Richard M. Daley

Richard M. Daley
Born	(1942-04-24) April 24, 1942 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation	Politician
Years active	1969–2011
Known for	54th Mayor of Chicago (1989–2011)

Richard Michael Daley (born April 24, 1942) is an American political figure who held the office of the 54th mayor of Chicago, Illinois, from 1989 until 2011. First elected in 1989 and subsequently reelected five times, Daley's 22-year administration is the longest in the city's history, surpassing that of his father, Richard J. Daley.

During his mayoralty, Daley assumed authority over the Chicago Public Schools, championed tourism growth, managed the development of Millennium Park, enhanced environmental programs, and facilitated rapid urban renewal in downtown Chicago and nearby communities. He also broadened benefits for municipal employees to include partners irrespective of gender and was an advocate for stricter gun control measures.

Daley encountered allegations regarding city contracts that appeared to favor relatives, acquaintances, and political supporters disproportionately. While he inherited consistent budget surpluses annually, he left office with substantial structural deficits—the largest ever recorded in Chicago. As a prominent proponent of privatization at the national level, he addressed budget gaps by leasing and selling public assets to private entities, a strategy that reduced future revenue streams and contributed to near financial insolvency by the conclusion of his term. Known for a rigorous stance on crime, Daley launched one of the country’s most extensive police surveillance networks through Operation Virtual Shield, although concerns about police brutality remained prevalent throughout his governance.

Early and personal life

Richard M. Daley is the eldest son among seven siblings born to Richard J. and Eleanor Daley, who assumed the roles of Mayor and First Lady of Chicago beginning in 1955. Born on April 24, 1942, he was raised in Bridgeport, a historically Irish-American district on Chicago’s South Side. His brothers include William M. Daley, who served as White House Chief of Staff and United States Secretary of Commerce under President Bill Clinton; John P. Daley, a member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and chairperson of its Finance Committee; and Michael Daley, an attorney at Daley & Georges specializing in zoning law frequently retained by developers seeking zoning modifications. Richard M. Daley was married to Margaret "Maggie" Corbett until her passing in 2011 following a decade-long battle with metastatic breast cancer. The Chicago Loop’s Maggie Daley Park honors her memory, while her nonprofit organization, After School Matters, continues to support youth initiatives in Chicago. The couple had four children: Nora, Patrick, Elizabeth, and Kevin—the latter died at age two due to complications related to spina bifida. Raised in the Roman Catholic faith, Daley completed his secondary education at De La Salle Institute before obtaining a bachelor's degree from DePaul University in 1964 after transferring from Providence College in Rhode Island. At age 19 in 1962, he was cited for running a stop sign; the Chicago Sun-Times remarked on this incident with "Mayor's Son Gets Ticket, Uses No Clout," emphasizing his lack of influence.

Conflicting information exists regarding Daley’s military background: one biography omits any mention; a 1995 profile indicated service in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1961 to 1967, whereas a 1996 article cited years of service as 1960–1964. A Marine family website found no evidence confirming this service.

Daley earned his Juris Doctor degree from DePaul University, successfully passing the Illinois Bar Examination on his third attempt. However, he never engaged in courtroom litigation.

Early political involvement

Daley's initial political role was as a delegate to the 1969 Illinois Constitutional Convention, responsible for drafting the current Constitution of Illinois, which was ratified following a special election in 1970. In June 1972, he led a faction aligned with his father's Democratic Party stalwarts against reformers supporting McGovern in Illinois' Fifth Congressional District. Despite this effort, reformers, including Rev. Jesse Jackson, ultimately supplanted Daley's group at the Democratic National Convention.

After his father's passing in 1976, Daley took over as the 11th Ward Democratic committeeman, a position he held until 1980 when his brother John P. Daley assumed the role. Since then, the Daley family has maintained control of this key party position for more than sixty years.

