Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley has earned a national reputation for his innovative, community-based programs to address education, public safety, neighborhood development and other challenges facing American cities. Time magazine, in its April 25, 2005 issue, said Daley "is widely viewed as the nation's top urban executive."

A former state senator and county prosecutor, Daley was elected Mayor on April 4, 1989, to complete the term of the late Harold Washington, and was re-elected in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007 by overwhelming margins.

Frustrated with the performance of Chicago's schools, Daley assumed responsibility for the Chicago Public Schools in 1995. His new management team closed a $1.8 billion deficit; made homework mandatory; ended social promotion of underperforming students; improved school safety; greatly expanded summer school, after-school and early childhood education programs; and invested more then $4 billion in capital improvements.

Recently, Daley has pushed especially hard to improve the teaching of reading and to increase parental involvement in education. Student scores on standardized tests have risen consistently since 1995 and have surpassed national norms in some areas. In 2004, Daley announced Renaissance 2010, a plan to create 100 new schools, mainly in existing buildings, by 2010 to replace low-performing schools, provide new educational options to underserved communities and relieve overcrowding. So far, 37 new schools have been created under this plan. In 2006, he announced Modern Schools Across Chicago, a $1 billion plan to build 24 new schools, using tax increment financing.