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Mayor of Chicago
BrandonJohnsonRallyPhotoLeft.jpg
Incumbent
Brandon Johnson

since May 15, 2023
Government of Chicago
Style
  • His Honor
  • The Honorable
Term length 4 years
Inaugural holder William B. Ogden
Formation 1837
Salary $216,210

The mayor of Chicago is the main leader of the city government in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago is the third-largest city in the United States. The mayor's job is to run different city departments and make sure the city's rules are followed. They also suggest new ideas to the Chicago City Council and create the city's yearly budget. The mayor also chooses people to lead city departments and join city committees.

When the City Council meets, the mayor leads the meeting. The mayor usually cannot vote on issues. However, they can vote if there is a tie. The role of mayor was created when Chicago became a city in 1837.

History of Chicago's Mayors

William B Ogden by GPA Healy, 1855
William B. Ogden was Chicago's first mayor.
Secretary Kerry Departs Chicago Mayor Emanuel's Office After Their Meeting (30500010211)
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry leaving the mayor's office in 2016.

The first mayor of Chicago was William B. Ogden, who served from 1837 to 1838. Since then, 46 men and two women have held the job. The two women mayors were Jane Byrne (1979–1983) and Lori Lightfoot (2019–2023).

Interestingly, two father-and-son pairs have been mayors. They are Carter Harrison III and Carter Harrison IV, and Richard J. Daley and Richard M. Daley. Carter Harrison IV was the first mayor born in Chicago.

David Duvall Orr was an interim mayor for only one week in 1987. This was the shortest time anyone has held the office. Richard M. Daley was elected six times. He served for 22 years, becoming Chicago's longest-serving mayor. He even served longer than his father, who was mayor for 21 years.

The first Irish Catholic mayor was John Patrick Hopkins (1893–1895). Rahm Emanuel (2011–2019) is the only Jewish American to have been mayor.

Harold Washington (1983–1987) was the first African American mayor. Lori Lightfoot was the first African American woman mayor. She was also the first openly LGBT mayor. Brandon Johnson (2023–present) is the fourth African American mayor. Eugene Sawyer was chosen by the council to be mayor after Harold Washington passed away.

Mayor's Power to Appoint Leaders

The mayor chooses the leaders for many important city departments. This includes the commissioner of the Chicago Fire Department and the superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. They also appoint leaders for departments like Water Management and Streets & Sanitation.

The mayor also picks members for the boards of several important city groups. These include the City Colleges of Chicago, Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Library, Chicago Housing Authority, and Chicago Transit Authority. The mayor also appoints the leaders of the Chicago Public Schools.

The Chicago City Clerk, City Treasurer of Chicago, and the 50 alderpersons (who are like city council members) are elected by the public. However, if any of these positions become empty, the mayor can choose someone to fill the spot. If the mayor's office becomes empty, the City Council chooses one of its members to be the acting mayor.

Chicago's government is set up as a "weak-mayor" system. This means the City Council usually has most of the power. But in reality, Chicago's mayor has always been one of the most powerful city leaders in the country. Unlike other "weak-mayor" systems, Chicago's mayor gets to create the city's budget. The mayor's office is sometimes called "the fifth floor" because it is located on the fifth floor of Chicago City Hall. This name shows how much power the mayor has.

How Mayors Are Elected and Replaced

Chicago's mayor is elected by the people every four years. The election happens on the last Tuesday in February. If no candidate gets more than half of the votes, a second election (called a run-off) is held on the first Tuesday in April. These elections are non-partisan, meaning candidates do not run as members of a political party. Chicago is the largest city in the U.S. that does not limit how many terms a mayor can serve.

If the mayor's office becomes empty, or if the mayor cannot serve due to illness, the City Council chooses a vice mayor to be the temporary mayor. This temporary mayor serves until the City Council picks one of its members to be the acting mayor, or until the mayor's term ends.

