img: [Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago, circa 1989. Richard M. Daley papers, University of Illinois at Chicago Library, RMD16_06_0002_0011_008.]

Richard M. Daley became Chicago's mayor in the wake of the racial divisions, loss of faith, and new global economy that had become so evident in the 1980s.

The son of Richard J. Daley (mayor, 1955-1976), Richard M. had long served the public. He was a delegate to the Illinois Constitutional Convention (1970), an Illinois state senator (1973-1980), and state's attorney for Cook County (1981-1989). He had sought the Democratic nomination for mayor in 1983, but lost to Harold Washington in that election.

Scenes from Richard M. Daley's political career before he became mayor:

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.]

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.]

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]

 

When he announced for mayor in 1988, Daley said, "it's time for a new beginning in Chicago":

The name-calling and politics at City Hall are keeping us from tackling the real issues.
It’s time we stop fighting each other, and start working together.

Read the speech in which Richard M. Daley announced his candidacy for mayor on December 5, 1988.
Daley's campaign "Agenda" addressed globalization. He promised to stem the loss of manufacturing jobs, secure new ones, and help Chicago adapt to new economic trends.

Chicago can make up for the shift in business trends by taking the forefront in the fight for new jobs in growing fields like finance and health care. Chicago cannot afford to focus on only one economic sector, ignoring the growth industries of the 1990s.

img:[Richard M. Daley shakes hands at a 47th Ward mayoral election campaign event, 1989. Photo: Sandy Bertog. Richard J. Daley collection, University of Illinois at Chicago Library, RJD_04_01_0038_0004_001.]

Daley won the election and took the oath of office on April 24, 1989. Over the next 22 years, he tried to balance the needs of Chicagoans with his vision for meeting the challenges of globalization.

Listen to Mayor Daley’s first inauguration speech, as reported by Bob Crawford of WBBM Chicago: