Politics And Politicians Of Chicago

"There is no question that a well-defined 'Chicago School' of political economy has emerged, built largely around the work of George J. Stigler and his colleagues. Chicago Studies in Political Economy brings together the key works in this field, works that have been extremely influential among economists who study political processes. It is a collection of enormous value."—Roger G. Noll

The 1983 mayoral primary and general elections proved a watershed in Chicago politics, in which entire wards quit allegiances of the past. New voting patterns formed which generally continued into the 1987 elections. Covers the Council Wars and the election of Harold Washington as Mayor of Chicago in 1983.

Considered a microcosm of the nation, the state of Illinois stretches almost four hundred miles from its northern limit at the Wisconsin line to its southern tip at Cairo, nestled between Kentucky and Missouri. Its political culture is as intriguing as the state is long. Illinois has produced presidents and leading members of Congress. It also has a long history of political corruption, including, in recent years, the federal indictments of two consecutive governors. The population of the state is exceptionally diverse, with a significant number of new immigrants. Its political allegiance, once firmly Republican, has trended ever more Democratic. Illinois can be divided neatly into three distinct regions: Chicago, the suburban collar surrounding the city, and the ninety-five downstate counties. Based on the research and experience of respected veterans of Illinois politics, this book shows how the government runs, how politics operates, and what obstacles and opportunities exist for change. It explains how power is exercised and how parties compete for it. For engaged citizens, scholars, and students, Illinois Politics: A Citizen's Guide is a timely and much-needed roadmap for positive change.

In a democracy, we generally assume that voters know the policies they prefer and elect like-minded officials who are responsible for carrying them out. We also assume that voters consider candidates' competence, honesty, and other performance-related traits. But does this actually happen? Do voters consider candidates’ policy positions when deciding for whom to vote? And how do politicians’ performances in office factor into the voting decision? In Follow the Leader?, Gabriel S. Lenz sheds light on these central questions of democratic thought. Lenz looks at citizens’ views of candidates both before and after periods of political upheaval, including campaigns, wars, natural disasters, and episodes of economic boom and bust. Noting important shifts in voters’ knowledge and preferences as a result of these events, he finds that, while citizens do assess politicians based on their performance, their policy positions actually matter much less. Even when a policy issue becomes highly prominent, voters rarely shift their votes to the politician whose position best agrees with their own. In fact, Lenz shows, the reverse often takes place: citizens first pick a politician and then adopt that politician’s policy views. In other words, they follow the leader. Based on data drawn from multiple countries, Follow the Leader? is the most definitive treatment to date of when and why policy and performance matter at the voting booth, and it will break new ground in the debates about democracy.

In this provocative and engagingly written book, the authors argue that politicians seldom tailor their policy decisions to "pander" to public opinion. In fact, they say that when not facing election, contemporary presidents and members of Congress routinely ignore the public's preferences and follow their own political philosophies. 37 graphs.

“An important contribution to the literature on contemporary American politics. Both methodologically and substantively, it breaks new ground.” —Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare When Scott Walker was elected Governor of Wisconsin, the state became the focus of debate about the appropriate role of government. In a time of rising inequality, Walker not only survived a bitterly contested recall, he was subsequently reelected. But why were the very people who would benefit from strong government services so vehemently against the idea of big government? With The Politics of Resentment, Katherine J. Cramer uncovers an oft-overlooked piece of the puzzle: rural political consciousness and the resentment of the “liberal elite.” Rural voters are distrustful that politicians will respect the distinct values of their communities and allocate a fair share of resources. What can look like disagreements about basic political principles are therefore actually rooted in something even more fundamental: who we are as people and how closely a candidate’s social identity matches our own. Taking a deep dive into Wisconsin’s political climate, Cramer illuminates the contours of rural consciousness, showing how place-based identities profoundly influence how people understand politics. The Politics of Resentment shows that rural resentment—no less than partisanship, race, or class—plays a major role in dividing America against itself.

Excerpt from Politics and Politicians of Chicago, Cook County, and Illinois: Memorial Volume, 1787-1887; A Complete Record of Municipal, County, State and National Politics From the Earliest Period to the Present Time Chapter i.-first Settler of Chicago, 5. Various Appellations of Chicago. Garies' River, 6. The Main River Bed Changed. Chicago in Virginia. Treaty of Greenville. Original Site of Chicago. Illinois in Indiana Territory. Fort Dearborn Established. First Commandants of the F ort. Massacre of 1812, 7. Captain John and Lieutenant Wrn. Whistler. Memorial Meeting of Citizens, 9. Address of Thomas Hoyne, 10. Illinois Territory. Provisions of the Ordinance of 1787. Congressman Nathaniel Pope. Illinois admitted to the Union.. Chicago in Various Counties. Earliest Political Records. Earliest Valuation, 11. First Election Ordered. First Public officials. First Marriage, 12. First Clergyman. Chicago Never in Vermillion County. First Voting Precincts Formed. First Taxpayers, 13. List of First Justices of the Peace. First poll-list, 14. Personal History of First Voters. Daniel P. Cook, 15, 16. Grant for the Illinois and Michigan Canal. Vot'e 0n Constitution Legalizing slavery..fi1'st Canal Commissioners. First School Trustees. Survey of the Town of Chicago. First Tavern License, 17. First Local Improvements. State Election of '1830. Vhere Held. Death of John Kinzie, 18. Personal History of Voters of 1830. Special Elections, 19, 21. Mark Beaubien and His Fiddle, 22, 23. Arrival of Early Settlers. Gurdon S. Hubbard. First Militia Muster R011. First Mounted Troops, 24, 26. Cook County Organized. First County Election, First Officials, First Commissioners' Court, Proceedings of Same, Election of 1838, 26, 28. Original Town of Chicago Incor porated. First Board of Trustees, Proceedings, 29, 30, 31. Important Meetings of Citizens, 31. Gubernatorial Election of 1834. First Drawbridge and F irst Vessel Built at Chicago. Their Builder. First Shipment of F reight Down the Lakes. First Public School Teacher, chapter II. - Presidential Campaign of 1836. City Charter Discussion Tahe Charter Procured. Charter Election Called. Original Wards and Boundaries. The Election. Official Returns by Wards and Divisions, 33, 36. John H. Kinzie. Mayor, William B. Ogden, 37, 43 The City Seal, . Oldest Buildings Land Deals. The Early Press, 44, 45. Settlement of Social and Political Lines, 46. Election of 1838. First Appearance in Chicago of Stephen A. Douglas, His Election to Congress. National Campaign of Cider Recollections. Old Tippecanoe's popularity. Chicago and Cook County Remain Democratic. Chamblee and Billy Caldwell on Gen. Harrison, 47, 50. Early Ab01iti0n ists, 50. First State Convention held in Chicago. State and Congressional Election of 1842. National Campaign of 1844. Result in Chicago and Cook County, 51. Municipal Elec tions. Mayor Buckner S. Morris, 52. Mayor Benjamin 7. Raymond, 53. Mayor Alex ander lloyd..mayor Francis C Sherman His First Inaugural Message, 54. Mayor Raymond's Second Election. Action of the Democratic Convention. Mayor Raymond's Inaugural Message, 55. Mayor Augustus Garrett. His First Inaugural Message. Retrenchment recommended..the Underground Railroad Criticised, 56, 57. Mayor Alson S. Sherman, 57. Augustus Garrett's Second Election and Inaugural. Many Improve ments Recommended, 58. Mayors John P. Chapin and James Curtiss. City Wards Increased to Nine, 59. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com