Lori Lightfoot sworn in as Chicago’s first black woman mayor

AP | Lori Lightfoot has taken the oath of office, becoming Chicago’s first black female and openly gay mayor.

Lightfoot was inaugurated Monday morning at Chicago’s Wintrust Arena with her wife and daughter at her side. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, former Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and outgoing Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel were among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony.

Lightfoot waved to the crowd after taking the oath and started her remarks calling Chicago “a proud city with a proud history” that she considers a “city of hope.”

Lightfoot was elected in an April runoff against Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

The newly installed mayor moved to enact a reform pledge she made during her campaign.

Lightfoot signed an executive order Monday afternoon limiting aldermanic prerogative. That’s the custom that allows each alderman to direct zoning and period decisions in the ward the politician represents.

During the signing ceremony following her swearing in, Lightfoot said signing the order ensures equitable services are delivered to all of the city’s communities. The order streamlines administrative decisions made by eliminating the aldermanic veto while preserving aldermanic voice in departmental decisions.

Lightfoot’s stance has drawn criticism from some longtime aldermen, with one, Anthony Beale, accusing her of painting the City Council with a broad brush.

Lightfoot joked during her inaugural address that “putting Chicago government and integrity in the same sentence may seem a little strange.” But she said she was elected on the promise of change and she planned to deliver.