Service in the Illinois State Senate (1972–1980)

Backed by the Democratic establishment, Daley secured election to the Illinois Senate in 1972 and served until 1980. He kept a low profile publicly, seldom engaging with journalists and avoiding news conferences for six years. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he exercised considerable authority but faced criticism; Chicago Magazine included him among Illinois' ten worst legislators due to perceived arrogance and political maneuvering. His dominance over fellow lawmakers earned him a reputation as a powerful yet polarizing figure. Democrat Dawn Clark Netsch accused him of blocking reform initiatives during the 1975 legislative session.

Tenure as Cook County State's Attorney (1981–1989)

In 1980, Daley contested the Cook County State's Attorney position against incumbent Republican Bernard Carey. Although Democratic Mayor Jane Byrne endorsed Alderman Edward M. Burke in the primary and then Carey in the general election, Daley narrowly triumphed by approximately sixteen thousand votes, marking one of the closest races for this office in Cook County history. He held this position from 1981 through 1989.

Reports of police torture presented to Daley, 1982

In February 1982, Andrew Wilson was apprehended for allegedly killing two Chicago police officers and was interrogated by Detective Jon Burge. Dr. John Raba, Medical Director at Cermak Health Services, examined Wilson and documented numerous injuries consistent with torture methods such as bruises, burns, and electric shocks. Raba submitted these findings in a written report to Chicago Police Superintendent Richard J. Brzeczek, who passed them on to State's Attorney Daley.

Daley did not respond to these allegations, and no charges were filed against the officers involved. Under Daley’s prosecution, Andrew Wilson and his brother Jackie were convicted of murder; Andrew Wilson received a death sentence. However, in 1987, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned their convictions after determining that Wilson’s confession had been coerced through police brutality.

Initial mayoral bid: 1983 challenge against Jane Byrne

In November 1982, Daley declared his first campaign for mayor. The Democratic primary featured incumbent Mayor Jane Byrne, once a protégé of his father, alongside Congressman Harold Washington. The three candidates engaged in four televised debates. Daley finished in third place. Numerous allies of Richard J. Daley accused Richard M. of dividing the white vote, which contributed to Washington becoming Chicago’s first African American mayor.

1989 Mayoral Campaign: Defeating Eugene Sawyer

Following Mayor Washington's passing in November 1987, Alderman Eugene Sawyer was appointed as interim mayor until a special election took place in 1989. In December 1988, Daley declared his intention to run, focusing on enhancing government efficiency and fostering unity. His campaign team featured key figures such as fundraiser Rahm Emanuel, strategist David Axelrod, chief strategist William M. Daley, and aide Forrest Claypool.

Daley’s campaign encountered controversy due to comments perceived as racially insensitive, resulting in condemnation from watchdog group CONDUCT, whereas Sawyer received praise for distancing himself from such remarks. Daley triumphed over Sawyer in the primary election. In the general election held on April 4, 1989, Daley competed against Republican Edward Vrdolyak and Harold Washington Party candidate Timothy C. Evans. He secured victory and was sworn in as mayor on April 24—his 47th birthday—at Orchestra Hall.

Initial Term (1989–1991)

Compared to his father’s era, Daley governed with a City Council that was markedly more cooperative. Early in his administration, he centralized the authority over contract approvals, a power previously exercised by individual aldermen. His 1990 fiscal plan outlined expenditures of $3 billion—an increase of $50 million from the previous year—while proposing a $25 million reduction in property taxes. The budget also maintained a hiring freeze, introduced recycling initiatives, and moved toward privatizing the city’s tow truck operations. Notably, Daley became the first Chicago mayor to lead the city’s Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade in 1989. Confronting escalating violence, he acknowledged public anxiety regarding drive-by shootings in 1990. During this period, Amnesty International issued a report accusing Chicago police of engaging in torture between 1972 and 1984, which prompted demands for further inquiry.

Second Term (1991–1995)

Daley was reelected on April 2, 1991, securing 70.7% of the vote against civil rights attorney and Appellate Judge R. Eugene Pincham. In addressing the city's growing homicide rate that September, Daley stated, "The more killing and homicides you have, the more havoc it prevents."

