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Richard J. Daley
Richard J. Daley (born May 15, 1902, Chicago,Illinois, U.S.—died December 20, 1976, Chicago) was themayor ofChicago from 1955 until his death in 1976; he was reelected every fourth year through 1975. Daley was called “the last of the big-citybosses” because of his tight control of Chicago politics through widespread job patronage. He attainedgreat power in nationalDemocratic Party politics.
Admitted to the Illinois bar in 1933, Daley served as a state representative and senator (1936–46), state director of revenue (1948–50), and clerk of Cook County (1950–55) before being elected mayor. During his mayoralty he gained the confidence of the businesscommunity through large-scaleurban renewal and highway construction projects and through a sweeping reform of the police department.
- In full:
- Richard Joseph Daley
- Died:
- December 20, 1976,Chicago (aged 74)
- Title / Office:
- mayor (1955-1976),Chicago
- Political Affiliation:
- Democratic Party
- Notable Family Members:
- sonRichard M. Daley
Daley’s administration was criticized, however, for its reluctance to checkracial segregation in housing and in the public schools, for its encouragement of the construction of tall office buildings in the downtown area, and for its measures taken against demonstrators during theDemocratic National Convention in 1968. His last years were marred by scandals centred on members of his administration, though none of these touched Daley himself. Daley’s eldest son,Richard M. Daley, was mayor of Chicago from 1989 to 2011.