Voting Station

Richard J. Daley

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Mayor

The Resume

    (May 15, 1902-December 20, 1976)
    Mayor of Chicago from 1955-1976
    AKA 'The Last Boss,' 'Da Mayor' and 'American Pharaoh'

Why he might be annoying:

    His nepotism is legendary.
    There were a large number of riots while he was in office.
    It was widely rumored that he helped instigate a race riot as a teenager on Chicago's South Side.
    Under his supervision, Chicago's notorious public housing program was constructed.
    Dead people voted for him (corrupt elections).
    He called his wife, 'Sis.'
    The Democratic Party blamed him for thier loss of the 1968 Presidential Election, because of the Chicago Police Department beating Vietnam War protesters in the streets during the National Convention.
    While being questioned on the Police Department's actions, he made the statement, 'The policeman isn't there to create disorder, the policeman is there to preserve disorder.'
    He forbade the filming of TV shows and movies in Chicago during his tenure unless the production went out of its way to make the city look good.
    He then allowed 'The Bob Newhart Show' to film its opening sequence on Michigan Avenue, simply because Bob Newhart is from Chicago.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was elected Mayor six times, serving 5 full terms, and dying in office a year into his sixth term.
    He truly loved being Mayor of Chicago.
    He was a devout Catholic, consistently attending church on Sunday.
    He remained married to his wife, Eleanor, for 40 years until his death.
    He was extremely proud of his Irish heritage.
    Even though his public housing system eventually collapsed, it put many slumlords out of business and gave poor residents running water, heat, and indoor plumbing for the first time.
    Although accused of being racist, there is a telephone recording of him talking to JFK, promising him the Senate votes from Illinois for the Civil Rights Bill of 1963, and he delivered.
    When asked about corruption in his city council, he stated: 'Look at our Lord's disciples. One denied Him; one doubted Him; one betrayed Him. If our Lord couldn't have perfection, how are you going to have it in city government?'
    His son, Richard M. Daley, followed in his footsteps and was elected Mayor of Chicago.

Credit: Melonhead


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 12 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 13 Votes: 92.31% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 16 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 36 Votes: 52.78% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 25 Votes: 52.00% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 23 Votes: 56.52% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 19 Votes: 57.89% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 57 Votes: 42.11% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 31 Votes: 61.29% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 24 Votes: 83.33% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 85 Votes: 67.06% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 88 Votes: 68.18% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 80 Votes: 68.75% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 57 Votes: 75.44% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 90 Votes: 74.44% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 113 Votes: 65.49% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 266 Votes: 49.62% Annoying