Richard M Daley - History of Chicago Politics
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Richard M Daley
Forty-Fifth Mayor of the City of Chicago (1989-present)
Born April 24, 1942, Richard M. Daley would have a lot to live up to in Chicago politics, with him father, Richard J. Daley, reigning supreme over the City for 21 years. Yet, Richard M. has filled his father’s shoes, and more.
Elected Illinois State Senator in 1972, Richard M. would go on to lead the Democratic 11th ward after his father’s death on Dec. 20, 1976.1 When Jane Byrne took over as Mayor, she declared war on the State Senator, determined to keep him from going anywhere. Despite this, Daley would defeat Byrne’s chosen candidate for Cook County State’s Attorney in the 1979 primary. In the general election he would defeat incumbent Republican Bernard Carey for the position.2
Daley would first attempt to regain his father’s throne in 1983, running in the Democratic primary. The three way race saw Daley go against Byrne and Harold Washington, with Washington getting the nomination.3 This defeat would teach him a great deal and lead him to be completely prepared to run again in 1989. Daley carefully built a multiethnic coalition and campaigned on the foundation that the voters were sick of racial politics.4 The Daley machine was smooth and huge.
With the fierce infighting that had been going on between the Democrats, Daley promised calm and stability. He resisted the urge to attack his opponents, which was enough to win him the primary in February 1989.5 In the general election he defeated Timothy Evans of the Harold Washington Party, carrying 55% of the vote. Ever since then, no one has been able to stand a chance against Daley. While this race was to see who could finish out Washington’s term, Daley would win a full four year term in 1991.6
Similar to his father, Daley was very action oriented - cutting city payrolls and patronage, pushing administrative reform, and privatizing some public works, all while focusing on economic growth and job expansion.7 Among his successes of this period was the redevelopment of Navy Pier and expansion of McCormick Place. He was not without failure, however, as he saw his plans for a new airport and a land casino go up in flames.
In 1995, Daley won reelection with 56% of the vote, won again in 1999 with 72%, again in 2003 with 79%, and still again in 2007.8
Green, Paul M. “Richard M. Daley and the Politics of Addition.” The Mayors - The Chicago Political Tradition. 3rd ed. Ed. Paul M. Green, Melvin G. Holli. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 2005. Pg. 262
Green, 263
Green, 260
Holli, Melvin G. “The Daley Era: Richard J. to Richard M.” The Mayors - The Chicago Political Tradition. 3rd ed. Ed. Paul M. Green, Melvin G. Holli. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 2005. Pg. 227
Holli, 228