Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot swept into office as an avowed reformer. Three years later, critics see ‘missed opportunities’ and a mixed record

CHICAGO — As a candidate for mayor, Lori Lightfoot promised to transform Chicago’s often corrupt political culture, in part by taking away the near-total power aldermen have over matters in their own wards and by leading a transparent government.

“For years, they said Chicago ain’t ready for reform. Well, get ready, because reform is here,” Lightfoot declared in her inaugural address.

Three years after that speech, however, activists and aldermen say the city’s political culture largely remains intact. And as she gears up for an expected reelection bid next year — this time as an insider — the Democratic mayor's record on cleaning up City Hall is likely to be a target of those who want to succeed her.

Lightfoot has already faced criticism that she’s abandoned core issues on openness, ethics and political reform that she campaigned on. Detractors cite her pledges to support an independent ward remapping process and to rein in the controversial developer-subsidy program known as tax-increment financing. She has also so far failed to substantively tackle aldermanic prerogative, which gives City Council members tight control over building and development in their wards.

To be sure, Lightfoot has achieved some successes as a reformer. The first-term mayor introduced ethics law changes strengthening the inspector general’s office and cutting back on