Johnson follows
a line of colorful, consequential mayors
Many believe Harold Washington, Chicago's first Black mayor, paved the way for Brandon Johnson to reach the fifth floor of city hall. But both charted distinct paths to becoming mayor of Chicago. In the 40 years since Washington won election, three others — Richard M. Daley, Rahm Emanuel and Lori Lightfoot — have served as Chicago's top elected official, bringing their own unique political skills and personalities to the job. Here's a look at Chicago mayors, from Washington to Johnson.
Brandon
Johnson
"We're not talking about mob actions. We have to be careful when we use language to describe certain behavior. There's a history in this city, and, I mean, to refer to children as like baby Al Capones is not appropriate."
Brandon johnson
By Greg Hinz and Cassandra West
Lori
Lightfoot
Rahm
Emanuel
Richard M.
Daley
Harold Washington
(2023)
Once said
— During an Aug. 2 news conference several days after police arrested several dozen youth who had fought and stormed a convenience store near West Roosevelt Road and South Canal Street
Firing Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady and naming his pick for the next Chicago Police superintendent, Chief Larry Snelling.
Key Decisions
Though still too early to tell, the general consensus would be: evolving, cautious, methodical. Johnson would say "collaborative."
Governing Style
South and West sides. North Side progressives. Labor unions.
Center of gravity/support
Getty Images
Bloomberg
John R. Boehm for Crain's Chicago Business
She originally was elected as a reformer, with broad support around the city, including the North Side lakefront. That support steadily slipped away during her tenure, leaving her mostly with elements of organized labor.
Center of gravity/support
Described as "hypersensitive and thin-skinned," a litigator by trade who couldn't figure out when to turn it off. But passionate in what she believes.
Governing Style
Signed an executive order to strip aldermen of their control over licensing and permitting powers in their wards. Shook up City Council power structure, demoting former Ald. Ed Burke to the back bench.
Key Decisions
— On radio station 107.5 (WGCI-FM), several days after her 2019 inauguration
"The people in the city don't want me to focus on the nonsense, they want me to get shit done."
Once said
(2019-2023)
Lori Lightfoot
So far, so good. But it's early, with most big decisions yet to come, like how to balance the city budget while paying for new spending, and what type of stadium offer to put on the table in hopes of keeping the Bears in town.
Relationship with City Council
Rocky at best.
Relationship with city Council
Bloomberg
Solid. Emanuel had his problems, but not with aldermen.
Relationship with City Council
Mostly North and Northwest sides, Emanuel's old congressional district. But his service as former President Barack Obama's chief of staff gave him a huge entry into Black neighborhoods.
Center of gravity/support
Fast and very direct. Emanuel was careful to keep good relations with aldermen, but not with community groups and progressive unions, especially after Laquan McDonald's death. Was quick to announce big development programs, but not as good on follow-up.
Governing Style
The 2013 closing of 50 Chicago Public Schools. The hiring of former executive Mark Angelson as deputy mayor, who became the prototype for a new sort of City Hall outreach to corporate Chicago.
Key Decisions
— Apologizing during an address on police accountability for the 2014 fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald by a Chicago police officer
"I am the mayor. As I said the other day, I own it. I take responsibility for what happened because it happened on my watch. If we're going to fix it, I want you to understand it's my responsibility with you. But if we're also going to begin the healing process, the first step in that journey is my step. And I'm sorry."
Once said
(2011-2019)
RaHm Emanuel
Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum
He led, they followed. But usually willingly.
Relationship with city Council
Deep and wide. After the divisions of the "Council Wars" era, Chicagoans were looking for a unifier. It helped that the city's economy boomed during most of his tenure, but he left the city with huge debts, especially unfunded pensions.
Center of gravity/support
Toward the end of his record-long tenure, Daley's style became more autocratic. But at the beginning of his tenure, he was considered a bit of a reformer who knew how to listen and recruit top, diverse City Hall talent. Also a micromanager known for keeping a list of potholes and bad sidewalks that needed repairs as he drove around the city.
Governing Style
The 1995 decision to assume control of the Chicago Public Schools system. The midnight bulldozing of Meigs Field. Leasing the city's public street parking meters to a private company for $1.15 billion in an agreement that doesn't expire until 2084.
Key Decisions
— On March 31, 2003, defending a decision to bulldoze Meigs Field in the middle of the night and wondering why Disney World had a no-fly zone before downtown Chicago.
"Scrutiny? What else do you want? Do you want to take my shorts? Give me a break. How much scrutiny do you want to have? Go scrutinize yourself!"
Once said
(1989-2011)
Richard M. Daley
Chicago History Museum, Antonio Perez, photographer
Strained at first; Washington couldn't even get an infrastructure program for sidewalks and street paving through. That changed after he won a council majority mid-term, but he died early in his second term.
Relationship with City Council
Overwhelming backing from the Black community, combined with a crucial slide of the North Side lakefront and Latino progressives.
Center of gravity/support
Amiable, but firm.
Governing Style
At the beginning of his tenure, he was unable to work out an armistice with foes, especially the "Vrdolyak 29" in the City Council. But Washington finally gained some power after electing allies to fill council vacancies mid-term.
Key Decisions
— After defeating the fabled Chicago Democratic machine by winning election as mayor of the city in 1983.
"We have destroyed the dinosaur."
Once said
(1983-1987)
Harold Washington
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Contributed by Judith Crown
Note: Only mayors who served full terms are included. Chicago had two other mayors between Washington and Johnson, Eugene Sawyer (1987-1989) and David Orr (1987-1987).
