Daley's Beginninings

  • 1924-Elected president of the Hamburg Athletic Club.

    Elected president of the Hamburg Athletic Club.
  • 1930- Became deputy county treasurer under Joseph McDonough.

  • 1933 Obtained law degree from DePaul University. Later, entered into law partnership with William Lynch. Law firm of Daley & Lynch existed until 1955.

  • 1936- Elected State Representative for Illinois on write-in Republican ballot. After election, he rejoined Democratic Party.

  • 1936- Appointed Chief Deputy County Comptroller.

  • 1938- Elected State Senator for Illinois as a Democrat.

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    1941- Served as Senate Minority Leader, the youngest party leader in Illinois Senate history.

  • 1946 Unsuccessful run for Cook county Sheriff against Elmer Michael Walsh.

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    1947- Became ward committeeman for 11th Ward, replacing Hugh B. Connelly.

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    1947- Appointed State Director of Revenue by Governor Adlai Stevenson, working out of the State of Illinois building in downtown Chicago.

  • 1950 Appointed to fill vacant Cook County Clerk position.

  • 1950- Elected Cook County Clerk; 1954 re-elected.

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    1953 Became Chairman of the Cook County Democratic Central Committee, replacing Joseph Gill. Served until 1976.

  • 1955- Elected mayor after defeating Benjamin Adamowski and incumbent Mayor Martin Kennelly in the primary and Republican Robert E. Merriam in the general election.