shocker-its-a-lori-v-toni-runoff-winners-losers-3-sitting-aldermen-are-out-400591 |publisher=Politico |access-date=3 February 2020 |language=en |date=27 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203200327/https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2019/02/27/shocker-its-a-lori-v-toni-runoff-winners-losers-3-sitting-aldermen-are-out-400591 |archive-date=February 3, 2020 |url-status=live }} She placed first in a crowded field of fourteen candidates. Because no candidate reached the necessary 50% of the vote needed to win the election outright, she and Preckwinkle advanced to a runoff election.

In the runoff, both the Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune endorsed Lightfoot.{{cite web |last1=Editorial Board |title=Tribune Editorial Board endorsement for mayor of Chicago: Lori Lightfoot |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-lori-lightfoot-endorsement-chicago-mayor-20190314-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |access-date=March 26, 2019 |date=March 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326053520/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-lori-lightfoot-endorsement-chicago-mayor-20190314-story.html |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Sun-Times Editorial Board |title=EDITORIAL: Finish the job, Chicago, and elect Lori Lightfoot for mayor |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/lori-lightfoot-toni-preckwinkle-endorsement-chicago-mayoral-election/ |website=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=March 26, 2019 |language=en |date=March 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327091103/https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/lori-lightfoot-toni-preckwinkle-endorsement-chicago-mayoral-election/ |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |url-status=live }} Several former candidates, including Mendoza, Chico, Paul Vallas, and fourth-place finisher Willie Wilson also endorsed Lightfoot in the runoff.{{cite web |last1=Spielman |first1=Fran |last2=Esposito |first2=Stefano |last3=Closson |first3=Troy |title=Wilson endorsement caps good week for Lightfoot's mayoral campaign |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/chicago-mayoral-runoff-lori-lightfoot-willie-wilson-endorsement/ |website=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=March 26, 2019 |language=en |date=March 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326010112/https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/chicago-mayoral-runoff-lori-lightfoot-willie-wilson-endorsement/ |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=staff |first1=Chicago Tribune |title=Who are losing mayoral candidates backing in the runoff election? Hint: not Toni Preckwinkle |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/elections/ct-met-cb-chicago-mayors-race-endorsements-20190325-story.html#nws=true |website=chicagotribune.com |access-date=March 26, 2019 |date=March 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326052449/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/elections/ct-met-cb-chicago-mayors-race-endorsements-20190325-story.html#nws=true |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |url-status=live }} Lightfoot held a substantial lead over Preckwinkle in polls conducted during the runoff campaign.{{Cite news|title=A new mayoral poll reveals a big Lightfoot lead—and a warning|url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/new-mayoral-poll-reveals-big-lightfoot-lead-and-warning|last=Hinz|first=Greg|date=March 25, 2019|work=Crain's Chicago Business|access-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327052012/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/new-mayoral-poll-reveals-big-lightfoot-lead-and-warning|archive-date=March 27, 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|title=Poll: Lightfoot Stretches Lead Over Preckwinkle|url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Poll-Lightfoot-Stretches-Lead-Over-Preckwinkle-506687901.html|last=Conboy|first=Benjamin|date=March 4, 2019|work=WMAQ-TV|access-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327052013/https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Poll-Lightfoot-Stretches-Lead-Over-Preckwinkle-506687901.html|archive-date=March 27, 2019|url-status=live}}

During the runoff, Lightfoot faced criticism from criminal justice activists over her record in police accountability and as a prosecutor.{{cite web |last1=Editorial Board |title=Lori Lightfoot and the police academy kerfuffle: Bold ideas aren't necessarily bad ideas |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-lightfoot-police-academy-reform-consent-decree-20190319-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |access-date=March 26, 2019 |date=March 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326061528/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-lightfoot-police-academy-reform-consent-decree-20190319-story.html |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web |last1=Pratt |first1=Gregory |last2=Perez Jr. |first2=Juan |title=Lori Lightfoot counters Chance the Rapper's criticism during Chicago mayor debate |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/elections/ct-met-chicago-mayors-race-wttw-debate-20190321-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |access-date=March 26, 2019 |date=March 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326053539/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/elections/ct-met-chicago-mayors-race-wttw-debate-20190321-story.html |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |url-status=live }} Lightfoot also faced activist criticism over comments at a University of Chicago forum where she suggested turning some shuttered schools in the city into police academies.{{cite web |last1=Khwaja |first1=Maria |title=Op-Ed: Lori Lightfoot's Dark Promises |url=https://southsideweekly.com/op-ed-lori-lightfoots-dark-promises-policing/ |website=South Side Weekly |access-date=March 26, 2019 |date=March 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326230624/https://southsideweekly.com/op-ed-lori-lightfoots-dark-promises-policing/ |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |url-status=live }} Lightfoot later disavowed this suggestion via Twitter.{{cite web |last1=Lightfoot |first1=Lori |title=A comment I made last week has been misinterpreted. Let me be clear: I am not proposing creating any additional police training facilities. Mayor Emanuel's proposal has passed the City Council and the academy will be located on the West Side. |url=https://twitter.com/LightfootForChi/status/1108707018758602754 |website=@LightfootForChi |access-date=March 26, 2019 |language=en |date=March 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421175548/https://twitter.com/LightfootForChi/status/1108707018758602754 |archive-date=April 21, 2019 |url-status=live}}

In the runoff, Lightfoot received endorsements from seven of the twelve candidates that had been eliminated in the first round. Preckwinkle, by contrast, received no endorsements at all from any candidates that had been eliminated in the first round.{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/elections/ct-met-cb-chicago-mayors-race-endorsements-20190325-story.html |title=Who are losing mayoral candidates backing in the runoff election? Hint: not Toni Preckwinkle |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |access-date=April 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326052449/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/elections/ct-met-cb-chicago-mayors-race-endorsements-20190325-story.html |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |url-status=live }}

Lightfoot won the runoff election on April 2, 2019, becoming mayor-elect of Chicago. She won more than 73% of the overall vote in the runoff, winning in all 50 wards of the city.{{cite web |title=Chicago 2019 Mayor and Alderman Election Results – Chicago Sun-Times |url=https://elections.suntimes.com/results/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403154517/https://elections.suntimes.com/results/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 April 2019 |website=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=3 April 2019 |date=3 April 2019}} Lightfoot won all but 20 of the city's 2,069 voting precincts.{{cite web |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/preckwinkle-campaign-staffer-defeat-why-he-voted-lightfoot-mayor-county-board/ |title=Preckwinkle staffer on why 'everyone' voted for Lightfoot—including the staffer |last=Hinton |first=Rachel |date=April 3, 2019 |website=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=April 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404031758/https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/preckwinkle-campaign-staffer-defeat-why-he-voted-lightfoot-mayor-county-board/ |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |url-status=live }} Voter turnout was 32.89%, almost a record low.{{cite web |title=Chicago Election Summary Report |url=https://chicagoelections.com/dm/SummaryReport.pdf?v=1555491002197 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203134409/https://chicagoelections.com/dm/SummaryReport.pdf?v=1555491002197 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 3, 2020 |date=April 2, 2019 }}

;Chart of progression of Lightfoot's poll numbers in first round

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Lightfoot's administration faced criticism due to rising crime rates in Chicago and accusations of covering up police misconduct. During her term, she clashed with members of the Chicago City Council, the Chicago Teachers Union, and Illinois governor J. B. Pritzker's administration. The New York Times remarked that she had an "uncanny ability to make political enemies." However, Lightfoot received praise for her efforts to build affordable housing, repair dilapidated areas of the city, and raise the minimum wage.{{Cite news |last1=Bosman |first1=Julie |last2=Smith |first2=Mitch |date=2022-01-28 |title=Lori Lightfoot Promised to Change Chicago. Crises Keep Piling Up. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/28/us/lori-lightfoot-chicago.html |access-date=2022-12-19 |issn=0362-4331}}

File:Pelosi meets with Chicago Mayor-elect Lightfoot.jpg Nancy Pelosi on May 7, 2019]]

File:Lori Lightfoot and Ivanka Trump D5 p2fKXoAArRkZ.jpg

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.{{cite web |title=Lori Lightfoot wants Laquan McDonald 'code of silence' trial re-examined |url=https://wgntv.com/2019/04/04/lori-lightfoot-wants-laquan-mcdonald-code-of-silence-trial-re-examined/ |website=WGN-TV |access-date=7 April 2019 |date=4 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405120208/https://wgntv.com/2019/04/04/lori-lightfoot-wants-laquan-mcdonald-code-of-silence-trial-re-examined/ |archive-date=April 5, 2019 |url-status=live }}

