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* Gregory Pratt at the Tribune…
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot privately called an official a “dumb, dumb person of color.”
Ald. Jason Ervin, she texted, was “full of crap.” She told Ald. Brendan Reilly he was “bush league,” and referred to Ald. 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 Tribune, further reveals the extent to which the 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 2½ 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.
Lots of stuff in there, so go read the rest.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 4:00 pm
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Lori should not address these text messages until well into her second term.
Comment by City Zen Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 4:07 pm
Chicago thought it was voting in reform, but instead traded out a condescending bully who knew exactly what he was doing for a condescending bully who has no idea what she’s doing. The Machine’s remnants must be counting down the days until ‘23.
Comment by Roadrager Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 4:12 pm
sounds like Tribune gearing up for an endorsement of Arne Duncan in 2023.
Comment by Pawar Lost Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 4:13 pm
===Tribune gearing up for an endorsement===
Greg has nothing to do with that. And Arne Duncan is running in a certain former columnist’s mind.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 4:27 pm
Arne Duncan and Lori Lightfoot are the same person politically.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 4:32 pm
Perhaps Paul Vallas is more your speed. He comes highly recommended - from Paul Vallas.
Comment by Roadrager Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 4:32 pm
All filters get removed when texting. Pure gold for anyone who wants to see what something is really thinking.
Comment by The Way I See It Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 4:40 pm
Was she texting with Jon Gruden?
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 4:47 pm
Text messages from Rahm are more entertaining.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 4:59 pm
She’s a Former Fed prosecutor, does anyone still not believe she thinks all politicians are below her? Look at Scott Drury, he had the same mindset, was just neutered by being part of the collaborative not the one in charge.
As a former Fed they believe they are anointed by God and the US Govt to do whatever, whenever they want. This has been going on for decades with these folks.
Comment by Frank talks Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 5:00 pm
It doesn’t take much of following her tenure as mayor to get the sense that she is kind of a brash individual that handles most political situations like a bull in a china shop. It is mind boggling to me that a mayor a lawyer,a former AUSA, would think it or say it, but to actually put anywhere near this in writing …
Comment by 618er Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 5:07 pm
So, are the emails of the Tribune management staff equally available to see that they name call or use condescention? Or is this a one way finger point for a headline.
Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 5:09 pm
“So, are the emails of the Tribune management staff equally available to see that they name call or use condescention? Or is this a one way finger point for a headline.”
No, because they are not elected and paid for by taxpayers.
Comment by Anon E Moose Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 5:41 pm
well, things people say are often embarrassing, but what I question more is her management style. why are Council Members texting her? isn’t there a better way to manage? sure, crisis situations mean a different level of communicating, but this all over the place style does not give a feeling of steady leadership. rein it all in.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 5:46 pm
but speaking of texts, let’s get back to reading the communications of another local elected official, Kim Foxx. with today’s 5/6 guilty verdicts, we are back to assessment of those who are lawyers who were involved in the original run up and decision to not charge him.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 5:49 pm
It’s disappointing that these text messages exist.
What damn foolish behavior.
Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 5:52 pm
What was it that Joe Kennedy said? Don’t write anything down that you wouldn’t want to see on the front page of the New York Times.
Comment by Proud Papa Bear Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 6:02 pm
Lori Lightfoot is not ready for primetime. period.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 6:12 pm
Lesson, if you want longevity in politics leave the email and the text messaging alone….
Comment by Levois J Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 6:26 pm
The old saying “Do right and fear no man, don’t write and fear no woman” should be updated to “Don’t text and fear no Freedom of Information Act requests.”
Comment by West Side the Best Side Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 6:56 pm
This is embarrassing. If Emanuel or Daley dared speak of folks this way they would have been flayed long ago. She is undeserving of this office.
Comment by Shytown Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 8:52 pm
I’m pretty [expletive deleted] sure Rahm & Daley both spoke of certain City Council members exactly this way. They just new not to put it in writing.
Sincerely,
Recipient of more than one City Hall “call me” missive.
Comment by ChicagoBars Friday, Dec 10, 21 @ 8:05 am
== Proud Papa Bear - Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 6:02 pm:
What was it that Joe Kennedy said? Don’t write anything down that you wouldn’t want to see on the front page of the New York Times. ==
Still holds true. When I started in government a decade ago one of the first things my boss told me was “Don’t write anything in an email you wouldn’t want on the front page of the Tribune.”
Comment by DuPage Guy Friday, Dec 10, 21 @ 8:16 am
MLL spends a lot of time saying “I don’t like being ordered around”. We’re either missing some crucial context to those conversations, or she’s got some really think skin.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Dec 10, 21 @ 9:19 am
“MLL spends a lot of time saying “I don’t like being ordered around”. We’re either missing some crucial context to those conversations, or she’s got some really think skin.”
No additional context is needed. She has really thin skin.
Comment by Montrose Friday, Dec 10, 21 @ 10:22 am
I wonder if MLL lists Lee Elia as among her personal heroes.
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Friday, Dec 10, 21 @ 10:34 am
The thing is, never think “no one is listening”, never believe “no one will read this”, never write as it won’t come back to haunt.
First it was always be careful what you say, when you say it, and to whom… but last and most critical has always been “never write it down”
Emails are as bad or worse than social media; neither ever help, rarely if ever help, but emails can be also official docs put into an official type position, not a lax personal thought.
Never write it down unless it’s necessary and write exactly what is required, no more.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 10, 21 @ 1:46 pm