Chicago Tribune Staff - Daley: A Retrospective

Richard M. Daley becomes Chicagos 45th mayor, delivering an inaugural address in which he pledges to justify voters confidence in his common-sense style of leadership.

Daleys first two proposals, an overhaul of City Council committees and a city water and sewer rate increases, pass the council.

Daley unveils a plan to build a third airport near Lake Calumet on the citys Southeast Side.

Underground tunnels running throughout the Loop flood with water after a rupture along the Chicago River. Asked if city workers, who had known about the breach and were planning repairs, had failed, Daley replied, Individuals did, not the city.

Daley presents state lawmakers with an $800 million development proposal that includes up to five gambling boats docked on the Chicago River. The plan fails to win approval from the General Assembly.

The Republican-led Illinois General Assembly grants Daleys request and allows him to take control of Chicago Public Schools.

The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development takes control of the Chicago Housing Authority.

Amid a heat wave that is later blamed for more than 700 deaths, Daley accuses Cook County Medical Examiner Edmund Donoghue of inflating the number of fatalities.

After five years of talk, Chicago joins the citywide recycling-collection movement with controversial blue bags.

Chicago hosts the Democratic National Convention.

Four months after Daley regains control of the CHA, the agency announces a 10-year plan to tear down most of its high-rise buildings and rehab or replace its remaining housing stock.

Renovation begins on Soldier Field as crews dismantle the seats of the stadium after a Bears playoff loss. Daley helped orchestrate the more than $600 million project, which included backing from then-Gov. George Ryan.

Daley orders a team of city workers to dig six huge Xs in the only runway at Meigs Field, located on Northerly Island. Daley defended closing the airport as necessary protection against possible terrorist acts.

Daleys vision of the peoples park comes to life when the 24.5-acre Millennium Park opens.

A joint-venture firm pays the city $1.83 billion to run the Chicago Skyway and collect tolls for 99 years.

Daleys longtime patronage chief Robert Sorich is convicted of scheming to reward political workers with city jobs.

A private company makes a one-time payment of $1.15 billion to the city in a lease agreement for the citys 36,000 parking meters spearheaded by Daley.

Chicago finishes fourth in the race to host the 2016 Olympic Games. Daley had been a strong supporter of the games.

In a 5-4 decision the Supreme Court rules against the citys gun ban, which was strongly supported by Daley.

Daley announces he will not seek re-election after 21 years in office.