Wednesday's City Council meeting represents another last for Mayor Richard M. Daley.
As Daley's tenure winds down, the 10 a.m. session marks the final meeting he'll preside over after 20-plus years in the top seat.
Daley took office in 1989, after turbulent City Council wars left the council racially divided. Daley ended those conflicts and, during the rest of his tenure, never saw fewer than 60 percent of the vote in any mayoral election.
In past weeks, Daley embarked on what he called his Neighborhood Appreciation Tour, greeting residents and thanking them for their support. He says he looks forward to life after May 16, when Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel gets sworn in. Daley has even discussed teaching a class or writing a book.
Wednesday's council meeting is also the last for 13 aldermen either retiring or voted out of office, including Berny Stone. Stone lost to Debra Silverstein in April's run-off elections.
"It's over. I loved it," the long-time alderman said of the race and, presumably, his 38 years in the council.
Watch a livestream of Daley's last council right here at nbcchicago.com
