As Expected, Mayor Lori Lightfoot Announces Bid For Second Term

CHICAGO — As expected, Mayor Lori Lightfoot is running for re-election.

The mayor made it official Tuesday with the release of her first campaign video that begins by addressing critics who say she's angry and takes things too personally.

"You know what I say," Lightfoot says in the video. "They're absolutely right.

"When we fight for change, confront a global pandemic, work to keep kids in school, take on guns and gangs, systemic inequality and political corruption only to have powerful forces try and stop progress for Chicago -- of course I take it personally, for our city."

So far, five candidates have announced plans to challenge Lightfoot's re-election bid including Ald. Raymond Lopez, businessman Willie Wilson, former Chicago Public Schools chief Paul Vallas, state Rep. Kam Buckner and Ald. Roderick Sawyer.

Lightfoot's campaign kick-off starts with a fundraiser in River North Tuesday night.

On Wednesday, the mayor is expected to make five campaign stops around the city.