Scolding, swearing, sarcasm: Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s texts reveal her combative dealings with aldermen

CHICAGO — Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot privately called an official a “dumb, dumb person of color.”

Alderman Jason Ervin, she texted, was “full of crap.” She told Alderman Brendan Reilly he was “bush league,” and referred to Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez as a “jackass” in a text to another council member.

Lightfoot’s brusque style is no secret. But a trove of text messages, recently obtained by the Chicago Tribune, further reveals the extent to which the Democratic mayor — who campaigned as a reformer aiming to unite the city — at times resorts to name-calling and shaming of her perceived enemies as she governs the city.

The Tribune obtained more than 2 1/2 years of Lightfoot’s text messages with aldermen through a series of Freedom of Information Act requests with which her staff failed to comply until the state attorney general admonished them and the Tribune threatened a lawsuit.

That led to the release of hundreds of pages of documents offering an unprecedented look at how Chicago’s chief executive deals with city aldermen and workers.

She scolded Alderman Gilbert Villegas, her former floor leader, for not appreciating how many strings federal COVID-19 recovery monies carry and warned, “It would be a mistake for you to make promises that you have no ability to deliver.”

And she sent a sarcastic text to Alderman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez after the first-term council member criticized her support for Columbus Day on Twitter.

“Shows real resolve toward building bridges,” Lightfoot said. “Nice work.”

In response to questions about the texts, Lightfoot press secretary Cesar Rodriguez released a statement Thursday saying, “The past two years have been some of the most challenging times for local elected leaders.”

“Governing is a tough business. Emotions