Editorial: Lightfoot can bridge city and suburb divide

Chicago Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot stood before the Illinois House on Wednesday to declare that Illinoisans, wherever they live and whatever their political differences, have much more in common than the issues that divide them.

"Illinoisans ... all want the same thing for themselves and their families," she said. " ... safe communities; access to good schools; stable and well-paying jobs; affordable homes; quality health care; and a government that is ethical and acts as a responsible steward of our tax dollars."

There's nothing to argue with in that statement. Of course, the political divisions and resentments that separate north from south in Illinois will not disappear with a speech or two to state legislators.

And while networking with leaders from central and southern Illinois is an earnest and valuable thing to do, Lightfoot also has a group of leaders at her doorstep who are eager to engage with her and make a connection - suburban mayors and managers.

Lightfoot's job, of course, is Chicago. But in becoming mayor of the nation's third-largest city her influence over the entire region is unmatched. The suburbs are intertwined tightly with each other - like a perpetual circle dance that moves in tighter to Chicago on some issues and backs away on others - but the bottom line is we are a region with similar goals, problems and interests.

Richard M. Daley fundamentally understood that, when he created the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus in 1997, an organization that brings together leaders from the region's 275 cities and villages in quarterly meetings and bimonthly committees.

It remains a thriving organization and it's a good vehicle for Lightfoot to understand the suburban perspective on any number of regional issues and ideas that get discussed, like transportation, utilities, pensions, airport noise or (a few years ago) the ash borer. Daley made a point of showing up - whether it was to engage with suburban mayors or control them; probably a little of both - but he understood the importance of working with and having relationships with, suburban leaders.

"When Illinois thrives, Chicago thrives," Lightfoot told the House. "And the reverse is also true."

Lightfoot certainly sounds like she understands her responsibilities don't stop at Harlem or Devon avenues.

By engaging, in earnest, with the suburbs, she will be helping Chicago as well. And when that happens, we all win.