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SUCCESS: Lori Lightfoot (Photo credit: Lori Lightfoot Instagram)

LORI LIGHTFOOT has become the first black, openly gay mayor of Chicago, following a historic campaign that saw two black women lead in the city’s mayoral election.

Lightfoot — a former federal prosecutor who has worked in police oversight — defeated Cook County Board president and county Democratic Party leader Toni Preckwinkle.

According to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, with more than 70 percent of precincts reporting, Lightfoot had won 74 percent of the vote.

Celebrating her win with her supporters, Lightfoot said: "Thank you, Chicago. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."

"In this election, Toni and I were competitors, but our differences were nothing compared to what we can achieve together. Now that it's over, I know we'll work together for the city we both love," she said. "Today, you did more than make history. You created a movement for change."

During her speech, Lightfoot pledged to fight corruption and that Chicago's neighbourhoods would be invested in each other and "we will grow together."

"We can and we will break this city's cycle of corruption," she said. "We will not let politicians profit from their positions. We can and we will remake Chicago."

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