A 1994 expert assessment ranked Daley among the top ten mayors in Chicago’s history, acknowledging his substantial political influence and leadership capabilities.

Incident at Daley Family Residence in Michigan

In early March 1992, while Daley and his wife were away, their 16-year-old son Patrick hosted an unauthorized gathering at their Grand Beach, Michigan home. The party escalated into a racially charged confrontation involving Filipino and white teenagers. The altercation resulted in severe injury when a juvenile wielded a baseball bat against another attendee. During the disturbance, Patrick provided a shotgun to a cousin. Afterward, Daley publicly expressed his disappointment and concern for the injured individual.

Patrick admitted guilt to misdemeanor offenses including supplying alcohol to minors and disturbing the peace; he received six months probation, community service obligations, fines totaling $1,950, and restitution for damages caused. His cousin was fined $1,235 related to firearm charges. Additionally, sixteen other youths faced either juvenile or adult legal actions; the injured party eventually made a full recovery.

Third term (1995–1999)

Joseph E. Gardner challenged Daley but was unsuccessful.

In 1995, Daley assumed authority over the Chicago Public Schools system by appointing Paul Vallas as its head. After Vallas departed to pursue a gubernatorial campaign, Daley selected the then lesser-known Arne Duncan, who would later serve as U.S. Secretary of Education under President Barack Obama, to oversee the district. On March 19, 1997, the Chicago City Council passed the Domestic Partners Ordinance, which extended benefits to same-sex partners of City employees—a measure Daley endorsed on grounds of equity.

Resignation of Daley's City Council floor leader

The first significant public corruption issue during Daley's tenure surfaced with the October 1997 resignation of his City Council floor leader, Alderman Patrick Huels. A lifelong Bridgeport resident and fellow De La Salle Institute graduate alongside Daley and his father, Huels had advanced through municipal roles before succeeding Alderman Michael Bilandic at just 26 years old. As chair of the council’s Transportation Committee and Daley’s floor leader, Huels played a key role in pushing ethics reforms in 1997 amid a series of aldermanic indictments.

Huels was co-owner of SDI Security, Inc., a company employing around 390 people and generating approximately $7 million in revenue during the mid-1990s. Alongside Alderman Edward M. Burke, chairman of the Council Finance Committee, Huels approved $633,971 in legal consulting payments to attorney Michael A. Pedicone, an officer at SDI. Meanwhile, the IRS filed liens exceeding $1.3 million against SDI for unpaid payroll taxes from 1995 to 1996.

Michael Tadin, a close ally of both Huels and Daley from Bridgeport, grew Marina Cartage from a fleet of 20 trucks to 150 over fifteen years. Between 1992 and 1997, Marina Cartage and affiliated firms received $49 million in city contracts for snow removal and heavy equipment services. Tadin profited by purchasing land at low cost before leasing or selling it back to the city. Since 1992, Marina Cartage utilized security services provided by SDI.

In 1995, with Huels’ backing, the City Council approved a tax cut that halved assessments on Marina Cartage’s $4.5 million headquarters located in Huels’ ward, resulting in annual savings up to $80,000. The following year, the council granted $1.1 million directly for construction of the facility. Shortly thereafter, Tadin established a company that arranged a $1.25 million bailout loan for SDI.

Daley affirmed that Huels "did the right thing by resigning" and claimed ignorance regarding Huels’ business activities: "I don’t involve myself in individuals’ private affairs." He introduced an executive order alongside ethics legislation designed to eliminate conflicts of interest in municipal contracting:

The purpose of this executive order is to address concerns about favoritism in city contracts by preventing conflicts of interest or even their appearance. ... There must be equal opportunity... no individual should gain or lose out on city contracts simply due to personal connections with me or any government official. ... The public should have full access to information about every city contract: who is involved, who benefits, and whether pricing is fair. I and all other city officials must be ready to justify every contract based on its merits.

