Introduction to Chicago in 1989
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In 1989, when Richard M. Daley became mayor, Chicago faced a number of problems. The “council wars” of that decade had drawn attention to and exacerbated bitter racial divisions. A growing number of Chicagoans had begun to lose faith in the city’s ability to provide basic services and ensure access to education, police protection, and affordable housing. And the economy was changing, too. Well-paying manufacturing jobs were disappearing, and residents worried whether Chicago would adapt.
Valerie Jarrett, Chicago Planning Commissioner (1991-1995) summarizes the challenges facing Chicago when Daley took office: