Introduction to Man on Five
From his office on the fifth floor of City Hall, Daley was a hands-on mayor who reveled in his work and celebrated his city. He responded to the countless letters and memoranda that landed on his desk each day. He created and monitored the city's vast budget and oversaw dozens of the city departments and programs that made the city function. Dignitaries, aldermen, commissioners, and other public servants made the trip to the fifth floor to pay their respects, plead their cases, and report on their successes and failures. A short elevator ride brought the mayor to the city council chambers, where he presided over a largely supportive group of aldermen.
According to former aide, Thomas Donovan, Daley's extensive experience in politics and administration served Chicago well:
[Daley] was in the general assembly. He was the minority leader in the senate. He was the Director of Revenue for the State of Illinois. He was the Cook County Clerk. Then he was the Mayor of Chicago. Whatever it took to make things happen in the government, he knew how to make it happen. He was the one who created the structure for the City of Chicago.
Thomas Donovan, Administrative Assistant to Mayor Richard J. Daley
See Richard J. Daley take the oath of office and give his first inauguration speech:
