By: Ashmar Mandou

Lori E. Lightfoot on Monday was sworn in as the 56th Mayor of Chicago with her wife, Amy Eshleman, and daughter, Vivian, at her side. Thousands of members of the public attended the inaugural ceremony at Wintrust Arena to participate and celebrate this momentous achievement in Chicago’s history.
 
“To those who are alone, we are with you. To those who need a home, we will shelter you. For those who have little, we will do much. We see you. We hear you. We are your neighbors. And—so help me—we will not pass you by,” said Mayor Lightfoot.
 
Mayor Lightfoot took the oath of office administered by the Honorable Susan E. Cox, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Illinois and long-time friend of the Mayor. Preceding Mayor Lightfoot taking the oath, Clerk Anna Valencia, all fifty City Council members (including 12 new members), and Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin were also sworn in.
 
The presentation of colors was given by the Phoenix Military Academy JROTC. The Pledge of Allegiance was performed by 17-year old Arturo Ballesteros from Back of the Yards College Prep and the National Anthem was performed by Miguel Cervantes of Chicago’s “Hamilton” accompanied by the Chicago Sinfonietta.
 
Musical entertainment included Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, After School Matters Choir, Native Veterans Group of Trickster Art Gallery, Ribbon Town Drum from Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, Chicago Sinfonietta – Project Inclusion, Merit School of Music, Alfreda Burke & Rodrick Dixon accompanied by Fred Nelson III, Lizz Wright accompanied by Kenny Banks and Bagpipes & Drums of the Emerald Society of the Chicago Police Department.
 
Faith leaders participating in the program included Rev. Dr. L. Bernard Jakes of West Point
Missionary Baptist Church, Imam Tariq I. El-Amin of Masjid Al-Taqwa, Rev. Dr. Beth Brown of Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, Rabbi Capers C. Funnye, Jr of Beth Shalom B’Nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation and Father Thomas J. Hurley of Old Saint Patrick’s Church.
 
Steppenwolf Ensemble Member Amy Morton served as the Master of Ceremonies. Following the inaugural ceremony, Mayor Lightfoot and First Lady Amy Eshleman will greet members of the public at City Hall during a public open house from 2-4pm. Mayor Lightfoot is Chicago’s first black female, and first openly gay mayor. Lightfoot is the second woman to be elected to the post in Chicago’s history.

Photo Credit: Tony Diaz