Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • Page 1-1

His departure on May 16, 2011, bequeaths to Chicago a spectacular donnybrook over its future. EDITORIAL, PAGE 22 Chicago after Daley WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2010 stunner: Mayor run again stunner: Mayor run again CHRIS PHOTO $1.00 CITY YEAR NO.251©CHICAGO TRIBUNE Richard M. 21-year run as mayor will end next spring with the city broadly reshaped by his vision and unprecedented grip on power, but with his image as sure-handed leader increasingly challenged. He stepped off the political stage in stunning fashion Tuesday, with the city in a time of great transition, years of recession taking its toll on his reputation as a shrewd manager, and money running out to keep Chicago moving forward. His rule was defined by bold strokes and secretiveness, traits that brought him his greatest successes but gradually undermined his effectiveness.

Daley leaves a legacy of broad accomplishments, such as Millennium Park and neighborhood revitalization. Other initiatives remain incomplete, such as the ongoing efforts to improve Chicago public schools and expand International Airport. Daley often spoke of how his passion for leading the city remained strong, so his decision to pull the plug led to questions about his underlying motivation. Was it the fragile health of his wife, Maggie, who has been battling cancer for years? Was it the looming $600 million city budget deficit that could make running the city in the short term about as enjoyable as a root canal? Or was it the increasing un-restiveness of a LEGACY City fortunes waning as mayor steps aside one reason at he says of his decision By Bob Secter TRIBUNE REPORTER Pleaseturnto Page10 Mayor Richard surprise announcement Tuesday that he stand for reelection rocked the very political foundation of a city come to rely on his power and virtually unchallenged leadership. The decision also unleashed more than two decades of pent- up ambition in Chicago politics.

With no heir apparent, jockeying commenced immediately, and the list of would-be successors already stretches seemingly as long as the lakefront. Veteran Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, signaled the start of what portends to be a furious race when he announced retirement during the middle of a City Council Finance Committee meeting Tuesday afternoon. said Burke, who rule out a run for mayor. all you wanna-be mayors, I guess you better run out and get your Political stability is expected to be in short supply in the post-Daley world.

His departure creates a political vacuum in a city where racial and ethnic considerations are never very far beneath the surface. Before Daley reinvented the strong mayor style of government, national reputation was marred by years of Council Wars. opens things up and it could revive some of the old rivalries that said Charles Wheeler, a political NEXT FOR CHICAGO After surprise, no heir, many hopefuls Opening unleashes pent-up ambitions; list of suitors grows By Rick Pearson and Hal Dardick TRIBUNE REPORTERS Pleaseturnto Page9 COMPLETE COVERAGE PAGES 2-10 The city is all but bankrupt. The cops are in revolt, as are the taxpayers. JOHN KASS, PAGE 2 As Daley says goodbye Product: CTBroadsheet PubDate: 09-08-2010 Zone: ALL Edition: ONO Page: MAINCOV-1 User: resmith Time: Color:.