when is lori lightfoot up for reelection
Racial politics have also been on full display in this election. But recent polls show the mayor's approval rating dropping to under 50%. A local county commissioner, Brandon Johnson, is chief among them. He's repeatedly called for more police officers, saying, Crime is out of control.. "That's an issue that touches every voter in the city, and she's going to have to address that one head on.". Roderick Sawyer became the second city council member to announce a mayoral run Thursday, joining 15th Ward Alderman Ray Lopez. Lightfoot speaks exclusively with ABC7 outside Brown Sugar Bakery appearance. This comes as petitions are due next week. I will tell you in that big crowd a week ago, everybody was wearing masks, she said. But at other times, Lightfoots actions have been questioned. I need you to be on that ride with me. Virginia Beach struck by tornado, dozens of homes damaged, At least 27 shot, 5 fatally, in Chicago weekend shootings: police, Toddler dies after being shot inside Chicago home last week: officials. Forty years ago, Jane Byrne, the first woman to serve as mayor of Chicago, was turned into a one-termer by a defeat that paved the way for another first: the election of Chicagos first Black mayor, Washington. April 25, 2023 / 1:17 PM / CBS Chicago. cheerfully dancing in the streets during a Lunar New Year parade. Three-to-four thousand more votes across Black Chicago. I need you to fight with me every single day," Lightfoot said. Lightfoot has accused Vallas of being a closet Republican who is anti-abortion and pro-voucher even though he ran for governor and lieutenant governor as a Democrat and has called himself a Democrat his entire life. Were she to lose, Lightfoot would be the first Chicago mayor in decades to run for reelection and fail. The union approved an agreement in February 2021 to reopen the citys public schools to in-person learning after Lightfoot threatened to lock some educators out of remote learning software if they didnt return. CHICAGO (CBS) -- Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Tuesday announced the launch of her campaign for a second term. Its not a story that Vallas made the runoff. The mayor points to a record of achievements that include pushing through a $15 minimum wage that labor unions had sought for years and approval of a long-sought casino thats expected to bring millions in revenue and thousands of jobs. "You can't get the kind of things done that we have gotten done through the most difficult circumstances without being able to build partnerships and coalitions. It is., Ross Harano was among those polled who planned to vote for Garcia. "I know as a fact she worked on wrongful convictions is acutely aware of the presumption of innocence. He said that he fundamentally opposes abortion. Earlier this week, she riled many in the criminal justice system with a comment. She fought with police when she mandated they get a COVID-19 vaccine to stay on the job. Thats the share of votes Lightfoot won in the first round of the 2019 mayoral race, when she faced 13 other contenders, including Vallas, who won the less than 6% of votes. Mayor Lori Lightfoot kicked off her re-election campaign with a whirlwind tour around Chicago Wednesday. Johnson is also a big personality and a talented communicator who could ride a wave of national media attention into the runoff just as Lightfoot did in 2019, Axelrod said. Chicago is the most segregated city in America. And this is coming from a family of four police officers, including my wife.. I havent been this happy since my son returned from Afghanistan, Vallas told a crowd of supporters chanting his name. The city also saw more than 20,000 cases of theft last year, nearly double the amount of similar incidents in 2021, Chicago Police Department data shows. Election Day is Tuesday, with a likely runoff for the top-two vote-getters in April. Heres Brandon, a beaming Johnson said as his supporters chanted, We want Brandon., Well Chicago, we did it yall. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. During the campaign, a number of business leaders accused Lightfoot of neglecting the citys famous Michigan Avenue shopping district known as the Magnificent Mile. Bottom row, from left: Lori Lightfoot, Roderick Sawyer and Jess Chuy Garca. Copyright 2023 NPR. Earlier Tuesday, sources told NBC 5 political reporter Mary Ann Ahern that Lightfoot was expected to announce her 2023 re-election campaign at a private event for donors and close allies in Chicago's River North neighborhood Tuesday, followed by a public event Wednesday. In the first three weeks of 2023, crime rates skyrocketed by 61% compared to the previous year. I want to finish the job that we have started.". Garcia said he didnt know Bankman-Fried, and his campaign returned direct contributions. Tuesday voters rejected reelection bid. All of the candidates have sought to address the issue, but Vallas and Wilson have been the most outspoken, focusing mostly on beefing up the police. