Abstract
Presents a summary of an oral history book on Chicago (IL) from Mayor Daley I to Daley II. Focus is on government & leadership changes, which are in turn linked to the economic & population base developments. Cumulatively these changes tell a deeper story about the mayor & the city: the very definition of the city, its rationale, & its distinctive personality have all changed. It no longer is (just) the city of broad shoulders; the lakefront is now just as critical. It is no longer a city of Capone-type violin cases, but a city of trees & real violins. Chicago is a great place to visit, as well as to live. The city's main economic activity is now entertainment, which brings tourists from afar, & regular visitors from nearby. These trends are critical to attracting & retaining talented residents, who in turn encourage more investment. Jobs grow, but this illustrates a dynamic opposite to the tradition in which jobs bring residents. The transformations are deeper & quicker than in most other industrial cities, which suggests that Chicago offers lessons for others to consider.