Lightfoot Attacks ‘Aldermanic Prerogative’ Hours Into Her Tenure

By Daniel Tucker
Lightfoot Inauguration
In her inauguration speech, Lightfoot laid out a four-point plan for safety, education, stability and integrity. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ
Lightfoot Inauguration
In her inauguration speech, Lightfoot laid out a four-point plan for safety, education, stability and integrity. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ

Lightfoot Attacks ‘Aldermanic Prerogative’ Hours Into Her Tenure

By Daniel Tucker
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Mayor Lori Lightfoot delivered a rousing and, at times, defiant inaugural address after being sworn in as the city’s 56th mayor Monday at the Wintrust Arena. 

The former federal prosecutor laid out her plans to reform and remake both the city of Chicago and Chicago politics during the roughly half-hour speech.

Later that day, Lightfoot followed through on one of her promises when she signed an executive order eliminating “aldermanic prerogative” — an unwritten rule that gives City Council members the final say over development projects in their wards.

Lightfoot also took steps toward enacting her agenda for the first 100 days in office, which includes keeping Chicagoans safe over Memorial Day weekend, bringing equity to the city’s ticketing practices and much, much more.

Morning Shift checks in with a City Hall reporter for more on Lightfoot’s inauguration and her first moves as mayor.

GUEST: Fran Spielman, Chicago Sun-Times city hall reporter

LEARN MORE: Lightfoot Sworn In: ‘Get Ready… Reform Is Here’ (Chicago Sun-Times 5/20/19)

Lightfoot’s Inaugural Address Could Set The Tone — Or Draw The Line (Chicago Sun-Times 5/19/19)