Book Richard M. Daley

Richard M. Daley is an American political leader who led Chicago as its 54th mayor from 1989 to 2011. Elected in 1989 and returned to office five more times before choosing not to seek a seventh term, he held the job for 22 years, the longest run in the city's history, topping the tenure of his father, Richard J. Daley. Raised in the Bridgeport neighborhood on Chicago's South Side, he began his career in the Illinois State Senate in 1972 and became Cook County State's Attorney in 1980. As mayor he took control of the Chicago Public Schools, championed tourism, oversaw the creation of Millennium Park, pushed environmental initiatives and presided over rapid growth downtown and in surrounding neighborhoods. He extended city employee benefits to partners regardless of gender and was an outspoken voice for gun control. His honors include the Golden Plate Award, the Officer's Cross and later the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, induction into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2006, the Newberry Library Award in 2007 and the Chandler Robbins Award in 2008. Daley brings unmatched big-city leadership experience.