Lori Lightfoot, who served as Mayor of Chicago from 2019 to 2023, is facing a lawsuit from J.P. Morgan Chase over an unpaid MileagePlus United credit card balance totaling $11,078.01. The lawsuit alleges that Lightfoot has not made any payments on the card since August 2024. The former mayor has been a cardholder for 20 years, but her failure to settle the debt has now led to legal action.

Since losing re-election, Lightfoot has been working at consulting firm Charles River Associates and has held positions at prestigious institutions such as the University of Michigan, Harvard, and the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics. She was reportedly served with the lawsuit at her home in October 2024, after the debt remained unresolved.

This lawsuit places Lightfoot among a long list of celebrities and public figures who have faced legal consequences for unpaid credit card bills. Notably, American Express sued rapper Bhad Bhabie for over $674,000 earlier this year. Other notable celebrities such as Armie Hammer, Lil Wayne, and Ray J have also been targeted by credit card companies for similar reasons.

Lightfoot’s personal financial troubles come amid her controversial tenure as mayor, where her handling of city finances, as well as incidents like the “haircut hypocrisy” during the COVID-19 lockdown, attracted public criticism. She famously defended her decision to get a haircut during the stay-at-home order by stating that, as the “public face of the city,” it was necessary.

Her financial struggles reflect a broader pattern of poor financial management, not just in personal matters but also in public office. For instance, some critics pointed to her difficulties in managing the city’s budget and her tendency to restrict interviews to specific racial groups during her time in office.

In the world of credit cards, Lightfoot’s troubles are not unique. Politicians and celebrities across the spectrum have struggled with debt, with high-profile cases like former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker paying exorbitant interest rates on his credit cards rather than settling balances.

As Lightfoot faces the legal consequences of her credit card debt, it serves as a reminder of the importance of financial responsibility, even for public figures.