Daley's death in 1976 and racial tension seemed to rob the machine of it's power in the 1970s. However, the election of Richard Michael Daley, the former Mayor's son, seems to indicate that the machine never went away. Politics in Chicago are still dominated by the Democrat party, but there is less evidence of corruption and more credibility then in its history. Today's Chicago holds a reputation as a cultural mecca, with world-class museums, restaurants, theater, and arts. The "other side" of Chicago is not as shiny, in terms of poverty-stricken housing projects and high crime, but city politics is fighting back.
The current Mayor Daley is a Democrat, former state senator and couty prosecuter. To read his full biography and accomplishments, check http://egov.cityofchicago.org.
To contact Chicago's city government:
City Clerk of Chicago
121 N. LaSalle Street - Room 107
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 744-6861
http://www.chicityclerk.com/
Chicago Mayor's Office
1615 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 746-7777
The official City website: http://egov.cityofchicago.org