Fourth term (1999–2003)

On February 23, 1999, Daley was reelected for a fourth term, capturing 68.9% of the vote against U.S. Congressman Bobby Rush. That year, Amnesty International’s U.S. branch issued reports condemning instances of police brutality in Chicago and other cities, calling for federal intervention and prosecution of officers involved in misconduct. The documentation raised issues such as improper interrogation methods, excessive use of force, shootings involving unarmed individuals, and the treatment of children in custody.

Soon after Daley began his fourth term, the Duff family launched Windy City Maintenance Inc., a company providing janitorial services. Allegations surfaced claiming Daley had recommended awarding city contracts to Duff family businesses through ties with Kathy Osterman, who was then heading the Mayor's Office of Special Events. While Daley denied directing contracts, he promised to "look into" the accusations. In September 2003, a federal probe led to indictments against Patricia Green Duff, her sons John M. Duff and James Duff, along with others, for fraudulently obtaining nearly $100 million in municipal contracts by misrepresenting their companies as women- and minority-owned. John M. Duff admitted guilt to 33 counts of racketeering and fraud in January 2004.

An Illinois law enacted in 1978 granted the Mayor authority to appoint replacements for vacant City Council seats without holding special elections. By 2002, more than one-third of Chicago’s 50 aldermen had been appointed by Daley, further strengthening his influence over the council. Between January 2000 and June 2001, only 13 council votes were split—averaging fewer than one divided vote per month—with 32 aldermen supporting Daley between 90% and 100% of the time and an additional 14 backing him between 80% and 89%. This dynamic effectively rendered the City Council a compliant body aligned with Daley’s administration.

Fifth term (2003–2007)

Daley won his fifth term on February 26, 2003, with a commanding 78.5% of the vote over challenger Reverend Paul Jakes Jr. He openly endorsed same-sex marriage, expressing in February 2004 his acceptance of Cook County issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. In April 2005, Time magazine recognized Daley as the top mayor among five major U.S. cities, emphasizing his "imperial" leadership style and significant influence.

In May 2006, the United Nations Committee Against Torture criticized the Chicago Police Department for inadequate investigations into torture claims and urged comprehensive and unbiased inquiries. That year also saw Daley inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame as a Friend of the Community.

Demolition order for Meigs Field by Daley

A city-state agreement obligated Chicago to maintain Meigs Field, a small general aviation airport located on Northerly Island, until 2011 or else transfer ownership to the state. On September 12, 1996, the City Council approved Daley’s proposal to transform the airport into parkland, prompting state plans to assume control. Following his re-election in 2003, Daley directed the airport’s demolition. In an overnight operation on March 30, 2003, city crews—accompanied by police—dug six large X-shaped craters into the runway without notifying aldermen, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, the Federal Aviation Administration, or the Department of Homeland Security. Initially, this action stranded aircraft on-site; however, many later managed to depart using taxiways.

Daley defended his decision by citing security concerns related to Chicago’s skyline and landmarks such as the Willis Tower and John Hancock Center, asserting that bypassing drawn-out procedures was necessary. He criticized the FAA for focusing airspace restrictions elsewhere rather than prioritizing Chicago. Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn described this event as "the defining moment of Richard Daley's 22 years in office." Columnist John Kass remarked that Daley acted simply "because he wanted to, because he could." An editorial from the Chicago Tribune condemned Daley’s autocratic approach that disregarded legal challenges and negotiation efforts.

The FAA imposed a $33,000 fine on Chicago for failing to provide a mandatory 30-day notice before closing Meigs Field and required repayment of $1 million in federal grants. Daley justified his actions by stating that Meigs was effectively abandoned despite ongoing use by Chicago Fire Department helicopters and private planes at that time.

Hired Truck Program controversy

The Hired Truck program, costing the city $40 million annually, became the most significant scandal during Daley's initial 15 years as mayor. This initiative contracted private trucking firms for municipal tasks. A six-month investigation by the Chicago Sun-Times in 2004 uncovered that some companies received payments for minimal or no actual work, had links to organized crime, maintained connections with city employees, or paid bribes to participate. From 1996 through 2004, these firms donated over $800,000 to political figures, including Daley himself, House Speaker Michael Madigan, and Governor Rod Blagojevich; Daley personally accepted at least $108,575, while his brother John Daley and his ward organization garnered more than $47,500.