On April 6, 2019, Lightfoot told the Chicago Sun-Times that her staff would, during her first post-election weekend, spend time examining the city's 600-page agreement with Sterling Bay regarding the Lincoln Yards development.{{cite web |last1=Spielman |first1=Fran |title=Lori Lightfoot says city can get a better deal from Lincoln Yards developer |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/lori-lightfoot-lincoln-yards-tif-subsidy-affordable-housing-finance-committee-vote/ |website=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=6 April 2019 |date=6 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406124919/https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/lori-lightfoot-lincoln-yards-tif-subsidy-affordable-housing-finance-committee-vote/ |archive-date=April 6, 2019 |url-status=live }} During her campaign, Lightfoot had been critical of the process that was being taken to reach the agreement.{{cite web |title=Press Release – Lightfoot on Lincoln Yards: Need answers, community input |url=https://lightfootforchicago.com/press-release-lightfoot-on-lincoln-yards-need-answers-community-input/ |website=Lori Lightfoot for Chicago |access-date=6 April 2019 |date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406211533/https://lightfootforchicago.com/press-release-lightfoot-on-lincoln-yards-need-answers-community-input/ |archive-date=April 6, 2019 |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web |last1=Spielman |first1=Fran |title=Rahm cancels votes on Lincoln Yards, 'The 78,' but one alderman wants to proceed |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/emanuel-vote-lincoln-yards-78-lightfoot-tif-finance-committee-city-council/ |website=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=8 April 2019 |date=8 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408151457/https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/emanuel-vote-lincoln-yards-78-lightfoot-tif-finance-committee-city-council/ |archive-date=April 8, 2019 |url-status=live }} After the developers of the two projects agreed to increase commitments to hiring minority-owned and women-owned contractors, Lightfoot announced her support for the projects, which were approved one day subsequent to her declaration of support.{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/2uYiXJf|title=BREAKING: LIGHTFOOT says yes to Lincoln Yards, 78 — BUTTIGIEG likes Chicago — PRITZKER rallies unions|last1=Kapos|first1=Shia|last2=Hurst|first2=Adrienne|website=POLITICO|date=April 10, 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-04-10}}{{Cite web|url=https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/04/10/lincoln-yards-expected-to-be-approved-during-city-council-meeting/|title=As Newly Elected Aldermen Protest Outside, City Council Approves $1.6 Billion Lincoln Yards, The 78 Projects|website=Block Club Chicago|date=April 10, 2019|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410235255/https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/04/10/lincoln-yards-expected-to-be-approved-during-city-council-meeting/|archive-date=April 10, 2019|url-status=live}}

On May 20, 2019, Lightfoot officially took office as mayor of Chicago after being sworn in at 11:15 am by Magistrate Judge Susan E. Cox of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois at the Wintrust Arena,{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-met-lori-lightfoot-chicago-mayor-inauguration-20190519-story.html|title=Lori Lightfoot sworn in as Chicago's first black woman and first openly gay mayor: 'Get ready because reform is here.'|first=Gregory Pratt, John|last=Byrne|website=chicagotribune.com|date=May 20, 2019 |access-date=May 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521045038/https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-met-lori-lightfoot-chicago-mayor-inauguration-20190519-story.html|archive-date=May 21, 2019|url-status=live}} accompanied by her wife and daughter.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/lori-lightfoot-inauguration-live-blog-510157761.html|title=Live Blog: Lori Lightfoot Sworn in as Chicago's 56th Mayor|website=NBC Chicago|date=May 20, 2019 |access-date=May 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520175817/https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/lori-lightfoot-inauguration-live-blog-510157761.html|archive-date=May 20, 2019|url-status=live}} Upon taking office, Lightfoot became the first openly LGBT Chicago mayor, the first black female Chicago mayor, as well as the second female Chicago mayor (after Jane Byrne) and third Chicago black mayor (after Harold Washington and Eugene Sawyer).

On October 14, 2019, Lightfoot announced the creation of an affordable housing task force set to consist of 20 members and study solutions to housing affordability over a 4- to 6-month period.{{cite web |title=Lightfoot Announces Task Force To Tackle City's Shortage Of Affordable Housing |url=https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/10/14/mayor-lori-lightfoot-affordable-housing-task-force/ |publisher=CBS News Chicago |access-date=15 October 2019 |date=14 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015163212/https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/10/14/mayor-lori-lightfoot-affordable-housing-task-force/ |archive-date=October 15, 2019 |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web |last1=Hinz |first1=Greg |title=Lightfoot panel to rewrite city's affordable housing law |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/lightfoot-panel-rewrite-citys-affordable-housing-law |publisher=Crain's Chicago Business |access-date=26 November 2019 |language=en |date=20 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123004355/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/lightfoot-panel-rewrite-citys-affordable-housing-law |archive-date=November 23, 2019 |url-status=live }} These efforts directly implicated systemic racism as the primary issue in housing affordability, recommending an entirely new framework for housing ordinances prioritizing racial equity. However, initial affordable housing goals were set back by budget shortfalls due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web |url=https://news.wttw.com/2020/09/14/chicago-affordable-housing-task-force |title=Chicago Must Build More Affordable Housing That Black, Latino Chicagoans Can Actually Afford: Task Force | publisher=PBS WTTW |last=With |first=L |orig-date=March 17, 2021 |access-date=2021-03-17 }} Many of these recommendations were eventually integrated into the distribution of federal relief funds for housing assistance grants, as well as allocations for low-income tax credits.{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-lightfoot-coronavirus-housing-grants-20200727-hawmqtpgwzakxduikmy52yhsfe-story.html |title=Mayor Lori Lightfoot announces $33 million in housing assistance grants, including mortgage and rent relief, from federal coronavirus relief funds – Chicago Tribune |last=Pratt |first=Gregory |website=Chicago Tribune |date=July 27, 2020 |orig-date=March 17, 2021 |access-date=2021-03-17 }}{{cite web |url=https://chi.streetsblog.org/2021/03/16/housing-department-to-prioritize-racial-equity-in-affordable-housing-resources/ |title=Chicago housing department says it will prioritize racial equity in affordable housing resources – Streetsblog Chicago |last=Cobbs |first=Courtney |date=March 16, 2021 |orig-date=March 17, 2021 |access-date=2021-03-17 }}

On March 6, 2020, Lightfoot named Tracey Scott as CEO of the Chicago Housing Authority.{{cite web |last1=Quig |first1=A.D. |title=Lightfoot names her pick to head Chicago Housing Authority |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/government/lightfoot-names-her-pick-head-chicago-housing-authority |website=Crain's Chicago Business |access-date=16 March 2020 |language=en |date=6 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316104904/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/government/lightfoot-names-her-pick-head-chicago-housing-authority |archive-date=March 16, 2020 |url-status=live }} On March 30, the CHA Board of Commissioners approved Tracey Scott's appointment.{{cite web |title=Board of Commissioners approves Tracey Scott as CEO of Chicago Housing Authority {{!}} The Chicago Housing Authority |url=https://www.thecha.org/news-media/news/board-commissioners-approves-tracey-scott-ceo-chicago-housing-authority |website=www.thecha.org |publisher=The Chicago Housing Authority |access-date=15 June 2020 |date=30 March 2020}}

{{main|Bally's Chicago}}

After legislation expanding gambling in Illinois was passed by the state legislature at the start of June 2019, Lightfoot announced that the city would commence a study of where a Chicago casino would be located.{{cite news |last1=Byrne |first1=John |title=Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Chicago casino: Big win, up next a study to decide where to put it |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-met-mayor-lori-lightfoot-chicago-casino-20190603-story.html |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |access-date=4 June 2019 |date=3 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604025300/https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-met-mayor-lori-lightfoot-chicago-casino-20190603-story.html |archive-date=June 4, 2019 |url-status=live }} Lightfoot's predecessors had long sought to obtain a casino for the city. While the state did not approve a city-owned casino (reportedly preferred by Lightfoot, as it had been by her predecessors); state legislation allowed for a privately owned casino from which the city would receive one-third of tax revenue generated. Lightfoot continued to push, however, for the state to authorize a casino jointly owned by the city and state and with a lesser effective tax rate than the passed legislation specified.{{cite news |last1=Spielman |first1=Fran |title=Lightfoot floats casino, real estate transfer tax plans with Chicago delegation ahead of fall veto session |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2019/10/14/20914075/chicago-casino-real-estate-transfer-tax-veto-session-lightfoot |newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=15 October 2019 |date=14 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015154241/https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2019/10/14/20914075/chicago-casino-real-estate-transfer-tax-veto-session-lightfoot |archive-date=October 15, 2019 |url-status=live }}

