Excerpts from abc7chicago.com:

The Chicago Fire Department’s first female Black commissioner was approved by the city council Wednesday morning after Mayor Lori  Lightfoot nominated Annette Nance-Holt last month at a graduation ceremony for the latest class of CFD paramedics. She has been a trailblazer with the Chicago Fire Department during her three-decade career.

It would be yet another barrier-busting achievement for Nance-Holt, who has overcome personal tragedy to reach the top spot in the Chicago Fire Department. In 2018, she became the first Black female deputy commissioner as part of her 30-year career. She entered the department four years after the first women joined the ranks. 

She will take over a department with a history of racism and sexism. Last month, she welcomed 42 new members to the department, including 13 women and 15 minorities.