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. Ald. In a highly-produced campaign video , Lightfoot said she's a fighter who's ready to fight for Chicago for another four years. "Crime issue is her Achilles heel. Rising crime rates followed, as they did in many large cities, with domestic violence incidents, shootings, and retail and auto thefts posting sharp increases. Lightfoot was asked why she won't be turning hers in on the first day, but will instead wait till the last minute. Man sues bar after he was allegedly banned for being ol Georgia player under fire after racist remark during 2023 NFL Draft on livestream, Dad of crying infant that triggered Texas killing spree 'never thought' gunman would fire, Megyn Kelly sports red MAGA-style hat in poolside pic, Gayle King says she doesnt have a desire to retire: I want more work, WNBA star Brittney Griner is heading to the Met Gala, Mariah Carey celebrates Moroccan and Monroes 12th birthday: My babies, NY Post Sports Reporter Zach Braziller breaks down the Knicks game 1 loss to the Heat, Elon Musk Tells Bill Maher Woke Mind Virus Is Dangerous On Real Time, Kendall Jenner rocks sheer top, fur mini skirt for date night with Bad Bunny. The CTU endorsed Johnson after deciding not to wait for Garcias decision to enter the race. Veteran political consultant Delmarie Cobb says in a city that's a third Black, a third white and a third Latino, it's a factor that can't be ignored. WOELFEL: But Lightfoot's opponents have hit her most on a spike in crime, an issue cities across the country have grappled with amid the pandemic. This time, he spent more than $6 million of his personal fortune. As for her successor, Lightfoot said it will be critical for Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson to rise above the fray and not be beholden to any special interests. Its hard to make the case for reelection when your numbers are that bad, and youve got so many people in the city and its across the board saying they dont think things are going well.. Lightfoot is facing eight contenders in the mayoral race. During her time in office, Lightfoot has faced criticism from a number of groups, ranging from the Chicago Teachers Union in 2019 for her handling of the teachers' strike that year, to the ACLU in 2022 regarding her Millennium Park curfew for unaccompanied minors. Lightfoot has had a rocky first term, having to guide the city through the pandemic, inflation, violent crime and protests over police brutality. But her bid for a second term is very much in question amid concerns about continuing high crime in the nation's third-largest city and accusations that she is overly hostile and sometimes flat-out mean criticism she has dismissed as sexist and racist smears against a tough leader who is passionate about Chicago. I don't think the public should beat her up too much on this she let the emotions get the best and she knows," Former 1st Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Bob Milan. Vallas has run an uncharacteristically disciplined campaign singularly focused on this law-and-order message. And if everyone wants to keep up, they can try to keep up," said Alderman Roderick Sawyer, a fellow candidate for mayor. Now Lightfoot is telling voters she needs four more years. 9. Garcia led with 20%, followed by Vallas with 18% and Lightfoot with 17%. Businessman Willie Wilson trailed closely with 12%, and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson with 11%. We will make Chicago the safest city in America, he said. Ahead of a crowded Feb. 28 election, Lightfoot has been forced to go on the defensive in a heated race that has turned into both a personality contest and a policy debate. She is over the top," Garcia said. When Garcia and Vallas were pitted head-to-head, 47% of respondents chose Garcia, and 36% went with Vallas. It wouldn't happen. All Rights Reserved. The mayor is already facing half a dozen challengers, including candidate Willie Wilson. He also got the backing of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot's first term in office saw a spike in crime, disputes with labor unions, and the pandemic. LIGHTFOOT: I'm a Black woman in America. Earlier Tuesday, sources told NBC 5 political reporter Mary Ann Ahern that Lightfoot was expected to announce her 2023 re-election campaign at a private event for donors and close allies in. In a hypothetical Vallas-Lightfoot contest, the former CPS chief led the mayor 48% to 35%. Lightfootwho became Chicago's first Black female and first openly gay mayor in 2019is facing an uphill battle for reelection, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, with recent polls showing her. The Sun-Times Patrick Finley answers the biggest questions facing the Bears after the draft: On this International Workers Day, were committed to fighting for a better future for all workers in our city and state, two labor leaders write. "What I hope, is that the work that we have done in the weather - it's through the investments in youth, investments in health care, affordable housing, public safety, mental health, public health - I hope that that work will stand the test of time through the lives of the people who have been most affected by it," Lightfoot said. Mayoral elections in Chicago are nonpartisan. Another 10 candidates, including Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara and CTU President Jesse Sharkey are considering running as well, sources told Ahern. Chicago was one of several major cities where high-end retail districts were hit with looting in the wake of the George Floyd protests in the summer of 2020. Lightfoot, a Democrat, failed to get enough votes in the nine-person race to move on to an April 4 runoff