Millennium City: Richard M. Daley & Global Chicago

Public Servant

By 1989, Richard M. Daley already had a long record of public service.

Like his father Richard J. Daley (Chicago mayor, 1955-1976), Richard M. haled from Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood and worked as Democratic committeeman for the 11th ward, which served Bridgeport (1976-1980).

Mary Carol Vanecko, Daley's sister, remembers the importance of her brother's roots in Bridgeport:






img: [Illinois State Senator Richard M. Daley (center) stands with his father, Mayor Richard J. Daley, to his left and Alderman Michael Bilandic to his right on a boat on Lake Michigan during a Chicago Park District fish derby, circa 1972-1976. Photo: Laszlo Kondor. Laszlo Kondor Photograph collection, University of Illinois at Chicago Library, MSLASZ13_0003_0004_039.]

Daley's electoral debut came in 1969, when he won election as delegate to the Illinois Constitutional Convention (1969-1970). In 1972, Daley was elected state senator, and he served in that position from 1973 to 1980.

Frank Kruesi, longtime friend and former aide, remembers their time as roommates while Daley was state senator:

In 1980, Daley ran for state's attorney of Cook County:
Img: [Flyer promotes Richard M. Daley for Cook County State's Attorney, 1980. Richard M. Daley papers, University of Illinois at Chicago Library, EXH_RMD16_06_0002_0001_013.]

William Daley explains how his brother won the state's attorney election in 1980:


In 1983, Daley sought the Democratic nomination for mayor, but lost to Harold Washington.



Img: [Poster promotes Richard M. Daley for mayor of Chicago, 1983. Richard M. Daley papers, University of Illinois at Chicago Library, EXH_RMD16_06_0004_0004_001]

After the defeat in 1983, Daley continued serving as state's attorney until 1988.

John and Michael Daley remember their brother's management of the state's attorney's office:



clip: [RMDOH_01_daley_michael_20190508_001540_001638_StatesAttorney]

 

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