Mark Gyrion, Daley’s second cousin and superintendent of garages within the Water Management Department, oversaw decisions regarding when city trucks should be retired. His mother-in-law’s company, Jacz Transportation, earned approximately $1 million through the program between 1998 and 2004. Notably, Jacz purchased a truck just three days after the city sold it to a dealership and then leased it back to the city. Gyrion neglected to disclose this conflict of interest and was subsequently dismissed. Jacz Transportation was among thirteen companies suspended from participation; in total, roughly 35% of the seventy firms involved were either suspended or referred to the city's Inspector General. The program underwent significant reform in 2004 and was completely discontinued by 2005.

Convictions of Daley’s patronage chief and associates

On July 5, 2006, Robert Sorich, who directed the Mayor's Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and acted as Daley's unofficial patronage chief, along with his aide Timothy McCarthy, were found guilty on two counts of mail fraud connected to manipulating hiring and promotions for blue-collar city positions. Patrick Slattery, a former Streets and Sanitation official closely linked to Sorich, was convicted on one count of mail fraud. Additionally, a former deputy commissioner in Streets and Sanitation was convicted of providing false statements to federal agents regarding political hiring practices. Sorich, McCarthy, and Slattery all lived in Bridgeport’s 11th Ward—the political stronghold of the Daley family. Mayor Daley expressed sympathy for them, stating he had "never known them to be anything but hard working," though he later admitted he should have exercised stricter oversight to ensure hiring processes were merit-based and properly administered. Shortly thereafter, David Axelrod, a political consultant advising Daley, published an op-ed in the Chicago Tribune defending patronage systems.

Concealment of city contracts by Daley’s son

Patrick R. Daley, Mayor Daley’s son and then-MBA candidate at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, profited from two ventures under Cardinal Growth that sought city contracts while hiding his involvement. In June 2003, Patrick partnered with his cousin Robert G. Vanecko to establish MSS Investors LLC in Delaware, each investing $65,000. MSS Investors acquired a 5% ownership stake in Municipal Sewer Services, a Cardinal Growth-affiliated company. Both Patrick and Vanecko failed to disclose their ownership interests as required by municipal ethics regulations.

Municipal Sewer Services collaborated with Brunt Brothers Transfer Inc., a prominent black-owned contractor within the Hired Truck program, to bid on sewer-inspection contracts issued by the city. Within five months of their ownership acquisition, Municipal Sewer Services received a contract extension worth $3 million from the city; this was followed by a no-bid extension lasting an additional 23 months valued at $4 million. Amid federal scrutiny into the Hired Truck program approximately one year later, Patrick and Vanecko divested their shares and received a tax distribution payment of $13,114 in December 2004. At that time aged 29 and recently graduated with an MBA, Patrick enlisted in the United States Army.

After the Chicago Sun-Times revealed Patrick’s undisclosed role in these ventures, Mayor Daley stated he was unaware of his son’s participation and described it as a "lapse in judgment." Investigations by both the city's Inspector General and federal authorities commenced in December 2007. Patrick and Vanecko engaged criminal defense counsel during these inquiries. Municipal Sewer Services LLC ceased operations in April 2008. In January 2011, Anthony Duffy (president of Municipal Sewer Services) and Jesse Brunt (of Brunt Brothers Transfer Inc.) faced mail fraud charges related to minority contracting; however, Patrick and Vanecko were not indicted.

In 2005, Concourse Communications—another Cardinal Growth entity—secured a municipal contract for providing Wi-Fi services at O'Hare and Midway airports. The Daley administration consistently asserted that Patrick held no financial interest; nevertheless, he arranged investors for Concourse. Nine months after awarding the contract, Concourse was sold to Boingo Wireless Inc. for $45 million—a transaction yielding a 33% profit margin. Between June 2006 and December 2007, Patrick received five payments totaling $708,999. Despite this evidence of financial gain linked to the Wi-Fi contract, Mayor Daley’s press secretary denied any financial involvement by Patrick. The Chicago Sun-Times editorialized that this represented a clear conflict of interest.

