The Kingdom of Illinois

Hizzoner (His Honor) Mayor Richard J. Daley

 

Just like a Monarchy is ruled by people from the same bloodline, doesn’t mean they all get along. England’s history is riddled with takeovers of the throne from blood relatives and inner strife. The same is true for Chicago’s history over the past 50 years. It is a Monarchy ruled by the same family.

 

 

Richard J. Daley served as Mayor of Chicago for 21 years. He served as Mayor from 1955 through 1976. I’ll never forget when Daley died. He had just left the Dr. office and died on his way out. It was right around Christmas time when he died (December 20, 1976). Although I am an American & always lived in Chicagoland area, it was like a Monarch had died. The Mayor’s dead, long live the Mayor.

 

After Richard J. Daley’s death, there were several mayors who served. Including Michael Bilandic, who lost the Mayoral election to Jane Byrne after the Blizzard of 1979. Bilandic did not get the snow plows out in time & it cost him the election.

 

Jane Byrne won the election from Bilandic & became Mayor of Chicago. During this time, Richard M. Daley was serving as Federal Prosecutor in Chicago. Just like England’s Monarchy, while the Father serves as King, his Son’s as Princes serve as Knights or control land regions on behalf of the King.

 

After Jane Byrne, Harold Washington became Mayor after a 3-way vote split the white vote & brought Washington to office. Once Washington took office, Council Wars ensued. Chicago Council Wars pitted 29 out of the 50 City Council Members led by Ed Vrdolyak and Ed Burke against Washington’s allies. This went on for 3 years. The 29 Council Members thwarted Washington’s every move. This could be compared to England’s Civil War. Remember we are talking about people from the same party.

 

Harold Washington died suddenly in 1987, and Richard M. Daley then eventually became Mayor. The current Daley has been in office now since 1989. When this current term ends, he’ll have been in office longer than his Father. Daley has a stranglehold on the Chicago City Council. Just like during the time of Queen Elizabeth Tudor, the Parliament rubber stamps her decisions, and the Chicago City Council rubber stamps Daley’s decisions.

 

No one stands against him from his own party. And Republicans cannot find a strong enough candidate to run more than a token resistance upon election. Just like a Monarchy where the Ruler rules the entire land, Daley has huge influence across the entire State.

 

Chicago is the largest City in Illinois and is the major economic engine outside of agriculture. Just like the Monarchs in England ruled from the Tower of London, Daley rules from City Hall. Daley has major allies in the Illinois House of Representatives and Illinois State Senate in Springfield.

 

Michael Madigan, the current Illinois Speaker of the House is a major Ally of Mayor Daley and has stood with Daley against Rod Blagojevich. One of Daley’s biggest Allies in the Chicago City Council is Alderman Dick Mel. Dick Mel is one of the most powerful Councilmen in Chicago. Dick Mel’s Daughter, Patty married Rod Blagojevich. Rod was an up & coming prosecutor who used his Father-In-Law’s influence to get him elected first as Congressman, then to become Governor. Dick Mel & Blagojevich no longer talk to each other.

 

Just like Royalty who enter into marriage to solidify their power influence and Kingdom, Rod Blagojevich did just that.

 

If you have been to Chicago, you’ve probably been to Millennium Park, it has a giant reflective bean, interactive water fountains, a café, ice rink, and outdoor theater. Construction for this park ran way over budget and way behind schedule. In the end, the project totaled $500 Million. Daley was able to raise taxes to pay for the cost over-runs even though he promised private donations would pay for the whole project.

 

Meigs Field was a small airport right on the shore of Lake Michigan in downtown Chicago. The airport was convenient for lawmakers to fly between Chicago & Springfield. Executives for companies in rural Illinois were also able to fly in and out of Chicago. Many small plane pilots had their planes there as well.

 

Daley was never a fan of Meigs Field. Daley claimed that it was a National Security issues to have a downtown airport after 9/11. Never mind that the largest plane that could land there would be a Learjet, Daley insisted that Meigs be shut down.

 

One night (after Midnight), a fleet of construction vehicles drove onto Miegs Field and carved giant “X” ‘s up and down the runway preventing any plane from landing there.

 

Daley was trying to get the airport shutdown and there was a Federal lawsuit against him to prevent the airport from being closed. Somehow, by getting the runway carved up, Daley was able to get his way despite the Federal Lawsuit. Daley eventually had the terminal torn down and now it is a concert venue called “Northerly Island.”

 

This type of action could not be done without absolute power.

 

So in the National Media, when they talk about Chicago being Socialist, don’t you believe it. It is a Monarchy. The entire State is run by Daley who rules from City Hall in Chicago and heavily influences the State Legislature.