On May 5, 2022, Lightfoot announced that she had selected a bid from the Bally's Corporation to construct a casino resort on the west bank of the Chicago River.{{cite web|url=https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-casino-mayor-lori-lightfoot-ballys-press-conference/11819679/|title=Mayor Lori Lightfoot announces Bally's proposal as final pick for Chicago casino|publisher=ABC News|accessdate=May 5, 2022|date=May 5, 2022}}

In July 2020, Lightfoot directed that a statue of Christopher Columbus be removed from Grant Park. After the murder of George Floyd, protesters had attempted to knock over the statue{{Cite web|url=https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/i-have-the-biggest-d-in-chicago-mayor-lightfoot-sued-for-defamation-accused-of-profane-comments/|title='I have the biggest d*** in Chicago': Mayor Lightfoot sued for defamation, accused of profane comments|website=WGNTV.com|date=March 3, 2022}} and had engaged in a violent confrontation with police.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/lightfoot-accused-of-profanity-laced-tirade-against-park-district-lawyers-over-christopher-columbus-statue-deal/|title=Lightfoot accused of profanity-laced tirade against Park District lawyers over Christopher Columbus statue deal|date=March 3, 2022|website=www.cbsnews.com}}

In March 2022, attorney George Smyrniotis sued Lightfoot for defamation.{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/596770-chicago-mayor-accused-of-making-obscene-remarks-berating-lawyers-lawsuit/|title=Chicago mayor accused of making obscene remarks, berating lawyers: lawsuit|first=Monique|last=Beals|website=The Hill|date=March 3, 2022}} The lawsuit claimed that Italian-Americans were unhappy with the removal of the Columbus statue, and that a tentative deal had been struck to assuage their concerns by allowing the statue to be displayed in an annual Columbus Day parade. According to Smyrniotis, Lightfoot—angry over the proposal regarding the display of the statue—suggested during a Zoom call that she would revoke the parade permit if the statue were to be displayed. Smyrniotis added that Lightfoot had questioned his competence, berated him and others with obscenities, and asserted that she had "'the biggest d*** in Chicago'".{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/lawsuit-claims-lightfoot-defamed-attorney-using-obscenities-over-columbus-statue-removal/2774619/|title=Lawsuit Claims Lightfoot Defamed Attorney Using Obscenities Over Columbus Statue Removal|website=NBC Chicago|first=Mary Ann|last=Ahern|date=March 4, 2022}} For her part, Lightfoot contended that the lawsuit's "'deeply offensive and ridiculous claims'" were "'wholly lacking in merit'".{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/lacking-merit-lightfoot-responds-to-defamation-lawsuit-from-attorney/2775133/|title='Lacking Merit': Lightfoot Responds to Defamation Lawsuit From Attorney|website=NBC Chicago|first=Mary Ann|last=Ahern |date=March 4, 2022}}

File:Jill Biden arrives in Chicago FBh71Y5WQAAftoT (cropped).jpg Jill Biden in 2022]]

Lightfoot's first executive order as mayor limited "aldermanic prerogative", a practice under which Chicago aldermen were granted an effective veto over matters in their wards.{{cite web |title=Lightfoot limits aldermanic prerogative in 1st executive order as mayor |url=https://wgntv.com/2019/05/20/lightfoot-signs-first-executive-order-aiming-to-end-aldermanic-prerogative/ |publisher=WGN-TV |access-date=May 20, 2019 |date=May 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520200357/https://wgntv.com/2019/05/20/lightfoot-signs-first-executive-order-aiming-to-end-aldermanic-prerogative/ |archive-date=May 20, 2019 |url-status=live }}

On May 28, 2019, Lightfoot unveiled proposals to revise the Chicago City Council operating rules. 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.{{cite news |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2019/5/28/18642665/mayor-lightfoot-city-council-proposed-new-rules |title=Lightfoot proposes new operating rules for City Council |last=Speilman |first=Fran |date=28 May 2019 |newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=28 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528210352/https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2019/5/28/18642665/mayor-lightfoot-city-council-proposed-new-rules |archive-date=May 28, 2019 |url-status=live }}

On May 31, 2019, after indictments were brought against Alderman Edward M. Burke, Lightfoot called for his resignation.{{cite web |last1=Hall |first1=Gaynor |last2=Wang |first2=Judy |title='Absolutely repugnant': Lightfoot pushes for Burke's resignation amid new charges |url=https://wgntv.com/2019/05/31/mayor-lightfoot-to-hold-news-conference-about-new-charges-against-ald-burke/ |publisher=WGN-TV |access-date=1 June 2019 |date=31 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601032507/https://wgntv.com/2019/05/31/mayor-lightfoot-to-hold-news-conference-about-new-charges-against-ald-burke/ |archive-date=June 1, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-met-lori-lightfoot-calls-for-ed-burke-to-resign-20190531-story.html |title=Mayor Lori Lightfoot calls on Ald. Edward Burke to resign |first=John |last=Byrne |website=Chicago Tribune |date=May 31, 2019 |access-date=May 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531170309/https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-met-lori-lightfoot-calls-for-ed-burke-to-resign-20190531-story.html |archive-date=May 31, 2019 |url-status=live }}

On June 5, 2019, Lightfoot outlined further ethics reform proposals{{Vague|date=January 2021}} for the city council.{{cite web |last1=Freund |first1=Sara |title=Lightfoot pushes new oversight on aldermen, and will tackle zoning reform next |url=https://chicago.curbed.com/2019/6/5/18654326/chicago-zoning-lori-lightfoot-alderman-reform |publisher=Curbed Chicago |access-date=6 June 2019 |date=5 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607003137/https://chicago.curbed.com/2019/6/5/18654326/chicago-zoning-lori-lightfoot-alderman-reform |archive-date=June 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Spielman |first1=Fran |title=Lightfoot follows Burke indictment with another round of ethics reforms |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/6/5/18654024/lightfoot-burke-indictment-reforms-ethics-board-city-council |newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=6 June 2019 |date=5 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607003159/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/6/5/18654024/lightfoot-burke-indictment-reforms-ethics-board-city-council |archive-date=June 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last1=Hinz |first1=Greg |title=Lightfoot's new moves to rein in aldermen |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/lightfoots-new-moves-rein-aldermen |magazine=Crain's Chicago Business |access-date=6 June 2019 |date=5 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607003150/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/lightfoots-new-moves-rein-aldermen |archive-date=June 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}

File:Chicago River dyed green for St. Patrick's Day 2.jpg

During the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Lightfoot took a number of actions aimed at quelling the severity of the outbreak in Chicago. On March 11, 2020, Lightfoot joined Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker to postpone the city's formal Saint Patrick's Day festivities (including parades and the dyeing of the Chicago River).{{cite web |title=City of Chicago postpones St. Patrick's Day Weekend Parades as Part of Precautionary Measures Taken to Protect Health and Safety amid Coronavirus Concerns |url=https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdph/provdrs/health_protection_and_response/news/2020/march/city-of-chicago-postpones-st--patrick-s-day-weekend-parades-as-p.html |website=www.chicago.gov |publisher=City of Chicago |access-date=14 March 2020 |language=en |date=11 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406060650/https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdph/provdrs/health_protection_and_response/news/2020/march/city-of-chicago-postpones-st--patrick-s-day-weekend-parades-as-p.html |archive-date=April 6, 2020 |url-status=live }} On March 15, Lightfoot decided that, due to concerns surrounding Saint Patrick's Day festivities, all businesses selling liquor must have less than half of their regular maximum capacity, and must additionally not exceed a capacity of 100 people.{{cite tweet |user=chicagosmayor |number=1239224747931688960 |date=15 March 2020 |title=EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: Due to concerns around St. Patrick's Day festivities, the City is enforcing all businesses that sell liquor to have less than half of their regular max capacity. Additionally, any establishments that sell liquor will have a max capacity of 100 people.}}

On March 12, 2020, Lightfoot again joined Pritzker to issue, among other things, a ban on events attended by more than 1,000 people from being held over the next 30 days.{{cite web |last1=Vinicky |first1=Amanda |title=Officials Announce New Measures to Limit Coronavirus Spread as Illinois Cases Rise to 32 |url=https://news.wttw.com/2020/03/12/officials-announce-new-measures-limit-coronavirus-spread-illinois-cases-rise-32 |website=WTTW News |access-date=14 March 2020 |language=en |date=12 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318232647/https://news.wttw.com/2020/03/12/officials-announce-new-measures-limit-coronavirus-spread-illinois-cases-rise-32 |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=State of Illinois and City of Chicago Issue New Guidance to Minimize COVID-19 Spread |url=https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdph/provdrs/health_protection_and_response/news/2020/march/state-of-illinois-and-city-of-chicago-issue-new-guidance-to-mini.html |website=www.chicago.gov |publisher=City of Chicago |access-date=14 March 2020 |language=en |date=12 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315195317/https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdph/provdrs/health_protection_and_response/news/2020/march/state-of-illinois-and-city-of-chicago-issue-new-guidance-to-mini.html |archive-date=March 15, 2020 |url-status=live }}

