Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Texts Reveal Racist, Belittling Attitude

The Chicago Tribune obtained revealing text messages between Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and various aldermen and city workers.

Through a Freedom of Information Act request, the outlet obtained upwards of two and a half years of the mayor’s texts. When asked about the text messages, Mayor Lightfoot’s press secretary Cesar Rodriquez offered a weak defense, releasing a statement saying, “The past two years have been some of the most challenging times for local elected leaders. Governing is a tough business. Emotions can at times get the best of each of us. The mayor is fully focused on working together with (aldermen) and other stakeholders to continue to address the very serious issues that face our city every day.”

When texting with Alderman Pat Dowell on how Ald. Silvana Tabares was attempting to prevent Lightfoot from enacting a vaccine mandate with City Council approval, Lightfoot blew up. The infamous mayor suggested the political fight between her and Tabares was political and somehow racially motivated. Lightfoot wrote, “It has everything to do with (Fraternal Order of Police president) John Cantazara. That racist SOB, trying to prove that he has more power than the black mayor and the black supt. And Burke, per usual, found a dumb, dumb person of color to do his bidding. It is classic racial politics.”

It is unclear who Lightfoot called “a dumb, dumb person of color”. Two days previously, Mayor Lightfoot seemed perplexed on why Tabares would support the police, saying, “Honestly, I really don’t understand a woman of color carrying the water for a guy who’s demonstrated over and over again he’s racist”.

In another text message chain, Ald. Nick Sposato texted Lightfoot, in May of 2020, “Shitso is an a**hole!” Lightfoot responded, “There are no words for that jack*ss”. These texts seem to be referencing Byron Sigcho-Lopez, a Chicago City Council member.

In another text, just before the city’s 2020 budget vote, Lightfoot warned black alderman that if they did not support her budget, “Don’t come to me for sh*t”. Ald. Walter Burnett, a black man, texted the mayor, informing her that her comments hurt his ability to garner votes for her budget. Lightfoot responded, “Sorry if I offended people by being candid, but it is only fair to support the people who support (your) programs. In what world does the opposition get rewarded?”

Stay tuned to The Scoop for any updates.