Lori Lightfoot, '89, Nominated as Chicago Police Board Chair

Mayor Rahm Emanuel today announced he has nominated Lori Lightfoot, a former federal prosecutor with experience in public safety, as the next chair of the Chicago Police Board – the civilian body that gives residents a voice in the police disciplinary process. Lightfoot replaces Demetrius Carney, the current chair of the Police Board.

“The Police Board is a unique and important body that provides residents with a voice in the police disciplinary process, ensuring it is not only fair and transparent but also that it works for the people of Chicago and our officers,” said Mayor Emanuel.” As a former federal prosecutor, and with a deep background in public safety, Lori Lightfoot brings an important perspective and a record of impartiality to Chicago’s Police Board that will serve our city well. Demetrius Carney has devoted his time and his energy to the people of Chicago and to the Police Board for years, and I want to thank him for his service to our city.”

Lightfoot, a partner with the law firm Mayer Brown, has served in numerous key governmental roles, including as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division of the Northern District of Illinois, as General Counsel and Chief of Staff at the Chicago Office of Emergency Management, and as Chief Administrator at the Office of Professional Standards – the internal Police Department organization that investigated allegations of excessive force and misconduct prior to 2007 when the City created the independent investigative agency – the Independent Police Review Authority.