On March 15, Lightfoot criticized the long lines at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport as a result of federal government travel restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic as "utterly unacceptable".{{cite web |title='Utterly Unacceptable': Lightfoot Reacts to Long Lines at O'Hare Due to Coronavirus Screenings |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/utterly-unacceptable-lightfoot-reacts-to-exceedingly-long-lines-at-ohare-airport-due-to-coronavirus-screenings/2237574/ |website=NBC Chicago |access-date=15 March 2020 |date=15 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315202004/https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/utterly-unacceptable-lightfoot-reacts-to-exceedingly-long-lines-at-ohare-airport-due-to-coronavirus-screenings/2237574/ |archive-date=March 15, 2020 |url-status=live }} Under the federal government's travel restrictions, authorized passengers could only take flights from 26 permitted European nations to a total of thirteen permitted United States airports, of which O'Hare was one.{{cite news |last1=Aratani |first1=Lori |last2=Miroff |first2=Nick |title=Passengers flying to the U.S. from 26 countries in Europe will face enhanced screening |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2020/03/13/travelers-europe-will-face-additional-scrutiny/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=15 March 2020 |language=en |date=13 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316013734/https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2020/03/13/travelers-europe-will-face-additional-scrutiny/ |archive-date=March 16, 2020 |url-status=live }}

File:Stay Home Save Lives Chicago EUD8rVvUwAABsOu.png.]]

Lightfoot's administration supplemented the state response with municipal public health measures, and the mayor leveraged the visibility of her office to promote adherence. On March 20, 2020, Lightfoot extended Chicago Public School closures beyond the Illinois state mandate.{{cite web |last1=D'Onofrio |first1=Jessica |title=Coronavirus Chicago: Mayor Lori Lightfoot outlines steps to combat COVID-19, help small businesses |url=https://abc7chicago.com/health/if-you-violate-this-order-there-will-be-consequences-lightfoot-orders-sick-to-stay-home/6030935/ |website=ABC7 Chicago |publisher=WLS-TV |access-date=20 March 2020 |language=en |date=20 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320192333/https://abc7chicago.com/health/if-you-violate-this-order-there-will-be-consequences-lightfoot-orders-sick-to-stay-home/6030935/ |archive-date=March 20, 2020 |url-status=live }} Chicago's Department of Health Commissioner, Dr. Allison Arwady, signed a public health order prohibiting residents diagnosed with or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 from leaving their place of residence for work or other public gatherings. The order made exceptions for sick residents seeking essential services, such as clinical care, medicine, and food. Lightfoot declared that those found to be in violation of this order could be issued a citation. On March 27, Lightfoot also placed a ban on contact sports and closed the city's parks, beaches, and trails due to recent instances of residents gathering in public places in breach of the state's stay-at-home order.{{cite web |last1=Pratt |first1=Gregory |last2=Byrne |first2=John |last3=Munks |first3=Jamie |last4=Pearson |first4=Rick |last5=Buckley |first5=Madeline |title=As Illinois sees largest daily increase in coronavirus cases, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot bans contact sports; closes popular city parks, beaches and trails |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-lakefront-parks-closed-20200326-zdqpr2p3vfhqdoucu4hqcrtepa-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |publisher=Chicago Tribune |access-date=31 March 2020 |date=27 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401233036/https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-lakefront-parks-closed-20200326-zdqpr2p3vfhqdoucu4hqcrtepa-story.html |archive-date=April 1, 2020 |url-status=live }} On April 8, Lightfoot introduced a curfew on liquor sales in an attempt to curb crowds congregating outside liquor stores.{{cite web |date=8 April 2020 |title=Chicago Mayor Lightfoot: Curfew On Liquor Sales Starts Thursday |url=https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/04/08/chicago-mayor-lightfoot-curfew-on-liquor-sales-starts-thursday/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412101827/https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/04/08/chicago-mayor-lightfoot-curfew-on-liquor-sales-starts-thursday/ |archive-date=April 12, 2020 |access-date=12 April 2020 |publisher=CBS Chicago}}{{cite web |last1=Byrne |first1=John |last2=Sherry |first2=Sophie |date=6 April 2020 |title=Mayor Lori Lightfoot floats move to crack down on congregating outside Chicago liquor stores |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-liquor-stores-curfew-20200406-enzwz3rvbfeb5cpz4g6yhcz6cm-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412013627/https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-liquor-stores-curfew-20200406-enzwz3rvbfeb5cpz4g6yhcz6cm-story.html |archive-date=April 12, 2020 |access-date=12 April 2020 |website=chicagotribune.com |publisher=Chicago Tribune}} Lightfoot even directly participated in the enforcement of the state's stay-at-home order, personally patrolling the city and confronting violators.{{cite web |last1=Pratt |first1=Gregory |date=9 April 2020 |title=Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she broke up an apparent underage drinking party while enforcing coronavirus social distancing rules |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-lightfoot-drinking-party-20200409-aov7as23svcuxf6yqvy2jdzj3q-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412031736/https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-lightfoot-drinking-party-20200409-aov7as23svcuxf6yqvy2jdzj3q-story.html |archive-date=April 12, 2020 |access-date=12 April 2020 |website=chicagotribune.com |publisher=Chicago Tribune}}{{cite web |last1=Bauer |first1=Kelly |date=9 April 2020 |title=Mayor Lori Lightfoot Drove Around Chicago, Telling People To Go Home |url=https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/04/09/mayor-lori-lightfoot-drove-around-chicago-telling-people-to-go-home/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412031739/https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/04/09/mayor-lori-lightfoot-drove-around-chicago-telling-people-to-go-home/ |archive-date=April 12, 2020 |access-date=12 April 2020 |website=Block Club Chicago}} This no-nonsense approach to enforcing COVID-19 restrictions inspired a series of Lightfoot-centric internet memes that first gained popularity in late March.{{cite web |last1=Moskop |first1=Susan |date=30 March 2020 |title=Lori Lightfoot memes are giving Chicago a laugh during coronavirus |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-life-soc-lori-lightfoot-memes-chicago-coronavirus-20200330-so4gu6nupff4vmewpqkxo67fh4-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331170322/https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-life-soc-lori-lightfoot-memes-chicago-coronavirus-20200330-so4gu6nupff4vmewpqkxo67fh4-story.html |archive-date=March 31, 2020 |access-date=31 March 2020 |website=chicagotribune.com |publisher=Chicago Tribune}}{{cite web |date=30 March 2020 |title=Memes of Mayor Lightfoot enforcing stay-at-home order bring light to dark times |url=https://wgntv.com/news/memes-of-mayor-lightfoot-enforcing-stay-at-home-order-bring-light-to-dark-times/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331152453/https://wgntv.com/news/memes-of-mayor-lightfoot-enforcing-stay-at-home-order-bring-light-to-dark-times/ |archive-date=March 31, 2020 |access-date=31 March 2020 |website=WGN-TV}}{{cite web |date=March 30, 2020 |title=Even Mayor Lori Lightfoot Can't Get Enough of These 'Where's Lightfoot' Memes |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/even-mayor-lori-lightfoot-cant-get-enough-of-these-wheres-lightfoot-memes/2247375/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401113022/https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/even-mayor-lori-lightfoot-cant-get-enough-of-these-wheres-lightfoot-memes/2247375/ |archive-date=April 1, 2020 |access-date=31 March 2020 |website=NBC Chicago |publisher=WMAQ-TV}}

