Chicago makes history electing Lori Lightfoot as first black woman

Chicago has created history by electing an African-American woman as its mayor for the first time. 

Lori Lightfoot, a 56-year-old former federal prosecutor and practicing lawyer who has never before held elected office, won the city's mayoral race by a huge margin. She will also be Chicago's first openly gay mayor. 

Lightfoot’s primary proposals include increasing access to



affordable housing, creating an office of public safety to reduce crime and reform policing, and pushing through a real estate transfer tax to help combat homelessness. She also backs abolishing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Lightfoot will take over office from Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who previously served as chief of staff under former President Barack Obama.