However, if the mayor's office becomes empty with more than 28 months left in the term, and at least 130 days before the next city election, a special election is held. This special election chooses a new mayor to finish the rest of the term. If there are fewer than 28 months left, or fewer than 130 days before the next election, the acting mayor serves until the term ends.

These rules for replacing a mayor were made clearer after Richard J. Daley passed away while in office. They were used again when Harold Washington passed away, and Vice Mayor David Orr became acting mayor. Before these rules, the laws were unclear.

If the mayor is not at a City Council meeting, the president pro tempore (a council member chosen by the council) leads the meeting. Unlike the mayor, the president pro tempore can vote on all issues. If neither the mayor nor the president pro tempore can lead, the vice mayor steps in.

List of Chicago Mayors

Joseph Medill
Joseph Medill (#26) was the first foreign-born mayor.
John Patrick Hopkins
John Patrick Hopkins (#35) was the youngest and first Catholic mayor.
William Hale Thompson head shot
William Hale Thompson (#41) was Chicago's last Republican mayor.
JaneByrne1985 (a)
Jane Byrne (#50) was the first female mayor.
Washington h
Harold Washington (#51) was the first African American mayor.
Richard M. Daley (4655925743 aacdba6297 n) (cropped)
Richard M. Daley (#54) was the longest-serving mayor (22 years).
Lori Ligfhtfoot at signing of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (FEQycLjWYAITszv)
Lori Lightfoot (#56) was the first African American female and first openly gay female mayor of Chicago.

Before 1837, Chicago was a town led by town presidents. Since 1837, it has been a city led by mayors.

The mayor's term was one year from 1837 to 1863. Then it changed to two years. In 1907, it changed again to four years.

#No. Image Name Term start Term end Terms Years   Party
Town presidents
1 Thomas Jefferson Vance Owen August 12, 1833 August 11, 1834 1 1 None
2
John H Kinzie c1850s.png
John H. Kinzie 1834 May 1837 3 3 years Whig
Mayors
1
William B Ogden by GPA Healy, 1855.jpg
William B. Ogden May 1837 March 1838 1 10 months Democratic
2
Buckner Morris (1).jpg
Buckner S. Morris 1838 1839 1 1 Whig
3
BWRaymond.jpg
Benjamin W. Raymond 1839 1840 1 1 Whig
4
Alexanderloyd.jpg
Alexander Loyd March 9, 1840 March 4, 1841 1 1 Democratic
5
Francis-sherman.jpg
Francis C. Sherman March 4, 1841 March 7, 1842 1 1 Democratic
6
BWRaymond.jpg
Benjamin W. Raymond March 7, 1842 March 7, 1843 1 1 Whig
7
Augustusgarrett.jpeg
Augustus Garrett March 7, 1843 April 2, 1844 1 1 year,

1 month

Democratic
8
Alsonsherman.jpeg
Alson Sherman April 2, 1844 March 10, 1845 1 11 months Independent Democratic
9
Augustusgarrett.jpeg
Augustus Garrett March 10, 1845 March 3, 1846 1 1 Democratic
10
Johnchapin.jpeg
John P. Chapin March 3, 1846 March 9, 1847 1 1 Whig
11
Jamescurtis.jpeg
James Curtiss March 9, 1847 March 14, 1848 1 1 Democratic
12
Jameswoodworth.jpeg
James H. Woodworth March 14, 1848 March 12, 1850 2 2 Independent Democratic
13
Jamescurtis.jpeg
James Curtiss March 12, 1850 March 11, 1851 1 1 Democratic
14
WalterSGurneeSenorAnderson (a).png
Walter S. Gurnee March 11, 1851 March 7, 1853 2 2 Democratic
15
Charlesgray.jpeg
Charles McNeill Gray March 7, 1853 March 15, 1854 1 1 Democratic
16
Isaac-milliken (1).jpg
Isaac L. Milliken March 15, 1854 March 13, 1855 1 1 Democratic
17
Leviboone.jpeg
Levi Boone March 13, 1855 March 11, 1856 1 1 American
(Know Nothing)
18
Thomas-dyer (1).jpg
Thomas Dyer March 11, 1856 March 10, 1857 1 1 Democratic
19
John Wentworth of Chicago.jpeg
John Wentworth March 10, 1857 March 2, 1858 1 1 Republican
20
Johnhaines.jpg
John C. Haines March 2, 1858 March 22, 1860 2 2 Republican
21
John Wentworth of Chicago.jpeg
John Wentworth March 22, 1860 May 6, 1861 1 1 year,

