![]() “It was important that the mayor pointed out how much she accomplished. The four-letter word that propelled me forward every single day of this incredible journey - one that I intoned every time that I needed to rise above the noise and despair … that four-letter word was spelled H-O-P-E.” “Lots of time and energy and ink has been spilled by the pundits and the media assessing about what four-letter word the mean, can’t-get-along-with-anyone mayor allegedly said,” Lightfoot said. The mayor also couldn’t resist poking fun at what she apparently views as the cartoon version of Lori Lightfoot - the combative, thin-skinned, abrasive mayor who found it difficult to lead the city because she has trouble working well with others, including the City Council. That’s even after what she called a “historic budget deficit and a massive economic meltdown” that followed that stay-at-home shutdown triggered by the pandemic. The departing mayor also credited her all-female financial “dream team” - Chief Financial Officer Jennie Huang Bennett Budget Director Susie Park and City Comptroller Reshma Soni - for the stewardship that led to 13 bond rating upgrades, pension pre-payments and an $85 million shortfall that is among the lowest in Chicago history. They include leading Chicago through the pandemic and the civil unrest triggered by the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis her Invest South/West plan to rebuild 10 long-neglected commercial corridors improving the lives of working people by raising the minimum wage and championing a predictable scheduling ordinance and bringing mental health care to all 77 Chicago neighborhoods. It began with a performance by a local drum corps and a video highlighting the mayor’s greatest hits and what she views as her most enduring achievements. Harrison, was, nevertheless, a legacy builder - and a well-orchestrated one at that. Still, Monday’s farewell address at BUILD, 5100 W. She decided not to seek reelection and announced that momentous decision before the City Club of Chicago and used that speech to lash out at her critics.īy running and losing, Lightfoot’s political fate was decided for her. Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx was able to define her own legacy by walking away on her own terms. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |