A federal judge on Monday ended the federal oversight of the city's hiring practices.
The ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge Sidney Shenkier means the court accepts that the nation's third-largest city now has mechanisms in place to stamp out illegal patronage.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel called it "a new chapter for the city of Chicago."
Attorney Michael Shakman 45 years ago argued that Chicago's mayors weren't playing fair with the hiring process, choosing political cronies over more qualified applicants.
He last month asked a judge to order an end to the federal oversight he sought with litigation. The federal monitor, Noelle Brennan, as well as city Inspector General Joseph Ferguson support the declaration of "substantial compliance."
Shakman first took on the practice during Mayor Richard J. Daley time in office. The legendary mayor used his patronage to help cement his unrivaled power.
