Being a Democratic ward committeeperson in Chicago used to be like being a political prince.
Mayor Richard J. Daley was the kingmaker who chaired the Cook County Regular Democratic Organization. Patronage was in its heyday. Jobs at City Hall and other agencies of local government firmly under Daley’s control were funneled to Democratic ward bosses, who toed the line and delivered the highest vote totals for Daley’s handpicked candidates.