Event—Public Programming

Chicago’s Modern Mayors: A Conversation with Dick Simpson

This program is presented in partnership with the University of Illinois Chicago.

UIC Great Cities Institute Director Teresa Córdova will interview UIC Professor Emeritus and former Chicago Alderman Dick Simpson about his new book, Chicago's Modern Mayors—From Harold Washington to Lori Lightfoot. To contextualize the book discussion, Córdova and Simpson will explore how the UIC University Library's special collections of mayors Richard J. Daley and Richard M. Daley are fundamental to understanding the history of Chicago politics.

Book signing follows the program. Copies will be available for purchase.

Light refreshments will be served.

About Chicago's Modern Mayors
Chicago's transformation into a global city began at City Hall. Dick Simpson and Betty O'Shaughnessy edit in-depth analyses of the five mayors that guided the city through this transition beginning with Harold Washington's 1983 election: Washington, Eugene Sawyer, Richard M. Daley, Rahm Emmanuel and Lori Lightfoot. Though the respected political science, sociologist, and journalist contributors approach their subjects from distinct perspectives, each essay addresses three essential issues: how and why each mayor won the office; whether the City Council of their time acted as a rubber stamp or independent body; and the ways the unique qualities of each mayor's administration and accomplishments influenced their legacy.

Speaker

Dick Simpson is professor emeritus, former head of the Department of Political Science at the University of Illinois Chicago, a former Chicago alderman and congressional candidate. 
His books include Democracy’s Rebirth: The View from Chicago and Corrupt Illinois: Patronage, Cronyism, and Criminality.

Cost and Registration

This program is free and open to all. Advance registration required. Registration is through the University of Illinois Chicago. Click here to register.

Questions?

Please contact Valerie Hill, Executive Assistant to the Dean of Libraries at the University of Illinois Chicago, at (312) 413- 3272 or vhill@uic.edu.