Richard M. Daley has quite literally followed in his father's footsteps. And now, he could quite possibly pass him up.
He's the nation's current longest serving mayor and is closing in on his father's milestone. But as Chicago's Mayor celebrates 20 years in office, he's still 18 months short of his father's record. Richard J. Daley died in office after holding the Mayor's post for more than 21 years.
As Daley reflects on the challenges of public life he says those who say his family has benefited from city contracts are "nitpicking". Recently, there have been questions about contracts his nephew Robert Vanecko and his son Patrick have received.
At 67, Daley shows no signs of slowing down. He is focused on Chicago trying to secure the 2016 Olympic bid and says despite the $500 million in taxpayer money needed, the security and transportation improvements the Olympics will bring Chicago outweigh any concerns.
"There are no white elephants," says Daley referring to plans to make sure all that is built for the games has alternative uses once the Olympics is over.
In a taped interview with NBC 5's Mary Ann Ahern for City Desk, the mayor touched on former governor Rod Blagojevich's troubles, the Chicago public schools and the current controversy about Chicago police officers involved in drunk driving accidents.
And Daley revealed a personal side. He described his wife Maggie as "a fighter" after a recent breast cancer-related bone biopsy at Northwestern Hospital.
Daley, the grandfather of three, is known as "Papa."
"I love them," said Daley, who has been known to slip away from City Hall to attend an occasional preschool program.
