. He or she is charged with directing city departments and agencies, and with the advice and consent of the
. He or she is also responsible for appointing the heads of city departments, the largest of which are the Water Management Department (formed by the consolidation of the former Water Department and Sewer Department under Richard M. Daley) and the Streets & Sanitation Department. He or she additionally appoints members to the boards of several special purpose municipalities including the
and subordinated the district under the mayor's authority; the district had long been an independent political field.
The Chicago City Clerk and City Treasurer are elected separately, as are the fifty aldermen who form the City Council. The mayor is empowered, however, to fill vacancies in any of these fifty-two elected offices by appointment. In turn, the City Council elect one of their own in the event the mayor's office is vacated.
The Mayor of Chicago is elected by popular vote every four years, on the last Tuesday in February. A run-off election, in the event no candidate garners more than fifty percent of the vote, is held on the first Tuesday in April. The election is held on a non-partisan basis. Chicago is the largest city in the United States of America not to
. Two sets of father and son have been elected Mayor of Chicago:
. Carter Harrison, Jr. was the first of the mayors to have been born within city limits. The first, and only woman to hold the office was
. The first Black mayor was
. As an interim mayor,
has the shortest mayoral term. Richard M. Daley was originally elected in 1989 and re-elected for the sixth time in 2007. In September 2010, Daley announced he would not seek a seventh term re-election as mayor. On December 26, 2010, Daley became the longest serving mayor of the city, surpassing his father's record.
is the current Mayor, having won the 2011 election with 55% of the votes to 25% for his closest opponent,
. Emanuel was sworn in on May 16, 2011.
The mayoral term in Chicago was one year from 1837 through 1863, when it was increased to two years. In 1907 it was again lengthened to four years, the present duration. Until 1861, municipal elections were held in March. In that year, legislation changed them to April. In 1869, however, election time was changed to November, and terms expiring in April of that year were lengthened. In 1875, the election day was moved back to April by the city's vote to operate under the
| # | Name | Term | Party | Notes |
| 1 |
William Butler OgdenWilliam Butler Ogden was the first Mayor of Chicago.Ogden was born in Walton, New York. When still a teenager, his father died and Ogden took over the family real estate business...
|
1837–1838 |
Democratic The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
|
|
| 2 |
Buckner Stith MorrisBuckner Stith Morris served as Mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Whig Party.Morris traveled north from Georgia in 1832, marrying Evelina Barker in Kentucky. The couple arrived in Chicago in 1834 where Morris established a law practice with J. Young Scammon and created the Chicago Lyceum, the...
|
1838–1839 |
WhigThe Whig Party was a political party of the United States during the era of Jacksonian democracy. Considered integral to the Second Party System and operating from the early 1830s to the mid-1850s, the party was formed in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic...
|
|
| 3 |
Benjamin Wright RaymondBenjamin Wright Raymond was an American politician who twice served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Whig Party.During his terms as mayor, Raymond ensured that State Street would be a wide thoroughfare...
|
1839–1840 |
Whig |
|
| 4 |
Alexander Loyd |
1840–1841 |
Democratic |
|
| 5 |
Francis Cornwall Sherman Francis Cornwall Sherman served as Mayor of Chicago, Illinois three terms for the Democratic Party....
|
1841–1842 |
Democratic |
|
| 6 |
Benjamin Wright RaymondBenjamin Wright Raymond was an American politician who twice served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Whig Party.During his terms as mayor, Raymond ensured that State Street would be a wide thoroughfare...
|
1842–1843 |
Whig |
|
| 7 |
Augustus Garrett Augustus Garrett twice served as Mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Democratic Party.Garrett married Eliza Clark in 1825 and moved to Chicago from New York in 1834...
|
1843–1844 |
Democratic |
|
| 8 |
Alson Sherman Alson Sherman served as Mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Independent Democrat Party....
|
1844–1845 |
Independent Democrat |
|
| 9 |
Augustus Garrett Augustus Garrett twice served as Mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Democratic Party.Garrett married Eliza Clark in 1825 and moved to Chicago from New York in 1834...
|
1845–1846 |
Democratic |
|
| 10 |
John Putnam Chapin John Putnam Chapin served as Mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Whig Party....