Controversy Surrounding Park Grill Contract

In 2003, a company managed by more than 80 investors, among them acquaintances and neighbors of Mayor Daley, secured a contentious agreement to run the Park Grill, the only dining establishment within Millennium Park. By 2005, Daley publicly criticized this arrangement and attempted to revise the contract terms. The Chicago Sun-Times dubbed the Park Grill the "Clout Cafe," featuring the contract award in its year-end summary of scandals linked to the Daley administration in 2005. Despite these efforts, the contract remained unchanged. After Daley declared he would not pursue a seventh term, the Park Grill proprietors moved forward with plans to sell. During Mayor Rahm Emanuel's tenure in 2013, amid a lawsuit aimed at renegotiating this contract, former Mayor Daley was deposed and responded with "I don't recall" on 139 occasions.

Long-Term Leasing of Public Assets

In January 2006, the City entered into a groundbreaking agreement when Skyway Concession Company, a partnership between Australia's Macquarie Infrastructure Group and Spain's Cintra Concesiones de Infraestructuras de Transporte S.A., paid $1.83 billion for a 99-year lease to manage the Chicago Skyway toll road—the first transaction of its kind in the United States. Later that year, Morgan Stanley secured a similar 99-year lease for Chicago's parking garages at $563 million. Subsequently, in December 2008, Chicago leased its parking meter system for $1.16 billion. These deals represented pioneering steps in privatizing American public infrastructure.

Reflecting on these initiatives in 2009, former Mayor Daley stated, "I'm the one who started talking about leasing public assets. No other city has done this in America." Nonetheless, Pulitzer Prize-winning commentator George F. Will warned that Daley’s strategy—exchanging long-term income streams for immediate capital—depends heavily on governments managing sudden influxes of funds wisely, which is not assured.

Sixth Term (2007–2011)

On February 6, 2008, the Chicago City Council sanctioned an increase in the real estate transfer tax to support funding for the Chicago Transit Authority; Daley was outspoken against aldermen who opposed this measure. By March 15, 2010, Daley had appointed two aldermen within a single day, bringing his total appointments to nineteen.

Additional Long-Term Leases of Public Infrastructure

In September 2008, Chicago accepted a $2.52 billion offer from private investors for a 99-year lease of Midway International Airport; however, this agreement fell through due to the financial crisis of that year. Facing budgetary shortfalls, Chicago agreed later in 2008 to lease its parking meter system for 75 years to an operator backed by Morgan Stanley for $1.16 billion. Daley portrayed this arrangement as advantageous for taxpayers, generating over $1 billion in net proceeds amid economic challenges. However, parking fees quadrupled during the first year under this lease while paid parking hours and days were extended. Additionally, the city consented to reimburse the operator for any revenue lost due to meter closures. Even with substantial upfront funds, revenues from this lease were nearly depleted within three years.

Unsuccessful Olympic Bid

In 2007, Daley negotiated decade-long agreements with city labor unions to prevent strikes as Chicago pursued the 2016 Summer Olympics hosting opportunity. Throughout 2009, he actively highlighted the potential economic advantages for both the city and business community, considering the games a pinnacle achievement in his career. Nevertheless, on October 2, 2009, Chicago became the first finalist eliminated during the selection process held in Copenhagen. A 2011 review by the city's Office of the Inspector General revealed that these extended union contracts limited city management flexibility for several years beyond Daley’s administration.

Firearm Regulation

Daley championed rigorous handgun restrictions, declaring in 1998 that handguns should be exclusive to law enforcement, although he acknowledged this stance was unrealistic. He was a member of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition, co-led by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. In 2006, together with Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Daley advocated for a statewide prohibition on semi-automatic assault weapons, stressing the importance of removing dangerous firearms from public areas.

