Mayor of Chicago

Mayor of Chicago. The Mayor of Chicago is the chief executive of the City of Chicago, the third-largest city in the United States, leading the city's executive branch and presiding over the Chicago City Council. The office was established upon the city's incorporation in 1837, with William B. Ogden serving as the first mayor. The mayor is responsible for the administration of city government, appointing department heads, proposing the annual budget, and enforcing all city ordinances and state laws within Chicago.

History

The office was created with the city's first charter in 1837, a period of rapid growth fueled by its position on Lake Michigan and as a hub for the Illinois and Michigan Canal. Early mayors like Long John Wentworth and John P. Hopkins governed during eras defined by the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. The 20th century saw the rise of powerful political machines, most notably under Richard J. Daley, whose tenure from 1955 to 1976 shaped modern Chicago through massive infrastructure projects and urban renewal. The late 20th and early 21st centuries featured the city's first female mayor, Jane Byrne, its first African American mayor, Harold Washington, and the prolonged leadership of Richard M. Daley, who oversaw transformative downtown development. Recent mayors have grappled with issues of police reform, fiscal challenges, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Election and succession

The mayor is elected in a nonpartisan municipal election held every four years, coinciding with other local elections in Cook County. If no candidate receives a majority of votes, a runoff election, or general election, is held between the top two finishers. Candidates must be qualified electors of Chicago and have resided in the city for at least one year prior to the election. In the event of a vacancy due to death, resignation, or removal, the vice mayor, a position held by a member of the Chicago City Council, serves as acting mayor until a special election can be held, as outlined in the Illinois Municipal Code.

Powers and duties

The mayor, operating from Chicago City Hall, possesses strong executive powers under Chicago's strong-mayor system. Key duties include submitting an annual budget ordinance to the Chicago City Council, appointing the heads of all city departments—such as the Police Superintendent and the Fire Commissioner—and members of various boards and commissions, including the Chicago Board of Education and the Chicago Transit Authority. The mayor can veto legislation passed by the Chicago City Council, though a two-thirds council majority can override it. The mayor also serves as the city's chief diplomat, representing Chicago in dealings with entities like the State of Illinois, the Federal government of the United States, and global cities.

List of mayors

Chicago has had 57 mayors since its incorporation. The longest-serving was Richard J. Daley, with 21 years in office across six terms. Other notable mayors include Carter Harrison Sr., who served five non-consecutive terms before his assassination in 1893; reformer Edward Joseph Kelly; and Anton Cermak, whose death from an assassination attempt in 1933 led to the succession of Frank J. Corr. The first mayor born in the 20th century was Michael A. Bilandic, and the 21st century has seen mayors Rahm Emanuel, Lori Lightfoot, and the current mayor, Brandon Johnson, who took office in 2023.

See also

* Government of Chicago * Politics of Illinois * Cook County, Illinois * History of Chicago * Chicago City Council

Category:Mayors of Chicago Category:Government of Chicago Category:Illinois government officials