Lightfoot also endorsed proactive public health measures. 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,{{cite web |title=Coronavirus Chicago: Downtown hotel rooms set aside for first responders, Mayor Lori Lightfoot says |url=https://abc7chicago.com/coronavirus-chicago-cases-update-map/6065678/ |website=ABC7 Chicago |publisher=WLS-TV |access-date=31 March 2020 |language=en |date=31 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403025142/https://abc7chicago.com/coronavirus-chicago-cases-update-map/6065678/ |archive-date=April 3, 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Chicago reserves nearly 300 downtown hotel rooms for first responders |url=https://wgntv.com/news/coronavirus/chicago-reserves-nearly-300-downtown-hotel-rooms-for-first-responders/ |website=WGN-TV |access-date=31 March 2020 |date=31 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403202608/https://wgntv.com/news/coronavirus/chicago-reserves-nearly-300-downtown-hotel-rooms-for-first-responders/ |archive-date=April 3, 2020 |url-status=live }} and her administration worked with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to establish a makeshift hospital at McCormick Place.{{cite web |date=10 April 2020 |title=Coronavirus Chicago: Mayor Lori Lightfoot to tour McCormick Place alternate care facility |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/coronavirus-chicago-mayor-lori-lightfoot-141401904.html |access-date=12 April 2020 |website=news.yahoo.com |publisher=Yahoo News |agency=WLS-TV}} On April 7, Lightfoot signed an executive order affirming the eligibility of undocumented immigrants for city benefits and services, including COVID-19 relief, although such protections were already guaranteed under the Welcoming City Ordinance passed under the previous administration.{{cite web |last1=Pratt |first1=Gregory |date=7 April 2020 |title=Amid coronavirus crisis, Mayor Lori Lightfoot signs order ensuring city benefits for immigrants living in US without legal permission |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-lightfoot-undocumented-20200407-f67d7wszvfdzfgy2wnvnebiury-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412201153/https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-lightfoot-undocumented-20200407-f67d7wszvfdzfgy2wnvnebiury-story.html |archive-date=April 12, 2020 |access-date=12 April 2020 |website=chicagotribune.com |publisher=Chicago Tribune}} Lightfoot also partnered with Chicago's professional sports teams to launch the "We Are Not Playing" advertisement campaign.{{cite web |last1=Kane |first1=Colleen |date=6 April 2020 |title=Mayor Lori Lightfoot joins 8 Chicago sports teams in a new 'We Are Not Playing' ad campaign to help stop the coronavirus spread |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-chicago-coronavirus-lori-lightfoot-sports-ad-campaign-20200406-3jpo7kqxn5c7vlmgvrys4kks4a-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411183621/https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-chicago-coronavirus-lori-lightfoot-sports-ad-campaign-20200406-3jpo7kqxn5c7vlmgvrys4kks4a-story.html |archive-date=April 11, 2020 |access-date=12 April 2020 |website=chicagotribune.com |publisher=Chicago Tribune}}{{cite web |last1=Pope |first1=Ben |date=6 April 2020 |title=Chicago's official new sports motto: "We Are Not Playing" |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/2020/4/6/21209322/chicago-cubs-white-sox-blackhawks-bulls-bears-we-are-not-playing-coronavirus-lori-lightfoot |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412032205/https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/2020/4/6/21209322/chicago-cubs-white-sox-blackhawks-bulls-bears-we-are-not-playing-coronavirus-lori-lightfoot |archive-date=April 12, 2020 |access-date=12 April 2020 |website=Chicago Sun-Times |language=en}}

File:Members of the Illinois Air National Guard assemble medical equipment at the McCormick Place Convention Center in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Chicago, Ill. April 8 2020.jpg work to convert McCormick Place into a makeshift hospital]]

File:Lori Lightfoot (50196340907) (1).jpg

In early April, Lightfoot began to draw criticism for perceived hypocrisy and opacity in relation to the city's pandemic response. When Lightfoot was found to have gotten her hair cut in violation of the state's stay-at-home order, she argued that she was justified in doing so, saying, "I'm the public face of this city. I'm on national media and I'm out in the public eye."{{cite web|last1=Wong|first1=Wilson|date=11 April 2020|title=Chicago mayor defends hairstylist visit amid coronavirus outbreak|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/chicago-mayor-defends-hairstylist-visit-amid-coronavirus-outbreak-n1181546|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411180641/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/chicago-mayor-defends-hairstylist-visit-amid-coronavirus-outbreak-n1181546|archive-date=April 11, 2020|access-date=12 April 2020|website=NBC News|language=en}} Lightfoot also courted controversy in defending her support for the suspension of Freedom of Information Act response deadlines. The mayor invoked the Old Testament to contend that FOIA requests diverted municipal employees from lifesaving duties: "I'm mindful of the fact that we're in the Pesach season, the angel of death that we all talk about is the Passover story, that angel of death is right here in our midst every single day."{{Cite web|last=Byrne|first=John|title=Chicago Mayor Lightfoot supports suspending FOIA deadlines during coronavirus shutdown, says saving lives more important|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-lori-lightfoot-foia-requests-20200408-wnwzxwyqkbalberk3lk6yeol3y-story.html|access-date=2021-03-16|website=chicagotribune.com|date=April 8, 2020 }} In response, the digital-rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation awarded Lightfoot the tongue-in-cheek "Pharaoh Prize for Deadline Extensions."{{Cite web|last=Crites|first=Dave Maass, Aaron Mackey, Naomi Gilens, and Caitlyn|date=2021-03-14|title=The Foilies 2021|url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/03/foilies-2021|access-date=2021-03-16|website=Electronic Frontier Foundation|language=en}} Lightfoot was further scrutinized for her decision to issue new restrictions, including a stay-at-home advisory, on November 12, as she had been seen days earlier at a large gathering celebrating Joe Biden's election victory.{{cite web |last1=Flood |first1=Brian |last2=Wulfsohn |first2=Joseph |title=Chicago mayor defends appearing at large Biden celebration days before issuing Thanksgiving lockdown |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/lori-lightfoot-chicago-thanksgiving-lockdown-biden-celebration-covid|website=FOX News |access-date=14 November 2020 |language=en |date=13 November 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Pathieu |first1=Diane |last2=Baca |first2=Stacey |last3=Horng |first3=Eric |date=12 November 2020 |title=Chicago COVID-19: Stay-at-Home Advisory issued by Mayor Lori Lightfoot with new restrictions on gatherings, meetings |url=https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-covid-coronavirus-mayor-lori-lightfoot-testing/7889268/ |access-date=13 November 2020 |website=ABC7 Chicago |language=en}}

As mayor-elect, Lightfoot opposed state legislation that would create a 21-member school board, calling it "unwieldy".{{cite web |last1=Wall |first1=Craig |title=Mayor-Elect Lori Lightfoot vows to make changes at City Hall, pushes back on elected school board bill |url=https://abc7chicago.com/politics/lightfoot-to-shake-things-up-at-city-hall/5235548/ |website=ABC7 Chicago |publisher=WLS-TV |access-date=6 April 2019 |date=5 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406014218/https://abc7chicago.com/politics/lightfoot-to-shake-things-up-at-city-hall/5235548/ |archive-date=April 6, 2019 |url-status=live }} (Lightfoot had previously advocated for an elected Chicago school board.) Nevertheless, in July 2021, governor J. B. Pritzker signed such legislation over Lightfoot's objections.{{cite web |last1=Hinton |first1=Rachel |title=Chicago gets elected school board — Pritzker signs bill opposed by Lightfoot, looks 'forward to ongoing conversations' with her |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/education/2021/7/29/22600829/pritzker-signs-elected-school-board-bill-lightfoot-chicago |website=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=9 September 2021 |language=en |date=29 July 2021}}

On November 23, 2019, a plan by Lightfoot to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2021 was approved by the Chicago City Council. This increase did not include restaurant servers and tipped workers.{{Cite web |title=Chicago City Council raises minimum wage to $15 by 2021, but restaurant servers still will get lower tipped wage |last=Elejalde-Ruiz |first=Alexia |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-chicago-minimum-wage-approved-20191126-esp6g6do6nhzjfl7i7yphbfmrm-story.html |website=Chicago Tribune |date=November 26, 2019 |access-date=May 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127023209/https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-chicago-minimum-wage-approved-20191126-esp6g6do6nhzjfl7i7yphbfmrm-story.html |archive-date=November 27, 2019}}

In the fall of 2019, Lightfoot proposed a graduated transfer tax for commercial real estate sales. Under this proposal, the city would capture more money from large real estate transfers while also providing a tax break for most transfers valued under $500,000.{{Update inline|reason=did this happen?|date=January 2021}}

On November 26, 2019, the Chicago City Council approved Lightfoot's budget for the 2020 fiscal year.{{cite web |last1=Spielman |first1=Fran |title=City Council approves Lightfoot's $11.6 billion budget — with 11 'no' votes |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2019/11/26/20983774/chicago-city-council-lightfoot-budget-vote |publisher=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=26 November 2019 |language=en |date=26 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127224620/https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2019/11/26/20983774/chicago-city-council-lightfoot-budget-vote |archive-date=November 27, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Feurer |first1=Todd |title=Despite Criticism Her Spending Plan Is 'Smoke And Mirrors,' Mayor Lori Lightfoot's 2020 Budget Sails Through City Council |url=https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/11/26/mayor-lori-lightfoot-2020-budget-approved-city-council/ |publisher=CBS Chicago |access-date=26 November 2019 |date=26 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128003643/https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/11/26/mayor-lori-lightfoot-2020-budget-approved-city-council/ |archive-date=November 28, 2019 |url-status=live }}