The landmark US Supreme Court case McDonald v. Chicago challenged Chicago’s handgun prohibition. In May 2010, Daley defended the city’s gun control policies but ignited controversy after making a threatening comment toward a reporter questioning their effectiveness. This remark drew widespread condemnation and was regarded as one of his most regrettable public statements.

On June 28, 2010, the Supreme Court issued a narrow 5–4 decision in McDonald v. Chicago, affirming that the Second Amendment safeguards individual gun ownership rights against local bans, thereby invalidating Chicago's handgun restrictions. In response, Daley committed to introducing new firearm regulations targeting assault weapons and stricter oversight of gun retailers, emphasizing enforcement over broad gun ownership rights.

Soon after, the city council unanimously passed updated gun control legislation requiring city-issued firearms licenses.

Daley’s Budget Deficits and Use of Reserves

Daley began his tenure managing revenue-generating assets, sustainable debt levels, and well-funded pension plans but departed leaving behind a structural deficit estimated by Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel at $1.2 billion once underfunded pension fund obligations were accounted for. Under Daley’s administration, expenses regularly outpaced revenues by hundreds of millions each year. In August 2010, Fitch Ratings downgraded Chicago's bond credit rating, citing reliance on reserve funds for routine operating expenses, pension shortfalls, escalating fixed costs, and absence of new revenue initiatives. Analysts observed that reserve fund drawdowns started as early as 2006, before the onset of the Great Recession. Despite economic downturns, annual budgets exceeded $6 billion, with combined pension deficits pushing yearly gaps above $1 billion. In January 2011, Moody's Investors Service lowered the outlook on revenue bonds tied to the $15 billion O'Hare Modernization Program due to deferred debt payments.

In his October 15, 2008 budget speech, Daley proposed a $5.97 billion budget for 2009 that included maintaining 1,350 vacant positions from a workforce of 38,000 employees and generating $150 million in new revenue through leasing parking meters to address a $469 million deficit. The administration employed over 50 in-house public relations staff costing $4.7 million annually and spent additional millions on seven external PR firms—expenses questioned by aldermen during budget discussions. Following criticism, spending was halted on ten PR contracts with potential costs reaching up to $5 million each.

Daley’s October 21, 2009 budget forecasted a $520 million deficit for that year and proposed a $6.14 billion budget for 2010 that included allocating $370 million from $1.15 billion in parking meter lease proceeds. His October 13, 2010 address predicted an unprecedented $655 million shortfall for 2010. For 2011, Daley suggested a $6.15 billion budget utilizing nearly all remaining parking meter lease revenues (with only $76 million left), which received strong backing from aldermen.

Daley opts out of seventh term bid

By late 2009, Daley's approval ratings had dropped to an unprecedented low of 35%. On September 7, 2010, he declared he would not pursue a seventh term, explaining, "I have always believed that individuals, particularly those in public office, need to recognize when it is time to step aside. For me, that moment has arrived." On December 26, 2010, Daley became Chicago's longest-serving mayor, surpassing his father's record. He presided over his final city council session on May 11, 2011; his mayoral tenure concluded on May 16, 2011, with Rahm Emanuel succeeding him.

Approval ratings

Registered voters Market Shares Corp. commissioned by Chicago Tribune May13–18,1993 style="background:#006800; color:white"|66% 29% 399 ±3 Telephone Likely voters Market Shares Corp. and Chicago Tribune February9–11,1991 style="background:#006800; color:white"|75% 20% 600 ±4 Telephone Likely voters Market Shares Corp. and Chicago Tribune January11–14,1991 style="background:#006800; color:white"|80% 16% 600 ±4 Telephone Adults Market Shares Corp. and Chicago Tribune October24–25,1989 style="background:#006800; color:white"|68% 14% 500 ±4 Telephone

