Chicago Mayors

The mayor of Chicago, the City’s chief executive officer, directs City departments and appoints department heads, with the advice and consent of the City Council.

Before 1907, mayors served two-year terms. In 1907 the term of office changed to four years. The mayor is elected in the year preceding each presidential election year; this election is held on the last Tuesday in February.  If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff election is held on the first Tuesday in April.

Use this chronological listing of Chicago’s mayors to find biographies and inaugural speeches:

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