|
1846–1847 |
Whig |
|
| 11 |
James Curtiss James Curtiss was an American politician who twice served as Mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Democratic Party.-Early Life:...
|
1847–1848 |
Democratic |
|
| 12 |
James Hutchinson Woodworth James Hutchinson Woodworth , was a former member of the Illinois State Senate and the Illinois State House of Representatives, served as a Chicago Alderman, was elected to consecutive terms as Mayor of Chicago, Illinois as an Independent Democrat, and served one term in the US House...
|
1848–1850 |
Independent Democrat Independent Democrat is a term occasionally adopted by American politicians to refer to their party affiliation. Several elected officials, including members of Congress, have identified as " Independent Democrats."...
|
|
| 13 |
James Curtiss James Curtiss was an American politician who twice served as Mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Democratic Party.-Early Life:...
|
1850–1851 |
Democratic |
|
| 14 |
Walter S. GurneeWalter S. Gurnee served as Mayor of Chicago for the Democratic Party. The town of Gurnee, Illinois is named for him....
|
1851–1853 |
Democratic |
|
| 15 |
Charles McNeill Gray Charles McNeill Gray served as Mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Democratic Party....
|
1853–1854 |
Democratic |
|
| 16 |
Isaac Lawrence Milliken Isaac Lawrence Milliken served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois from 1854 to 1855. He was a member of the Democratic Party...
|
1854–1855 |
Democratic |
|
| 17 |
Levi Day Boone |
1855–1856 |
American PartyThe Know Nothing was a movement by the nativist American political faction of the 1840s and 1850s. It was empowered by popular fears that the country was being overwhelmed by German and Irish Catholic immigrants, who were often regarded as hostile to Anglo-Saxon Protestant values and controlled by...
|
|
| 18 |
Thomas DyerThomas Dyer served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Democratic Party. He also served as the founding president of the Chicago Board of Trade.-External links:* *...
|
1856–1857 |
Democratic |
|
| 19 |
John Wentworth"Long" John Wentworth was the editor of the Chicago Democrat, a two-term mayor of Chicago, and a six-term member of the United States House of Representatives....
|
1857–1858 |
Republican |
|
| 20 |
John Charles HainesJohn Charles Haines served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Democratic Party....
|
1858–1860 |
Democratic |
|
| 21 |
John Wentworth"Long" John Wentworth was the editor of the Chicago Democrat, a two-term mayor of Chicago, and a six-term member of the United States House of Representatives....
|
1860–1861 |
Republican |
|
| 22 |
Julian Sidney Rumsey Julian Sidney Rumsey served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Republican Party....
|
1861–1862 |
RepublicanThe Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
|
|
| 23 |
Francis Cornwall Sherman Francis Cornwall Sherman served as Mayor of Chicago, Illinois three terms for the Democratic Party....
|
1862–1865 |
Democratic |
|
| 24 |
John Blake RiceJohn Blake Rice was an American actor, theatrical producer and politician who served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois as a member of the Republican Party....
|
1865–1869 |
Republican |
|
| 25 |
Roswell B. Mason Roswell B. Mason served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Citizens Party....
|
1869–1871 |
Citizens |
Mayor during the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. |
| 26 |
Joseph Medill Joseph Medill was an American newspaper editor and publisher, and politician. He was co-owner and managing editor of the Chicago Tribune, and was Mayor of Chicago.-Biography:...
|
1871–1873 |
Fireproof |
Born in CanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
|
| 27 |
Harvey Doolittle Colvin Harvey Doolittle Colvin served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the People's Party....
|
1873–1875 |
People's |
|
| 28 |
Monroe HeathMonroe Heath was a U.S. politician. He served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Republican Party. He is buried in Oak Woods Cemetery....
|
1876–1879 |
Republican |
|
| 29 |
Carter Harrison, Sr.Carter Henry Harrison, Sr. was an American politician who served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois from 1879 until 1887; he was subsequently elected to a fifth term in 1893 but was assassinated before completing his term. He previously served two terms in the United States House of Representatives...
|
1879–1887 |
Democratic |
father of Carter Harrison, Jr.Carter Henry Harrison, Jr. served as Mayor of Chicago . The City's 30th mayor, he was the first actually born in Chicago....
