Lightfoot bears brunt of criticism at mayoral candidate forum on issues affecting disabled Chicagoans

Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas (left) and Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who are both running for mayor of Chicago, share a laugh during the Disability Mayoral Candidates’ Forum Saturday, where seven Chicago mayoral candidates shared their plans to make the city more accessible to people experiencing disabilities at Access Living in the River North neighborhood. (Pat Nabong/Sun-Times)

A newly narrowed crowd of mayoral candidates sat together for the first time Saturday afternoon for a conversation on issues affecting the city’s disabled community.

Seven candidates — community activist Ja’Mal Green; Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson; state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago; former CEO of Chicago Public Schools Paul Vallas; Ald. Sophia King (4th); U.S. Rep. Chuy Garcia, D-Ill.; and incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot — were seated in a row at a long table for the mostly cordial debate at the Access Living forum in River North.