Chicago Set to Vote in
Historic Mayoral Election The city will choose between
Toni Preckwinkle and Lori Lightfoot
to take over for Rahm Emanuel. Emanuel is stepping down from the role after two terms in office. In a February qualifying election, the two women received the most votes out of over
a dozen candidates. It will also be the
largest American city whose
mayor is a black woman. Should 56-year-old Lightfoot win,
the attorney will also be the first
Chicago mayor who is openly gay. 72-year-old Preckwinkle is a former city
council member. Currently, she serves as president of the
Cook County Board of Commissioners. During their campaigns,
both Democratic women have
presented themselves as progressives, as opposed to Emanuel's
more moderate approach. The runoff election will
take place on April 2.