|
| 30 |
John A. RocheJohn A. Roche served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Republican Party. He was elected as 30th mayor, 39th term He was born in Utica New York, and served as an apprentice to his brother for three years...
|
1887–1889 |
Republican |
|
| 31 |
DeWitt Clinton CregierDeWitt Clinton Cregier served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Democratic Party. Prior to this he was an engineer with the City of Chicago, and was awarded, in 1875, and in 1876, , both for fire hydrants. The latter was a combination drinking fountain, fire hydrant, and watering basin for...
|
1889–1891 |
Democratic |
|
| 32 |
Hempstead WashburneHempstead Washburne served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Republican Party. He was the son of Elihu B. Washburne, Congressman, Secretary of State, and Minister to France....
|
1891–1893 |
Republican |
|
| 33 |
Carter Harrison, Sr.Carter Henry Harrison, Sr. was an American politician who served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois from 1879 until 1887; he was subsequently elected to a fifth term in 1893 but was assassinated before completing his term. He previously served two terms in the United States House of Representatives...
|
1893 |
Democratic |
Assassinated in office; father of Carter Harrison, Jr.Carter Henry Harrison, Jr. served as Mayor of Chicago . The City's 30th mayor, he was the first actually born in Chicago....
|
| 34 |
George Bell Swift George Bell Swift served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Republican Party. He was selected to replace the assassinated Carter Harrison, Sr. as Mayor pro tem in 1893 and lost his re-election bid. He was re-elected when he ran in 1895.Swift was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Samuel W...
|
1893 |
Republican |
Mayor Pro Tem |
| 35 |
John Patrick HopkinsJohn Patrick Hopkins served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Democratic Party. John Patrick Hopkins was the first of nine Irish-American Catholic mayors of Chicago....
|
1893–1895 |
Democratic |
|
| 36 |
George Bell Swift George Bell Swift served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Republican Party. He was selected to replace the assassinated Carter Harrison, Sr. as Mayor pro tem in 1893 and lost his re-election bid. He was re-elected when he ran in 1895.Swift was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Samuel W...
|
1895–1897 |
Republican |
|
| 37 |
Carter Harrison, Jr.Carter Henry Harrison, Jr. served as Mayor of Chicago . The City's 30th mayor, he was the first actually born in Chicago....
|
1897–1905 |
Democratic |
First Chicago born mayor; son of Mayor Carter Harrison, Sr.Carter Henry Harrison, Sr. was an American politician who served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois from 1879 until 1887; he was subsequently elected to a fifth term in 1893 but was assassinated before completing his term. He previously served two terms in the United States House of Representatives...
|
| 38 |
Edward Fitzsimmons DunneEdward Fitzsimmons Dunne was an American politician who was the 24th Governor of Illinois from 1913 to 1917 and previously served as the 38th mayor of Chicago from April 5, 1905 to 1907.-Early years:...
|
1905–1907 |
Democratic |
|
| 39 |
Fred A. BusseFred Busse was the mayor of Chicago, in the U.S. state of Illinois, from 1907 to 1911.Busse became a local Republican leader, first elected to the Illinois Legislature in 1894, and eventually serving as State Treasurer beginning in 1902...
|
1907–1911 |
Republican |
|
| 40 |
Carter Harrison, Jr.Carter Henry Harrison, Jr. served as Mayor of Chicago . The City's 30th mayor, he was the first actually born in Chicago....
|
1911–1915 |
Democratic |
|
| 41 |
William Hale ThompsonWilliam Hale Thompson was Mayor of Chicago from 1915 to 1923 and again from 1927 to 1931. Known as "Big Bill", Thompson was the last Republican to serve as Mayor of Chicago, and ranks among the most unethical mayors in American history.Thompson was born in Boston, Massachusetts to William Hale...
|
1915–1923 |
Republican |
|
| 42 |
William Emmett DeverWilliam Emmett Dever served as the Democratic mayor of Chicago, Illinois, U.S. from 1923 to 1927.-Biography:...
