What Can We Expect From Chicago’s New Mayor?

Mayor of Chicago Lori Lightfoot speaks during her inauguration ceremony Monday, May 20, 2019, in Chicago.
Mayor of Chicago Lori Lightfoot speaks during her inauguration ceremony Monday, May 20, 2019, in Chicago. Jim Young / AP Photo
Mayor of Chicago Lori Lightfoot speaks during her inauguration ceremony Monday, May 20, 2019, in Chicago.
Mayor of Chicago Lori Lightfoot speaks during her inauguration ceremony Monday, May 20, 2019, in Chicago. Jim Young / AP Photo

What Can We Expect From Chicago’s New Mayor?

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

Lori Lightfoot was sworn in as Chicago’s first female African-American mayor earlier today. Following 22 years of administration by Richard M. Daley and five by Rahm Emanuel, the 2019 runoff election for mayor saw Lightfoot and her opponent Toni Preckwinkle both promising meaningful breaks with the way Chicago has been run in the past, greater investment in the city’s South and West sides, crackdowns on corruption in a city where 30 aldermen have been convicted of the offense since 1972 and more affordable housing. We’re joined by reporter and lecturer at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media and Integrated Marketing Communications Kari Lydersen, writer, activist and academic Yasmin Nair, Chicago Streetsblog’s John Greenfield and WBEZ’s own Monica Eng to talk about what they expect from Lori Lightfoot on human rights, making city policy reflective of the electorate’s wishes, the environment and transportation.