1.5 months

Democratic
22
Julianrumsey.jpeg
Julian S. Rumsey May 6, 1861 May 5, 1862 1 1 Republican
23
Francis-sherman.jpg
Francis C. Sherman May 5, 1862 May 3, 1865 2 3 Democratic
24
JBrice.jpg
John B. Rice May 3, 1865 December 6, 1869 2 4 years,

6 months

Republican
25
Roswell-mason.jpg
Roswell B. Mason December 6, 1869 December 4, 1871 1 2 Citizens
26
Joseph Medill.jpg
Joseph Medill December 4, 1871 August 22, 1873 1 2 Republican (Dry)
--
Lester Legrand Bond.jpg
Lester L. Bond
(acting)
August 22, 1873 December 1, 1873 -- 3 months Republican
27
HarveyColvin(ChicagoMayor).jpg
Harvey Doolittle Colvin December 1, 1873 July 24, 1876 1 2 years,

8 months

Republican (Wet)
28
Monroe Heath.jpg
Monroe Heath July 24, 1876 April 28, 1879 2 2 years,

7 months

Republican
29
Carter Harrison, Sr. - Brady-Handy.jpg
Carter Harrison III April 28, 1879 April 18, 1887 4 8 Democratic
30
John Roche.jpg
John A. Roche April 18, 1887 April 15, 1889 1 2 Republican
31
DeWitt Clinton Cregier old portrait.jpg
DeWitt C. Cregier April 15, 1889 April 27, 1891 1 2 Democratic
32
Hempstead Washburne.jpg
Hempstead Washburne April 27, 1891 April 17, 1893 1 2 Republican
33
Carter Harrison, Sr. - Brady-Handy.jpg
Carter Harrison III April 17, 1893 October 28, 1893 1 6 months Democratic
34
George Bell Swift, Mayor of Chicago.jpg
George Bell Swift
(interim mayor)
November 9, 1893 December 27, 1893 112 16 Republican
35
John Patrick Hopkins.jpg
John P. Hopkins December 27, 1893 April 8, 1895 1 1 year,

4 months

Democratic
36
George Bell Swift, Mayor of Chicago.jpg
George Bell Swift April 8, 1895 April 15, 1897 1 2 Republican
37
Carter Henry Harrison cph.3c23214.jpg
Carter Harrison IV April 15, 1897 April 10, 1905 4 8 Democratic
38
Portrait of Edward Fitzsimmons Dunne.jpg
Edward F. Dunne April 10, 1905 April 15, 1907 1 2 Democratic
39
Fred Busse.png
Fred A. Busse April 15, 1907 April 17, 1911 1 4 Republican
40
Carter Henry Harrison cph.3c23214.jpg
Carter Harrison IV April 17, 1911 April 26, 1915 1 4 Democratic
41
William Hale Thompson head shot.tif
William H. Thompson April 26, 1915 April 16, 1923 2 8 Republican
42
William Emmett Dever 1923.jpg
William E. Dever April 16, 1923 April 18, 1927 1 4 Democratic
43
William Hale Thompson head shot.tif
William H. Thompson April 18, 1927 April 9, 1931 1 4 Republican
44
Anton Cermak cph.3b27410.jpg
Anton Cermak April 9, 1931 March 6, 1933 1 1 year,

