On 100th day, Lightfoot recaps progress and commits to prioritizing affordable housing

Mayor Lori Lightfoot has spent 100 days in office, but there’s no “victory lap” yet she said at a Wednesday morning event held at Kenwood Academy.

The mayor gathered her transition team and reviewed the progress her administration has made in the past few months. To an audience of city officials and other Lightfoot supporters, the mayor also announced priorities moving forward which included making affordable housing more accessible.

Here’s a rundown of the housing, development, and city policies the mayor has worked to make more inclusive and transparent since she took the top position:

• The administration has worked on a strategy to redevelop years of disinvestment on the South and West sides which began with a citywide listening tour and the creation of a local business coalition to advise the city.
• The application process and rules were updated for affordable housing tax credits, which makes it easier for developers to get projects started.
• Lightfoot’s administration is working to find a location for a Chicago casino, and involving the community. However, a feasibility study didn’t reveal hopeful results.
• The mayor has made it clear that ethical governance will be a cornerstone of her administration. On day one she limited alderpeople’s ability to block development in their ward and then passed an ethics reform package with new rules.
• She also addressed the punitive vehicle ticketing and debt collection practices that unfairly sent residents into debt.

There is still a lot Lightfoot has to work on, and some community activists don’t think the mayor has done enough so far for housing, homelessness, and other development-related issues.

Moving forward, a major priority will be planning our the city’s short- and long-term finances. Lightfoot also wants to expand mental health and trauma services in every neighborhood, build more affordable housing, and pass a $15 minimum wage.