{{See also|Crime in Chicago}}

Shortly after taking office, Lightfoot faced what was regarded as her first test at preserving public safety. In prior years, violence had often increased over Memorial Day weekend in Chicago.{{cite web |url=https://wgntv.com/2019/05/24/chicago-agencies-roll-out-memorial-day-weekend-safety-plans/ |title=Chicago agencies roll out Memorial Day weekend safety plans Nancy Loo, Tahman Bradley and Dana Rebik |last1=Loo |first1=Nancy |last2=Tahman |first2=Bradley |last3=Rebik |first3=Dana |date=24 May 2019 |publisher=WGN-TV |access-date=26 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526224120/https://wgntv.com/2019/05/24/chicago-agencies-roll-out-memorial-day-weekend-safety-plans/ |archive-date=May 26, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://abc7chicago.com/mayor-lori-lightfoot-outlines-our-city-our-safety-plan/5314060/ |title=MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT OUTLINES 'OUR CITY, OUR SAFETY' PLAN |last1=Wall |first1=Craig |last2=McAdams |first2=Alexis |date=23 May 2019 |publisher=WLS-TV |access-date=26 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523194336/https://abc7chicago.com/mayor-lori-lightfoot-outlines-our-city-our-safety-plan/5314060/ |archive-date=May 23, 2019 |url-status=live }} In an attempt to eschew this pattern, Lightfoot initiated Our City. Our Safety, under which extra police patrols were stationed in busy locations and troubled spots, and free youth programs were organized by the Chicago Park District at about a hundred locations. A notable extent of the violence was still witnessed over the weekend, to which Lightfoot responded, "We can't claim victory and we certainly can't celebrate. We have much more work to do."{{cite web |last1=Pratt |first1=Gregory |last2=Donovan |first2=Lisa |title=Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot lays out 100-day ethics agenda: 'Change is necessary' |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-met-chicago-mayor-lori-lightfoot-100-days-20190528-story.html |publisher=Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot lays out 100-day ethics agenda: ‘Change is necessary’ |access-date=2 June 2019 |date=28 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601212004/https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-met-chicago-mayor-lori-lightfoot-100-days-20190528-story.html |archive-date=June 1, 2019 |url-status=live }}

On May 28, 2019, Lightfoot outlined a plan to focus on reducing the city's gun violence. On May 28, 2019, Lightfoot urged the city council to pass an ordinance within her first hundred days that would establish a level of civilian oversight on the Chicago Police Department.

Lightfoot launched a community policing initiative in June 2019.{{cite web |url=https://abc7chicago.com/amp/lightfoot-launches-new-community-policing-initiative/5340090/ |title=LIGHTFOOT LAUNCHES NEW COMMUNITY POLICING INITIATIVE AFTER VIOLENT WEEKEND |last1=Pathieu |first1=Diane |last2=Wall |first2=Craig |date=10 June 2019 |website=ABC7 Chicago |publisher=WLS-TV |access-date=12 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611150522/https://abc7chicago.com/amp/lightfoot-launches-new-community-policing-initiative/5340090/ |archive-date=June 11, 2019 |url-status=live }} Later that month she announced that the city's police department would not assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, denying ICE access to the city's police database in an effort to prevent the city's illegal immigrant population from facing deportation.{{cite web |last1=Koziarz |first1=Jay |title=Chicago Police Department will not assist in ICE raids, says Lightfoot |url=https://chicago.curbed.com/2019/6/21/18701620/ice-raids-chicago-mayor-lightfoot-protect-immigrants-deportation |publisher=Curbed Chicago |access-date=22 June 2019 |date=21 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622020043/https://chicago.curbed.com/2019/6/21/18701620/ice-raids-chicago-mayor-lightfoot-protect-immigrants-deportation |archive-date=June 22, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=After Reports of ICE Raids, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Says City Won't Cooperate With Federal Agents |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/chicago-mayor-lori-lightfoot-says-city-wont-cooperate-with-reported-ice-raids-511649612.html |website=NBC Chicago |publisher=WMAQ-TV |access-date=22 June 2019 |date=22 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622020043/https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/chicago-mayor-lori-lightfoot-says-city-wont-cooperate-with-reported-ice-raids-511649612.html |archive-date=June 22, 2019 |url-status=live }}

File:David Brown and Lori Lightfoot220528-Z-OR724-1032 (1).jpg in 2022]]

On November 8, 2019, after Eddie T. Johnson announced that he would resign from his position as superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, Lightfoot named Charlie Beck to serve as interim superintendent of the Chicago Police Department.{{cite web |title=Charlie Beck Named Interim Chicago Police Superintendent, As Eddie Johnson Retires |url=https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/11/08/charlie-beck-lori-lightfoot-chicago-police/ |publisher=CBS News Chicago |access-date=9 November 2019 |date=8 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109180814/https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/11/08/charlie-beck-lori-lightfoot-chicago-police/ |archive-date=November 9, 2019 |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web |author=Eliott C. McLaughlin |title=Chicago mayor fires city's top cop for 'intolerable' actions and misleading the public |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/02/us/chicago-police-superintendent-fired/index.html |publisher=CNN |access-date=3 December 2019 |date=2 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203172515/https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/02/us/chicago-police-superintendent-fired/index.html |archive-date=December 3, 2019 |url-status=live }} Lightfoot nominated David Brown to be superintendent of police on April 2, 2020.{{cite news|title=Former Dallas police chief is Lightfoot pick for Chicago top cop|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/4/2/21206059/chicago-police-department-superintendent-dallas-police-chief-david-brown-lightfoot|publisher=Chicago Sun Times|date=April 2, 2020|author=Fran Spielman|access-date=April 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405152758/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/4/2/21206059/chicago-police-department-superintendent-dallas-police-chief-david-brown-lightfoot|archive-date=April 5, 2020|url-status=live}} After Beck stepped down on April 15, Brown became acting superintendent, while pending confirmation to serve on a permanent basis.{{cite web |last1=Masterson |first1=Matt |title=Charlie Beck Steps Down as David Brown Becomes Chicago's New Top Cop |url=https://news.wttw.com/2020/04/15/charlie-beck-steps-down-david-brown-becomes-chicagos-new-top-cop |website=WTTW News |access-date=21 April 2020 |language=en |date=15 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419212844/https://news.wttw.com/2020/04/15/charlie-beck-steps-down-david-brown-becomes-chicagos-new-top-cop |archive-date=April 19, 2020 |url-status=live }}

On November 13, 2019, Lightfoot proposed an ordinance that would create a new Office of Public Safety Administration, which would combine administrative functions of Chicago Police Department, the Chicago Fire Department and the Office of Public Safety Administration.{{cite web |last1=Spielman |first1=Fran |title=Lightfoot wants to expand Chicago Police Board powers |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2019/11/14/20965512/lori-lightfoot-expand-chicago-police-board-powers |publisher=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=16 November 2019 |date=14 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116052849/https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2019/11/14/20965512/lori-lightfoot-expand-chicago-police-board-powers |archive-date=November 16, 2019 |url-status=live }}

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.{{cite web |last1=Byrne |first1=John |last2=Pratt |first2=Gregory |title=Chicago cops-out-of-schools plan potentially blocked by Mayor Lori Lightfoot ally |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-chicago-police-out-of-schools-ordinance-20200617-s3h2pad32bhdhggzsxzc3e4f6y-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |publisher=Chicago Tribune |access-date=17 June 2020 |date=17 June 2020}}

In May 2021, Lightfoot nominated Annette Nance-Holt to be the city fire commissioner. She was confirmed to the position by the Chicago City Council on June 23.{{cite web |title=Annette Nance-Holt Becomes First Black Woman to Lead Chicago Fire Department |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/annette-nance-holt-becomes-first-black-woman-to-lead-chicago-fire-department/2539038/ |website=NBC Chicago |access-date=25 June 2021 |date=23 June 2021}} Nance-Holt is the first woman to serve in a permanent capacity as the commissioner of the Chicago Fire Department.{{cite web |title=First Black female fire commissioner nominee awaits City Council approval {{!}} The Crusader Newspaper Group |url=https://chicagocrusader.com/first-black-female-fire-commissioner-nominee-awaits-city-council-approval/ |publisher=Chicago Crusader |access-date=14 June 2021 |date=21 May 2021 |archive-date=June 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614225213/https://chicagocrusader.com/first-black-female-fire-commissioner-nominee-awaits-city-council-approval/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=Annette Nance-Holt becomes Chicago Fire Department Commissioner. |url=https://chicagodefender.com/annette-nance-holt-becomes-chicago-fire-department-commissioner/ |website=Chicago Defender |access-date=14 June 2021 |date=2021-05-15}}

