Who runs Chicago?
By: Michael Kilian, Connie Fletcher, F. Richard Ciccone.
Contributors: Fletcher, Connie, 1947- joint author.; Ciccone, F. Richard, joint author.
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 1979
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 436
Subjects: Elite (Social sciences) -- Illinois -- Chicago.; Chicago (Ill.) -- Politics and government -- 1951-
Description: "As the late Mayor Daley used to boast, Chicago is 'the city that works.' It never worked as well as he pretended but works better than any other big city in the U.S., perhaps because if all the people who run it were to gather in one room (and they'd fit) they would all know each other (and they'd all be talking about this book. The only books that seem to get written about Chicago are about Daley, gangsters, or historical oddities like the 1871 Chicago Fire. WHO RUNS CHICAGO? goes far beyond that - into the boardrooms and back rooms, the slums and lakefront high-rises, the exclusive clubs and the Chicago Bears locker room. Even under some bushes at the Saddle & Cycle Club where the previous Prince of Wales took a Chicago lady some fifty years ago. The most penetrating and expansive view of any city is through its leading citizens, which is why each chapter includes a list of the most important people in each respective field. (Taken into consideration in the rankings are also ability and prestige - and false impressions of the above.) Chapters include: The Dems - who actually runs the city; The Repubs - a discussion of the leading Republicans, if any can be found; The Gangs - a listing of Chicago's top street gangs and their leaders, including the one who ran for City Council; Society - an inside look at the guest lists, linen closets, and civic activities of the powerful ladies who make up le tout Chicago; The Clubs - the most prestigious institutions, who belongs, and who doesn't; and much much more. Who's who in the media, big business, and the Mob, and where they work (a look at downtown Chicago), play (what to look for on the fine arts and sports scenes), and sleep (the most comprehensive listing ever of Chicago's top twenty suburbs.)
Notes: Includes index.