Who Runs This Town? A Brief History of Chicago Mayors
So, you wanna know who's been bossing Chicago around all these years? Buckle up, 'cause we're about to dive into a whirlwind tour of the Windy City's leadership. Let's get this show on the road!
The Good Old Days (or Not)
Back in the day, when Chicago was still a twinkle in a settler's eye, there were some mayors who probably thought being in charge of a small town was a big deal. Guys like William B. Ogden and Augustus Garrett, who probably spent most of their time wondering where to put the outhouse. We're not judging, pioneer life was tough.
The Daley Dynasty
Then came the Daleys. Richard J. and his son, Richard M. – think of them as the Kennedys of Chicago politics, but with less charisma and more concrete. Together, they ruled the city for a combined 44 years. Some say they were the architects of modern Chicago, others say they were more like the contractors who left a mess to clean up. Either way, they were a force to be reckoned with.
The Outsiders and the In-Betweeners
After the Daleys, Chicago saw a bit of a shake-up. Harold Washington, the city's first African American mayor, brought a fresh perspective, but his term was tragically cut short. Then there was Jane Byrne, the first female mayor, who had the unenviable task of following in Washington's footsteps. And let's not forget Rahm Emanuel, the former White House Chief of Staff who brought a certain... energy to the job.
The Current Climate
As of this writing, we've got Brandon Johnson at the helm. Only time will tell if he'll be remembered as a great mayor or just another name on the list. But hey, at least he's got a cool name.
So, who's your favorite mayor? Is it the iron-fisted Daley era, the groundbreaking terms of Washington and Byrne, or the more recent administrations? Let us know in the comments!
How to... Chicago Mayor Trivia
- How to impress your friends with Chicago mayor trivia: Mention that Carter Harrison Jr. was the first mayor born in Chicago.
- How to avoid getting into a heated political debate: Change the subject to deep dish pizza.
- How to become mayor of Chicago: Probably start by winning the lottery, then figure out the rest.
- How to survive a Chicago winter: Layer up, drink hot chocolate, and dream of warmer days.
- How to find out who the current mayor is: Check Google. Or, you know, look out the window.