Here is the text of a comment attached to the NYT article about her today. I'd like to hear Tradd's view from a fellow Chicagoan.
As a long-time Chicagoan, I am somewhere between amused and disturbed about the ignorant comments here by people who've never even been to Chicago.
I voted for Lori Lightfoot in 2019, and against her in 2023. In those two votes, I am with a majority of fellow Chicago voters of all races.
Both liberals and conservatives are claiming victory, because Lightfoot was a moderate, and the primary winners are to her right and left. This perplexes out-of-towners.
Lori, however, proved to be pugnacious, bullying, and uncooperative. Keeping the parks closed during COVID was insane, when health officials were saying that outdoors was healthier than indoors. Her decision to plop a large casino in an area that strongly doesn't want it, and her decision to close Grant Park for 3 weeks in mid-summer for a NASCAR race, have really turned off many people. Then there was her green-lighting the Obama Center in Jackson Park, which nobody in that area wanted, instead of a much better vacant location adjacent to (but not in!) Washington Park. We hope a new mayor can un-do some of these harms.
Race wasn't it. Harold Washington is still regarded as a skilled, compassionate politician who got things done and brought people of all races together. He has a library and a park named for him.
And to those who try to fit Chicago into a political mold so they can bash it from afar, come visit. I think you'll actually like it.