Former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley hospitalized after feeling 'out of sorts'

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CHICAGO (CBS) — Retired Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley has been hospitalized, a spokeswoman confirmed.

Daley felt out of sorts while at home with his daughter, Nora, former Daley press secretary Jacqueline Heard told CBS 2.

As CBS 2’s Jermont Terry reported, doctors are keeping former Mayor Daley at the hospital overnight.

Daley went to Northwestern Memorial Hospital Wednesday afternoon. The Fire Department confirmed he went in an ambulance.

He was reported to be alert and talking with family members, who have been at his bedside.

“He is thankful for the nurses, doctors, staff, and fire department,” Heard said.

Doctors were checking his vitals late Wednesday to determine what made him feel uneasy.

Daley, 80, served as mayor from 1989 until 2011 – the longest stretch of any Chicago mayor. His father, Richard J. Daley, served almost as long, from 1955 until 1976.

Before being elected mayor, Daley served as an Illinois state senator from 1972 until 1980, and as Cook County State’s Attorney from 1981 until 1989. He ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1983 — when he and incumbent Jane Byrne lost the Democratic primary to Harold Washington. 

But Daley won the race for mayor in a special election in 1989 to finish the late Mayor Washington’s term — taking over for Acting Mayor Eugene Sawyer, whom he defeated in the Democratic primary. He was reelected five more times, in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2007.

In 2011, Mayor Daley surprised many when he decided not to seek reelection. Since retiring from politics, he has maintained a fairly low-key profile.

From 2011:

10 memorable highlights of Mayor Daley’s reign

Some of Mayor Daley’s most colorful quotes

Daley was also hospitalized in 2014 after becoming disoriented on a plane on the way back from Arizona. He was in the intensive-care unit for more than a week. 

CBS 2 Vault: One-on-one with Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2010


CBS 2 Vault: One on one with Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2010

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Source: ChicagoCBS