CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot said ending the power of Aldermen to veto projects in their ward will be one of her first acts on taking office next month.She talked about this issue during the campaign. Now, she said at City Hall that she will quickly issue an executive order banning aldermanic privilege after she’s sworn in. That’s the unwritten rule which says people need an alderman’s approval for new projects, even permits. She told WBBM that, given all the other problems the City must confront, Chicago doesn't need 50 Caesars whose rings must be kissed before someone can get basic City services. That is wrong, she said, and it must be changed.
"Aldermanic prerogative is a gatekeeper for whether or not you get quality access to public services or get (them) all," Lightfoot said. A number of past aldermen—and even current alderman Ed Burke— have been accused to using that power for their own self-interest. Lightfoot said intends to push head on for change, government transparency and other good government proposals, even as she confronts what she says is the number one priority—crime.