On June 17, 2021, WBEN reported that Chicago led the nation in mass shootings, averaging approximately one per week. In response to the city's third mass shooting in four days, Lightfoot said: "We are part of a club of cities to which no one wants to belong: cities with mass shootings."{{cite web |last1=Yousef |first1=Odette |title=Chicago Leads The Nation In Mass Shootings, Averaging About One Per Week |date=June 17, 2021 |url=https://www.wbez.org/stories/chicago-leads-the-nation-in-mass-shootings-averaging-about-one-per-week/4bbb8057-71d3-4551-99d2-efc9fd65a17d |publisher=WBEZ}}

During the 2020 Black Lives Matter (BLM) anti-police violence protests sparked by the murder of George Floyd, Lightfoot, who campaigned as a police reformer, stated that police unions have continued to be one of the main obstacles to reform of the department:

{{blockquote|"Unfortunately, in history in our city, and I think the history of other cities, unions are extraordinarily reluctant to embrace reform and that's a current state of affairs here... We have had to take them to arbitration to win very modest reforms, and that's a shame of the history of collective bargaining where there hasn't been an emphasis on reform and accountability... These contracts... are a significant problem and challenge in getting the reforms necessary."}}

Lightfoot further stated that police violence and brutality "demean the badge" and asked the public to report police misconduct.{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/06/06/871489221/chicago-mayor-says-police-union-is-extraordinarily-reluctant-to-embrace-reform |title=Chicago Mayor Says Police Union Is 'Extraordinarily Reluctant To Embrace Reform' |first=Christianna |last=Silva |website=National Public Radio |date=June 6, 2020 |access-date=May 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607024056/https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/06/06/871489221/chicago-mayor-says-police-union-is-extraordinarily-reluctant-to-embrace-reform |archive-date=June 7, 2020}}

On May 31, during a conference call with all 50 Chicago aldermen, Lightfoot got into a heated argument with fellow Democrat Raymond Lopez of the 15th Ward. The two swore at one another after Lopez criticized the mayor's response to looting and rioting during the George Floyd protests.{{Cite web|date=2020-06-08|title=Mayor Lori Lightfoot And Ald. Raymond Lopez Have Foul-Mouthed Argument Over Looting; 'You're 100% Full Of S***' Mayor Says|url=https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/06/08/mayor-lori-lightfoot-and-ald-raymond-lopez-have-foul-mouthed-argument-over-looting-youre-100-full-of-s-mayor-says/|access-date=2020-06-11|language=en-US}}

In August 2020, she came under criticism for not allowing protests on the block where she lives. Lightfoot said this was justified because she had received threats.{{Cite web |url=https://news.wttw.com/2020/08/20/lightfoot-defends-police-ban-protests-outside-her-logan-square-home-citing-threats |title=Lightfoot Defends Police Ban on Protests Outside Her Logan Square Home, Citing 'Threats' |last=Cherone |first=Heather |date=August 20, 2020 |website=WTTW News |access-date=May 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823232342/https://news.wttw.com/2020/08/20/lightfoot-defends-police-ban-protests-outside-her-logan-square-home-citing-threats |archive-date=August 23, 2020}}{{Cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/chicago-mayor-defends-beefed-police-presence-home-72506782 |title=Chicago mayor defends beefed-up police presence near home |date=August 20, 2020 |website=ABC News |access-date=May 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821075220/https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/chicago-mayor-defends-beefed-police-presence-home-72506782 |archive-date=August 21, 2020}}

On May 19, 2021, Lightfoot stated she would only choose reporters of color for interviews on the occasion of her second anniversary in office. This sparked considerable backlash, with many calling for her resignation, including Tulsi Gabbard.{{cite news |last1=Yin |first1=Alice |title=Mayor Lori Lightfoot chooses only reporters of color for interviews ahead of 2-year-anniversary, sparking debate over media diversity and access |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-lori-lightfoot-interviews-journalists-of-color-20210519-o6g2ksmaxjditmdainrfvrviia-story.html |access-date=20 May 2021 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=May 19, 2021}}{{Cite web|last=Frias|first=Lauren|title=Tulsi Gabbard accused Lori Lightfoot of 'anti-white racism' after Lightfoot said she will only interview with journalists of color|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/chicago-mayor-lori-lightfoot-backlash-only-interview-journalists-of-color-2021-5|access-date=2021-05-23|website=Business Insider|language=en-US}} Judicial Watch sued Lightfoot on behalf of The Daily Caller, alleging that Lightfoot violated journalist Thomas Catenacci's First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.{{Cite web|last=Rutz|first=David|title=Chicago Mayor Lightfoot sued by Daily Caller after not granting interview to White reporter|url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/chicago-mayor-lightfoot-sued-daily-caller-white-reporter|access-date=2021-05-28|website=Fox News|date=May 27, 2021|language=en-US}}

File:Lori Lightfoot Universal Basic Income 41514519.jpg

In February 2022, it was announced by Lightfoot that Chicago residents would be able to apply to participate in the city's $500-per-month basic income pilot program in April of that year.{{cite news |last= Pratt |first= Gregory |date= February 24, 2022 |title= Chicago's new basic income program will open to residents seeking cash assistance in April |url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-chicago-basic-income-cash-assistance-20220224-tiz2hjapxjgcbgnuyka7cljtpq-story.html |work= Chicago Tribune |access-date= April 5, 2023}} The pilot program was offered to Chicago residents who suffered economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, giving them the chance to enter into a lottery to get $500 monthly payments for the course of one year.{{cite news |date= April 14, 2022 |title= Applications for city's first guaranteed income program to open April 15 |url= https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/mayor-lori-lightfoot-guaranteed-basic-income-program-applications/ |work= CBS Chicago |access-date= April 5, 2023}} The pilot program was for 5,000 participants and had the requirements of: the applicant must live in Chicago, be at least 18 years old, have experienced economic hardship related to COVID-19, and have a household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level.{{cite news |last= Spielman |first= Fran |date= April 13, 2022 |title= City unveils details of lottery that will decide who gets $500 monthly checks in universal basic income program |url= https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2022/4/13/23024239/chicago-universal-basic-income-program-application-lottery-payments |work= Chicago Sun-Times |access-date= April 5, 2023}} It was stated to be the largest universal basic income pilot program in the U.S. to date.

{{See also|2023 Chicago mayoral election}}

In the 2023 Chicago mayoral election, a wide field of nine challengers qualified for the ballot.{{Cite web|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2023/1/25/23557778/chicago-mayor-race-election-candidate-lori-lightfoot-municipal-challengers-ballot-vote|title=Mayor Lori Lightfoot Facing Stiff Headwinds As 8 Challengers Vie For Her Job|date=January 25, 2023|website=Chicago Sun-Times}} Polling of the race was largely inconsistent, but indicated that Lightfoot was in danger of losing re-election and that the candidates with the best chance of making a runoff were Lightfoot, U.S. Representative Chuy García, Cook County commissioner Brandon Johnson, former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas, and businessman Willie Wilson.{{Cite web|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/chicago-mayoral-race-enters-final-stretch/|title=Chicago mayoral race enters final stretch|website=www.courthousenews.com}}

Lightfoot faced controversy when she emailed public school teachers offering school credit for students who interned on her campaign{{Cite web|url=https://wgntv.com/news/politics/lightfoots-campaign-emails-chicago-teachers-for-student-volunteers/|title=Lightfoot responds after campaign emails Chicago teachers for student volunteers|date=January 12, 2023}} and when she told South Side residents to either vote for her or not vote at all.{{Cite web|url=https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-mayor-lori-lightfoot-mayoral-election-jesus-chuy-garcia-paul-vallas/12839949/|title=Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot criticized by mayoral candidates for comments made during rally|date=February 19, 2023|website=ABC7 Chicago}} Lightfoot ran ads tying García to Sam Bankman-Fried and Michael Madigan and accusing Johnson of wanting to reduce police budgets.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2023/01/04/lightfoots-new-ad-attacks-garcia-00076293|title=Lightfoot's new ad attacks Garcia on 'crypto crook'|first=Shia|last=Kapos|website=POLITICO|date=January 4, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://news.wttw.com/2023/02/16/johnson-becomes-focus-attacks-mayor-s-race-enters-homestretch-amid-swirl-dark-money|title=Johnson Becomes Focus of Attacks as Mayor's Race Enters Homestretch Amid Swirl of Dark Money|website=WTTW News}}

