#1 Boss Richard J. Daley
Welcome to my very first newsletter!
Loyal readers, my promise to you is that we’ll only discuss 2 things each week. Hopefully at least one of them speaks to you. My goal is to spark new ideas, connections, and conversation - just reply to this email and we can dialogue!
One: I’m engaged!
On June 20, I proposed to my best friend, Dr. Molly. I picked the time/date of the proposal based on the summer solstice. She has brightened the past 731 days, and it is an absolute joy to feel as if I have found my b’shert.
No, we have not set a wedding date.
Two: I’ve been studying Chicago’s past to try to understand its future. I intend this to be a multi-part investigation on the City’s power brokers, past and present. Of course, our very own Robert Moses has been…
Richard J. Daley, pictured at the White House with President John F. Kennedy (JFK)
After finishing two books on Mayor Daley, Mike Royko’s “Boss” and Adam Cohen’s & Elizabeth Taylor’s “American Pharaoh,” I’ve been thinking about how much power and influence the City of Chicago used to wield in US politics. Specifically, The State of Illinois, from 1904 to 1980, had roughly as many electoral college votes as Florida at present. Between 1932-1968, Chicago hosted ten (!) Republican and Democratic Conventions combined. Illinois served as the tipping-point state in several Presidential elections, though, contrary to popular belief, it was not key to J.F.K.’s victory in 1960.
Mayor Daley’s consolidation of Chicago’s political machine positioned him as kingmaker in the Democratic Party. Control over the Party enabled Mayor Daley to get lavish proposals through Congress. Rampant graft ensued. Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon — yes, Democrats & Republicans alike! — were eager to use Federal money to support Daley’s & his friends' ideas, including an ambitious public housing plan. These projects (likely) contributed to inequality, social unrest, and, ultimately, gang violence. Problems that remain part of the City's fabric in 2020.
How did Daley operate? Though he did not personally enrich himself, Da Maya allowed his political allies to treat the City as their ATM. After twenty years in office, the Feds (finally) won several, significant convictions against Daley's operatives. The most significant involved Daley’s city council chief, Thomas Keane.
After being found guilty at trial on 17 counts of mail fraud for insider land deals and property tax breaks, Keane remarked:
"Daley wanted power, and I wanted to make money, and we both succeeded."
Thanks for reading! If you're hungry for more Richard J. Daley content, I’ll take you on a tour of Mayor Daley’s neighborhood, Bridgeport, next week.
Be kind to each other.
Ari
P.S. Professionally, I’m excited to join my friends’ start up, Chapter.
What is Chapter? It’s a platform to help seniors address complicated decisions as they age. Our first tool provides the most personalized and delightful Medicare education and enrollment experience. Check us out!
In the meantime, tell your friends!