end of an era

today chicagoans will vote for the city's newest mayor as well as local aldermen.  this will be the first time in 22 years that richard m. daley's name will not appear on the ballot.  for numerous reasons, the current mayor has chosen not to seek reelection.  this is truly the end of another daley era in the chicago mayoral office.  for 43 of the past 56 years, a daley has ruled supreme over the city of chicago.  the current daley serving for 22 years (1989-2011), and his father, richard j. daley, serving for 21 years (1955-1976).

politics aside, it is neat to be living in chicago during the change in power from someone who has served the city for such a long time.  but, my most important question still remains:  how much is it going to cost the taxpayers to remove mayor daley's name from everything around the chicagoland area?!  (that's a "haha" comment, not a political "what about my money" comment)

results update:  rahm emanuel will be chicago's next mayor, earning 55% of the vote.