South Cook News

Last week Chicago mayoral candidates took part in a forum, highlighted by Mayor Lori Lightfoot standing by her record in battling the crime issue plaguing the city.

The Chicago Tribune reported that the forum was hosted by WCPT 820-AM on January 26. Crime was a hot button issue at the forum, and Mayor Lightfoot said she was the person who has been working to tackle the issue most. She praised police Superintendent David Brown, who she selected, saying that the city’s shootings and homicides are down from a year ago.

“David Brown has been through hell and back, as we all have,” Lightfoot said. “He is, in this moment, leading our department and I stand by him.”

While gun crimes and homicides have been down compared to last year, the numbers are still higher than when Lightfoot took office in 2019, the report said.

The forum was split into two fields of candidates. The first field of candidates included Lightfoot, Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas, U.S. Rep. and Chicago Southside businessman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia and businessman Willie Wilson.

In the forum Lightfoot also knocked Garcia, calling him the “OG” of police defunding, which Garcia denied. She said, “This man is a (police) defunder, pure and simple. Don’t let him fool you.”

The second field was state Rep. Kambium Buckner, Alderman Sophia King, Alderman Roderick Sawyer and Ja’Mal Green.

The main issue discussed was aldermanic prerogative. Green said some city council members abused the power involved. King defended it saying that there would have been a casino built in Bronzeville against the will of residents without it. She said she used aldermanic prerogative to fight for the community.

All nine candidates are running in the election taking place on February 28. If no candidates receive 50% of the vote, the top two vote getters will compete in an April 4 runoff election.

Ballots can be cast through Election Day at the sixth floor of 69 West Washington Street and at 191 North Clark Street.