Group surveyed	Source of poll	Date conducted	Approval	Disapproval	Number surveyed	Margin of error	Methodology
Registered voters	Market Shares Corp. (commissioned by Chicago Tribune/WGN-TV)	August 27–31, 2009	35%	47%	300	±5
	Chicago Tribune	July 2009	37%	47%
	Bennett, Petts & Normington (commissioned by SEIU Illinois State Council)	March 23–25, 2009	50%			±4.3	Telephone
		2007	41%
Registered voters	Market Shares Corp. (commissioned by Chicago Tribune/WGN-TV)	February 10–13, 2006	56%	33%	700	±4
	Chicago Tribune	November 2005	61%
Registered voters	Market Shares Corp. (commissioned by Chicago Tribune/WGN-TV)	May16–18,2005	53%	33%	700	±4
Registered voters	Market Shares Corp. (commissioned by Chicago Tribune/WGN-TV)	January31–February3,2003	72%	16%	700	±4	Telephone
		1999	79%
Southtown Economist December1990 style="background:#006800; color:white"|61%
Chicago Sun-Times November1990 style="background:#006800; color:white"|58%

Legacy

Daley enjoyed support from Chicago’s traditional Republican business sector. However, he was criticized for focusing development efforts primarily on the downtown area and select neighborhoods while overlooking others, particularly those with lower incomes. As noted by Chicago Tribune columnist Steve Chapman, Daley retained backing in part through outreach to African American communities via appointments, public service initiatives, reforms in public housing, and education policies favoring minority populations. He redirected Chicago’s economic emphasis away from manufacturing toward tourism enhancement, increasing park spaces and beautifying streetscapes, including creating Millennium Park on a former railway site. Daley was instrumental in transforming Navy Pier into a prominent tourist destination and was an advocate for immigration reform and sustainable building practices—earning a 2009 Honor Award from the National Building Museum recognizing his leadership in sustainability. Throughout his administration, Chicago managed to avoid the severe economic declines that affected other Great Lakes cities such as Detroit and Cleveland.

Post-mayoral career

Soon after concluding his tenure as mayor, the University of Chicago named Daley a "distinguished senior fellow" at the Harris School of Public Policy, a part-time appointment spanning five years that included overseeing a guest lecture series. Within weeks, he became affiliated with the international law firm Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, which had secured no-bid contracts from the city during his administration, notably the contentious long-term leases involving Chicago's parking meters, parking structures, and the Chicago Skyway. Additionally, Daley joined the Harry Walker Agency, a prestigious speakers bureau that compensates tens of thousands of dollars per engagement.

Between 2011 and 2019, Daley held a position on the board of directors for The Coca-Cola Company. He also acts as a managing principal at Tur Partners LLC, an investment firm where his son Patrick Daley serves as a principal as well. In 2013, The National Law Journal listed him among "The 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America," highlighting his significant political influence within Chicago. In 2022, his daughter Nora assumed the role of chair for the Illinois Arts Council.

In June 2022, Daley was admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago due to a neurological condition.

Recognition

Daley was honored in 1999 with the Lifetime Stewardship Award from the Arbor Day Foundation.

In 2002, he received the American Academy of Achievement’s Golden Plate Award, presented by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt. He also served as host for the 2004 International Achievement Summit held in Chicago.

In 2017, Daley was bestowed with the ULI Chicago Lifetime Achievement Award.

See also

• Electoral history of Richard M. Daley
• Timeline of Chicago, 1980s–2010s

Further reading

• Scholarly biography.

External links

• Mayor Daley's Mark—photo gallery by The New York Times
• Mayor Richard M. Daley archive at the Chicago Reader
• Daley archive at Chicagoist
• Mayor Daley Backgrounder: Our Best Stories About Richard M. Daley archive at Chicago Magazine
• Richard M. Daley biography at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
• Bob Crawford Audio Archive
• Richard M. Daley at the Harry Walker Agency
• Richard Michael Daley archive at the Chicago Public Library, including inaugural speeches
• Richard M. Daley materials in the South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA)
• Tur Partners LLC investment firm where Daley and son Patrick hold principal roles
• Photo gallery: Mayor Richard M. Daley at the Chicago Tribune