Chicago's first openly gay, female, African-American mayor arrives in office with another first: an openly gay first lady. That's Amy Eshleman, who is married to Chicago Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot. And she's had a bigger effect on the city's cultural landscape than you might think.
Eshleman, 57, is a learning specialist who spent 18 years at the Chicago Public Library, where she helped create and develop key programs such as One Book, One Chicago and YOUMedia, the library's interactive digital learning space for teens. Both Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa have credited YOUMedia with helping them launch their music careers.
Eshleman joined CPL in March 1994 and eventually was named assistant commissioner of strategic planning and partnerships under former CPL Commissioner Mary Dempsey. Lightfoot and Eshleman apparently met through Dempsey: In 2005, Lightfoot became deputy chief of the city's Procurement Department under Dempsey. Lightfoot and Eshleman got married on the day same-sex marriage became legal in Illinois. Eshleman now works as an independent learning consultant, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Eshleman grew up in Sterling Illinois, and attended Sterling High School, where she was a star basketball player and a member of the National Honor Society. She holds an undergraduate degree in history from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, and is a trustee at Steppenwolf Theatre. Eshleman declined an interview with Crain's through a representative for the transition.
Throughout the campaign, Eshleman appeared in public with Lightfoot, as did their 10-year-old daughter, Vivian. Their openness as a married gay couple had three effects on the campaign, says Brian Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois, a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to LGBTQ rights. For one group, "it was very minimal," Johnson says. "It didn't impact their decision."
On the other end of the spectrum, it got ugly. In late March, anti-gay flyers appeared on cars in the parking lots of Bronzeville churches. The flyers showed a photo of Lightfoot and Eshleman embracing. And during a March 7 debate, Preckwinkle praised Lightfoot for being so open about her "sexual orientation." Lightfoot shot back, calling the comment a "dog whistle" to anti-gay voters.
For the LGBTQ community overall, the couple's openness served as a positive catalyst to drum up support for Lightfoot. "It was a major, major piece," Johnson says. "Thirty to 35 years ago, our bars were still being raided," he says. "Now we're represented in City Hall by the mayor. That's a pretty profound switch."
Lightfoot will be sworn in as Chicago's mayor on May 20. Will Eshleman follow Amy Rule's example and be visible, but highly private? What causes will she champion? Given her work experience, literacy and education are sure bets. We'll find out, soon enough.
