Last Tuesday, election history was made in my beloved hometown of Chicago. For the first time ever, an openly gay female African-American has been elected to the office of mayor. Lori Lightfoot ran on a platform of ending the status quo in regards to the Chicago way of doing politics and not only won the election, but did so in an overwhelming fashion. In choosing Lightfoot instead of political insider Toni Preckwinkle, the people of Chicago have sent a loud message that it is time for a change in how this city does business. In her first few days as mayor-elect, Lightfoot has acknowledged the mandate that has been placed before her. She is already discussing ending aldermanic privilege, and her request to personally be able to review the controversial Lincoln Yards deal (and the fact the request was honored) are hopefully just the beginning of an end to the darkness that has shrouded the political sphere of this city for so long. There is a tremendous amount of work to be done, and it is definitely too early to tell how this bold new enterprise will play out. Yet still, it is an exciting time for Chicago politics. I am happy to have a front seat as the promise of a better future begins and am already looking for ways I can be involved in that endeavor.
"It's been a long, a long time coming, but I know A change is gonna come, oh yes it will." Bob Dylan
Words from the Long Run 