Post submitted by Stephen Peters,  former Senior National Press Secretary and Spokesperson   

Today, HRC released the following statement celebrating Lori Lightfoot’s election victory in the race for mayor of Chicago. Lightfoot will now make history as the city’s first openly LGBTQ and Black female mayor.

“Tonight, Lori Lightfoot made history as Chicago’s first openly LGBTQ and Black female mayor,” said HRC Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs JoDee Winterhof. “HRC was proud to endorse Lightfoot and help turn out the vote for her historic candidacy. We congratulate Lori Lightfoot on her victory and look forward to working closely with her as the first openly LGBTQ and Black female mayor of Chicago to ensure the city moves forward to be an inclusive and welcoming place for everyone.”

As mayor, Lori Lightfoot has pledged to safeguard the civil rights of the LGBTQ community. In Lori’s LGBTQ policy framework, she outlines increasing LGBTQ representation in government by appointing mayoral LGBTQ liaisons, bolstering safety and justice for the trans community by improving police training and thoroughly investigating hate crimes, and addressing the needs of Chicago’s LGBTQ community by creating youth drop-in centers and expanding housing options for seniors and veterans.  

Lori Lightfoot most recently served as a senior equity partner in the Litigation and Conflict Resolution Group at Mayer Brown LLP. She also served as President of the Chicago Police Board from 2015 to 2018, where she worked to decide disciplinary matters involving all allegations of police misconduct. Lightfoot also held roles as interim first deputy of the Chicago Department of Procurement Services, chief of staff and general counsel of the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications. She also was also an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, managing large-scale investigations involving political corruption and criminal drug conspiracies. Lightfoot has served on the board of numerous organizations, including NARAL Illinois, ACLU Illinois, Better Government Association and the Center for Conflict Resolution.