11 months

Democratic
45 Frank J. Corr (Chicago Mayor) (1).jpg Frank J. Corr
(acting mayor)
March 15, 1933 April 8, 1933 -- 24 days Democratic
46
EdwardJKelly.jpg
Edward J. Kelly April 17, 1933 April 15, 1947 3 112 14 Democratic
47
Martin H. Kennelly 72-599 (1).jpg
Martin H. Kennelly April 15, 1947 April 20, 1955 2 8 Democratic
48
Richard J. Daley in 1962.jpg
Richard J. Daley April 20, 1955 December 20, 1976 6 21 years,

8 months

Democratic
49
Judge Michael A. Bilandic.png
Michael A. Bilandic December 20, 1976 April 16, 1979 1 2 years,

4 months

Democratic
50
JaneByrne1985 (a).jpg
Jane Byrne April 16, 1979 April 29, 1983 1 4 Democratic
51
Washington h.jpg
Harold Washington April 29, 1983 November 25, 1987 2 4 years,

7 months

Democratic
52
David Orr on Live from the Heartland July 23 2012 (1).png
David Orr
(acting mayor)
November 25, 1987 December 2, 1987 -- 7 days Democratic
53
Eugene Sawyer (2041465864 2bc2900d9a m).jpg
Eugene Sawyer December 2, 1987 April 24, 1989 1 1 year,

4.5 months

Democratic
54
RMDaleyCropped (a).png
Richard M. Daley April 24, 1989 May 16, 2011 6

(5 elected)

22 years,

1 month

Democratic1
55
Rahm Emanuel, official photo portrait color.jpg
Rahm Emanuel May 16, 2011 May 20, 2019 2 8 Democratic1
56
Lori Ligfhtfoot at signing of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (FEQycLjWYAITszv).jpg
Lori Lightfoot May 20, 2019 May 15, 2023 1 4 Democratic1
57
Brandon Johnson with Byron Sigcho-Lopez (cropped).jpg
Brandon Johnson May 15, 2023 incumbent 1 Democratic1

Died/murdered in office.
1 Since 1999, mayoral elections have officially been nonpartisan. A 1995 Illinois law stated that "candidates for mayor ... no longer would run under party labels in Chicago". However, Richard M. Daley, Rahm Emanuel, Lori Lightfoot, and Brandon Johnson are known to be Democrats.

Role of the Vice Mayor

Vice mayor of Chicago
Walter Burnett Jr. 2015.jpg
Incumbent
Walter Burnett

since May 15, 2023
Inaugural holder Casey Laskowski
Formation 1976
Salary $0

Illinois law says that the City Council chooses a vice mayor. This person steps in as temporary mayor if the mayor's office is empty. They also serve if the mayor cannot do their job due to illness or injury. The current vice mayor is Walter Burnett.

This position was created after Richard J. Daley passed away while in office. There was a power struggle over who should take over. The vice mayor position helps avoid such problems.

If neither the mayor nor the president pro tempore can lead a City Council meeting, the vice mayor takes charge.

For a long time, the vice mayor's job was mostly symbolic. But in 2023, Mayor Brandon Johnson helped pass a plan that gave the office a $400,000 budget. He also asked his vice mayor, Burnett, to work as an official link between the mayor's office and the community.

List of Vice Mayors

Vice-Mayor Tenure Mayor(s) serve under Notes Citations
Casey Laskowski 1976–1979 Michael Bilandic
Richard Mell 1979–1987 Jane Byrne
Harold Washington
David Orr on Live from the Heartland July 23 2012 (1).png David Orr 1987–1988 Harold Washington
Eugene Sawyer
Served as Acting Mayor for 1 week
Terry Gabinski 1988–1998 Eugene Sawyer
Richard M. Daley
Bernard Stone 1998–2011 Richard M. Daley
Ray Suarez 2011–2015 Rahm Emanuel
Brendan Reilly (5843419958).jpg Brendan Reilly 2015–2019 Rahm Emanuel
Tom Tunney (143407) (3x4a).jpg Tom Tunney 2019–2023 Lori Lightfoot
Walter Burnett Jr. 2015.jpg Walter Burnett Jr. 2023–present Brandon Johnson

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Alcalde de Chicago para niños

  • Law and government of Chicago
  • Timeline of Chicago history
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