|
1923–1927 |
Democratic |
|
| 43 |
William Hale ThompsonWilliam Hale Thompson was Mayor of Chicago from 1915 to 1923 and again from 1927 to 1931. Known as "Big Bill", Thompson was the last Republican to serve as Mayor of Chicago, and ranks among the most unethical mayors in American history.Thompson was born in Boston, Massachusetts to William Hale...
|
1927–1931 |
Republican |
|
| 44 |
Anton CermakAnton Joseph Cermak was the mayor of Chicago, Illinois, from 1931 until his assassination by Giuseppe Zangara in 1933.-Early life and career:...
|
1931–1933 |
Democratic |
Assassinated in office; second foreign born (in Austria -Hungary) |
| 45 |
Frank J. Corr Frank J. Corr served as acting mayor of Chicago, Illinois in 1933 following the assassination of Anton Cermak...
|
1933 |
Democratic |
32 days, Acting Mayor |
| 46 |
Edward Joseph KellyEdward Joseph Kelly served as chief engineer of the Chicago sanitary district in the 1920s, and later as mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Democratic Party....
|
1933–1947 |
Democratic |
Act of the Illinois legislature permitted City Council to elect a non-alderman to fill the vacancy. |
| 47 |
Martin H. KennellyMartin H. Kennelly served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Democratic Party.-Early Life:...
|
1947–1955 |
Democratic |
|
| 48 |
Richard J. DaleyRichard Joseph Daley served for 21 years as the mayor and undisputed Democratic boss of Chicago and is considered by historians to be the "last of the big city bosses." He played a major role in the history of the Democratic Party, especially with his support of John F...
|
1955–1976 |
Democratic |
Died in office; father of Richard M. DaleyRichard Michael Daley is a United States politician, member of the national and local Democratic Party, and former Mayor of Chicago, Illinois. He was elected mayor in 1989 and reelected in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2007. He was the longest serving Chicago mayor, surpassing the tenure of his...
|
| 49 |
Michael Anthony BilandicMichael Anthony Bilandic was an Illinois politician who served as the mayor of Chicago, Illinois and as Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. He was a member of the Democratic Party....
|
1976–1979 |
Democratic |
|
| 50 |
Jane Margaret Byrne |
1979–1983 |
Democratic |
First female mayor |
| 51 |
Harold WashingtonHarold Lee Washington was an American lawyer and politician who became the first African-American Mayor of Chicago, serving from 1983 until his death in 1987.- Early years and military service :...
|
1983–1987 |
Democratic |
Died in office; first Black/African-American mayor |
| 52 |
David Duvall Orr David Duvall Orr is an American Democratic politician from Chicago, Illinois. He was Alderman of the 49th Ward in Chicago from 1979 to 1991. In 1987, he served briefly as Mayor of Chicago after the death of Mayor Harold Washington. Since 1991, he has been County Clerk of Cook County...
|
1987 |
Democratic |
8 days, Interim Mayor |
| 53 |
Eugene SawyerEugene Sawyer was an American businessman and politician who served as Mayor of Chicago, Illinois as a member of the Democratic Party. He was the second African American to serve as mayor of Chicago....
|
1987–1989 |
Democratic |
Elected by city council to complete Mayor Washington's term |
| 54 |
Richard M. DaleyRichard Michael Daley is a United States politician, member of the national and local Democratic Party, and former Mayor of Chicago, Illinois. He was elected mayor in 1989 and reelected in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2007. He was the longest serving Chicago mayor, surpassing the tenure of his...
|
1989–2011 |
Democratic |
Longest serving mayor; son of Richard J. DaleyRichard Joseph Daley served for 21 years as the mayor and undisputed Democratic boss of Chicago and is considered by historians to be the "last of the big city bosses." He played a major role in the history of the Democratic Party, especially with his support of John F...
|
| 55 |
Rahm EmanuelRahm Israel Emanuel is an American politician and the 55th and current Mayor of Chicago. He was formerly White House Chief of Staff to President Barack Obama...
|
2011–present |
Nonpartisan1 |
First Jewish mayor |
Rahm Emanuel is a Democrat, but he and all other candidates in the 2011 election officially ran as nonpartisans. Under a 1995 Illinois law, "candidates for mayor . . . no longer would run under party labels in Chicago."