election, according to projections by The Associated Press. "Obviously we've got to make sure we continue to do everything that we can to make public safety the priority, period. WOELFEL: Lightfoot's term has been defined in part by pandemic-era battles. But even as crime continued to increase, Lightfoot was accused of a lack of concern after she was caught on camera in January cheerfully dancing in the streets during a Lunar New Year parade. She said shed take either over Lightfoot. But there are serious Black challengers to her left to choose from who say Lightfoot has reneged on progressive promises. Mayor Lori Lightfoot is the first openly gay person and first Black woman to lead the city. He has built a tough-on-crime campaign and is endorsed by the city's largest police union. If no candidate wins a majority on Feb. 28, the two candidates who win the most votes square off in an April 4 runoff. But I stand here with my head held high and my heart full of thanks, Lightfoot told supporters shortly before 9 p.m. You will not be defined by how you fall. Mayor Lori Lightfoot's reelection battle is clouded in uncertainty, her chances of beating either U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia or former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas in a runoff appearing slim and her prospects for even making it to the April election up in the air. Catch up on the developing stories making headlines. He has advocated for tougher crime penalties, more arrests and hiring more police officers. I can tell you that much. Lightfoot has criticized Vallas as a Republican in disguise, noting he has received campaign contributions from GOP donors. A triumphant Johnson claimed his spot in the runoff a few minutes later with an updated version of what former Mayor Harold Washington said on the day he became Chicagos first Black mayor in 1983. "I think people go up early when there's trouble in the water. When he did take the podium, he asked the crowd to give the outgoing mayor a round of applause for her service and courage. McElroy said officers have taken 45 minutes to respond to crimes shes witnessed in her neighborhood. Weve made progress year-over-year, Lightfoot said. "But I thought the mood was great kicking it off, and I think it's a good thing.". She says she's faced unprecedented challenges and joked she'd give this note of caution to her 2019 self. ", "My hope is that the challenges that we've faced around our own personal safety will subside," Lightfoot said. Vallas has cast the city as gripped by out-of-control crime and blamed leadership for failing to hold people accused of crimes accountable. WATCH: Political Analyst Weights In On Lightfoot Reelection Bid. He wants to train and promote 200 new detectives, launch a comprehensive efficiency audit, close CPDs Homan Square facility, erase a racist gang database and end the three-year, $33 million ShotSpotter contract. They said that this would never happen. On the issue of crime, under Lightfoot, Chicago in 2021 recorded the most killings in a quarter-century, 797, and more than 3,500 shootings which was 1,400 more than were recorded in 2019, when Lightfoot first took office. He switched parties when Barack Obama became the president of the United States. After Hurricane Katrina, Paul went to New Orleans and privatized three quarters of the citys public schools, which caused the largest decline of Black educators. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. It didnt save Lightfoot. "I am announcing today that, at . The future of the City Council is also up in the air. Shes not listening to our needs.. "There's a lot of anger, frustration and fear that is present, not only in Chicago, but across our country. Crime spiked during her term, though she has repeatedly touted that it dropped year-over-year in 2022. Teachers in the nations third-largest school district ended up going on strike for 11 days, which led to canceled classes for more than 300,000 students over a labor contract deal regarding pay raises. Its something to see. But, she does plan to stay in Chicago, and she said she is looking forward to being a private citizen again. Lightfoots re-election campaign has centered on highlighting investments in impoverished neighborhoods under her watch and her early popularity during the pandemic. IE 11 is not supported. Johnson wont commit to filling the 1,700 police vacancies or fully funding the Chicago Police Departments $1.94 billion budget. Sophia King (4th) or state Rep. Kam Buckner. After the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police prompted protests and civil unrest, including smashing of storefront windows and fires, Lightfoot ordered the city to raise drawbridges over the Chicago River in an attempt to block protesters from entering the downtown area. Ray Lopez, Ald. WOELFEL: Lightfoot faced backlash recently after warning Black residents against splitting the vote, saying a ballot for anyone but her is like giving your vote to Vallas. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot's first term in office saw a spike in crime, disputes with labor unions, and the pandemic. In late 2020, Lightfoot was forced to defend herself after she popped up at a crowded victory party celebrating Joe Bidens presidential election victory just days before she enforced a stay-at-home order amid rising COVID-19 cases.