No matter who wins the runoff election, Chicago will elect its first black woman mayor | CNN

CNN Lori Lightfoot and Toni Preckwinkle have emerged from a crowded field of candidates to move on to a runoff in Chicago’s mayoral race, meaning the Windy City will elect its first black woman mayor in city history this spring.

Lightfoot had won 17.48% of the vote and Preckwinkle had 15.96% with 95% of precincts reporting, according to the Board of Election Commissioners for Chicago.

The two will meet in a runoff set for April 2, according to CNN affiliate WBBM. The winner will replace Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who decided against running for re-election.

Lightfoot, a former assistant US Attorney, describes herself as “an out and proud black lesbian” and has made reforming the police department a bedrock of her campaign.