On February 28, 2023, Lightfoot finished in third place out of nine candidates. Therefore, she failed to qualify for the run-off election of the top two candidates.{{cite news |title= Chicago mayor election results |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/election-results/2023/chicago-mayor/ |newspaper= The Washington Post |access-date= April 5, 2023}} She garnered 16.81% of the vote, while Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson received 32.90% and 21.63%, respectively. Johnson prevailed in the April 4, 2023 runoff.{{cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/2023/04/05/chicago-mayor-election-result-brandon-johnson|title=Brandon Johnson wins Chicago mayor's race|date=April 4, 2023|website=Axios}} Lightfoot was the only of the seven eliminated candidates not to endorse either Johnson or Vallas ahead of the runoff.{{cite web |last1=McDevitt |first1=Michael |title=Brandon Johnson Wins Mayoral Election, Becoming Fourth Black Person to Hold the Office |url=https://www.thedailyline.com/brandon-johnson-chicago-mayor-victory-paul-vallas-election-results |website=The Daily Line |access-date=2 November 2024 |date=April 5, 2023}}

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Below is a table of polls on Lightfoot's approval rating among Chicagoans, descending from most to least recent:

:{{note|Alpha|A}} 6% "strongly approve", 19% "somewhat approve", 25% "somewhat disapprove", 48% "strongly disapprove", and 2% "not sure".

After losing her bid for re-election as mayor of Chicago, Lightfoot began teaching a course (titled "Health Policy and Leadership") as a Menschel Senior Leadership Fellow at Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health.{{cite news |last= Bizzle|first= Jeramie|date= 1 June 2023 |title= Former Chicago Mayor Lightfoot takes on new role since leaving office|url= https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/lightfoot-takes-on-new-role/|work= CBSNews Chicago|access-date=9 August 2024}}

On March 6, 2020, shortly before the 2020 Illinois Democratic presidential primary, Lightfoot endorsed Joe Biden's candidacy for president.{{cite web |last1=Pratt |first1=Gregory |title=Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Sen. Dick Durbin endorse Joe Biden for president |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-lightfoot-durbin-biden-endorsement-president-20200306-cawsel45sramtbpjqgk6erftwu-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=6 March 2020}}

Lightfoot appeared in a video shown on the opening night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention which also features Biden, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, activist Jamira Burley, activist Gwen Carr, and NAACP President Derrick Johnson.{{cite web |title=Democrats Announce Highlights from Opening Night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention: Uniting America |url=https://www.demconvention.com/press-releases/democrats-announce-highlights-from-opening-night-of-the-2020-democratic-national-convention-uniting-america/ |website=2020 Democratic National Convention |access-date=17 August 2020 |date=17 August 2020 |archive-date=August 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817234612/https://www.demconvention.com/press-releases/democrats-announce-highlights-from-opening-night-of-the-2020-democratic-national-convention-uniting-america/ |url-status=dead }}

Lightfoot was a 2020 Democratic United States Electoral College elector from Illinois, casting her votes for Biden as president and Kamala Harris as vice-president.{{cite web |last1=Sweet |first1=Lynn |title=Illinois Electoral College members, including Mayor Lori Lightfoot, vote Monday in Springfield for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2020/12/13/22173347/illinois-electoral-college-members-vote-monday-in-springfield-for-joe-biden-and-kamala-harris |website=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=14 December 2020 |language=en |date=13 December 2020}}{{cite web |title=Illinois Electoral College Members Formally Cast Ballots for Joe Biden, Kamala Harris |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/illinois-electoral-college-members-formally-cast-ballots-for-joe-biden-kamala-harris/2394008/ |website=NBC Chicago |access-date=14 December 2020 |date=14 December 2020}}

Lightfoot resides in the Logan Square neighborhood, on Chicago's Northwest Side.{{cite web|url=https://logansquarist.com/2018/08/a-potential-mayor-out-of-logan-square/|title=Lori Lightfoot: A Potential Mayor Out of a Logan Square Resident|website=LoganSquarist|date=August 27, 2018|language=en-US|access-date=March 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403012031/https://logansquarist.com/2018/08/a-potential-mayor-out-of-logan-square/|archive-date=April 3, 2019|url-status=live}} On May 31, 2014, she married Amy Eshleman, a former Chicago Public Library employee, who is now a full-time mother to the couple's adopted daughter.{{cite news |title=Lori Lightfoot plans to tap LGBT voting bloc to make history and reach City Hall |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/lori-lightfoot-plans-to-tap-lgbt-voting-bloc-to-make-history-and-reach-city-hall/ |newspaper=Chicago Sun Times |access-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403062147/https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/lori-lightfoot-plans-to-tap-lgbt-voting-bloc-to-make-history-and-reach-city-hall/ |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |url-status=live }}

Lightfoot has held Chicago Bears season tickets for 20 years, and is also a Chicago White Sox season ticket-holder.{{cite web |last1=Neveau |first1=James |title=Mayor-Elect Lori Lightfoot to Throw Out First Pitch at Sox, Cubs Home Openers |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/chicago-white-sox-lori-lightfoot-cubs-first-pitch-opening-day-508167521.html |website=NBC Chicago |access-date=April 6, 2019 |date=April 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406204236/https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/chicago-white-sox-lori-lightfoot-cubs-first-pitch-opening-day-508167521.html |archive-date=April 6, 2019 |url-status=live }} She is also a season ticket holder for the WNBA's Chicago Sky.{{Cite web |url=https://sky.wnba.com/ |title=Home – Chicago Sky |access-date=September 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001094731/https://sky.wnba.com/ |archive-date=October 1, 2019 |url-status=live }}

Lightfoot made an appearance on a TV mini-series called The Second City Presents: The Last Show Left on Earth.{{Cite web|title=Lori Lightfoot|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm9838816/bio|access-date=2021-04-06|website=IMDb}}

Lightfoot is a Founding Trustee at Christ the King Jesuit High School in Chicago.{{Cite web|title=Lori E. Lightfoot|url=https://massillonwhsaa.org/awards/distinguished-citizens/lori-lightfoot/|access-date=2021-04-06|website=Massillon Washington High School Alumni Association|language=en}} She is also a member of St. James AME Zion Church.

During some of her years as a partner at Mayer Brown, Lightfoot earned approximately $1 million annually.{{cite web |last1=McClelland |first1=Edward |title=Lightfoot Was Never a Progressive |url=https://www.chicagomag.com/news/november-2019/lightfoot-was-never-a-progressive/ |website=Chicago Magazine |access-date=8 March 2024 |date=November 1, 2019}}

File:Lori Lightfoot - Chicago Pride Parade 2019.jpg

In June 2019, Lightfoot was selected as one of several grand marshals of the Chicago Pride Parade.{{Cite web|last=Baker|first=Lauren|title=Openly gay Chicago mayor leads city's Pride Parade with wife|url=https://www.wrex.com/news/openly-gay-chicago-mayor-leads-city-s-pride-parade-with-wife/article_4a98cc7e-5f7a-595a-a5f1-bea22da5942c.html|access-date=2022-01-09|website=WREX|date=June 30, 2019 |language=en}}

In June 2020, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the first LGBTQ Pride parade, Queerty named her among the fifty heroes "leading the nation toward equality, acceptance, and dignity for all people".{{Cite web|title=Queerty Pride50 2020 Honorees|url=https://www.queerty.com/pride50/|access-date=2020-06-30|website=Queerty|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2020-07-02|title=9 queer political figures creating a more perfect union this election year|url=https://www.queerty.com/9-queer-political-figures-creating-perfect-union-election-year-20200702|access-date=2020-07-28|website=Queerty}}

In October 2020, Lightfoot was chosen by the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) to receive the NMQF Honorable John Lewis Lifetime Achievement Award.{{Cite web|title=Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award from National Minority Quality Forum|url=https://www.nmqf.org/nmqf-media/lightfoot-achievement|access-date=2021-04-06|website=The National Minority Quality Forum|date=October 2, 2020 |language=en-US}}

• List of mayors of the 50 largest cities in the United States
• List of the first LGBT holders of political offices in the United States

{{Reflist|group=note}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/city/en/depts/mayor.html Office of the Mayor] at City of Chicago
• {{C-SPAN|118921}}
• [https://chicagomorningstar.com/tag/lori-lightfoot Lori Lightfoot News]
• [https://basicincome.org/news/2023/02/500-a-month-no-strings-chicago-experiments-with-a-guaranteed-income/ $500 a Month, No Strings: Chicago Experiments With a Guaranteed Income]. Basic Income Earth Network. Published February 13, 2023.

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{{Mayors of Chicago}}

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Lightfoot