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The Eldest Son

Senator Daley responsible for
new mental health code
by Gary Adkins

The eldest son of the most powerful, beloved and respected leader in Chicago's history, Sen. Richard M. Daley holds a unique position in Illinois government and politics. Whether Daley would like to follow in his father's footsteps and run for mayor of Chicago is unknown. Sen. Daley himself says "not at this time." But he has, nonetheless followed a career pattern similar to that of his illustrious father. "Young Daley is a graduate of his father's elementary school, Nativity; his high school, Catholic De LaSalle; and law school, DePaul; and began his government service in the city corporation counsel's office," according to Milton Rakove in his book Don't Make No Waves. . . Don't Back No Losers.

His first elective office was as a delegate to the Sixth Illinois Constitutional Convention. He served on the Local Government Committee and the Style and Drafting Committee at the convention. At 36, and as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee for the past four years, Daley is one of the most powerful members of the Illinois Senate. Like his father at a similar age, Daley has been a relatively quiet, unpretentious state senator, willing to sometimes take a back seat to publicity seekers while he meticulously learns the ropes and how to pull them.

His leadership role

Yet in the past year Sen. Daley has begun to take a more visible leadership role. His father spent four terms in the Senate, and the 81st session marks the start of Sen. Daley's fourth term. By his own admission, he has championed "more controversial subjects" recently. His advocacy of a new civil rights code intended to protect the rights of the mentally ill was clearly instrumental in the passage of the bills last year (see July 1978).

More recently, Sen. Daley has proposed legislation to close a loophole in Illinois law that does not penalize physicians who fail to report child abuse cases they find when treating children. And he has called for creation of a separate unit under the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to concentrate exclusively on child abuse cases. "It's time we did something about following up cases immediately, investigating within 24 hours, and not two or three days later," Daley says. "We need more accountability to see that the code is implemented. If the program is not operating right, we may need to do away with it and use those people more effectively."

Daley feels that a larger budget for DCFS is part of the answer to a more effective state response to child abuse. But he sees the issue as "more an executive problem than a legislative problem. The governor should have more appointment power within the

February 1979/Illinois Issues/9


agency." Daley ranks improving child abuse response as his number one priority in the 81st legislative session. He believes that the recent increase in the incidence of child abuse is due to "the amount of violence we see on television and the whole drug phase we're in in our society."

The senator says his greatest achievement to date in the legislature was his role in maneuvering the new mental health code through to passage last spring. He says the most important part of the code, and the part he's proudest of, is the Guardianship and Mental Health Advocacy Commission's human rights authority. It is charged with investigating abuses and protecting patients through public input. "I felt there was need for a change to protect the rights of people who didn't have a voice," Daley says.

Sen. Daley's philosophy of state government on fiscal matters is essentially conservative. He believes that the answer to most problems is not just money, but accountability by those who provide services. For example, he thinks the corrections department should undergo "complete reorganization."

"The incident at Pontiac [when three guards were killed in July 1978] was not handled well. What's the purpose of a lockup? It's a punishment that accomplishes nothing. I think they should have taken other steps maybe used the national guard to enforce order, or at least allowed the men in there to take showers and eat decent meals. The loss of men there, the killing of guards, was committed by 20 or 30 men who've been transferred elsewhere. The law should punish those individuals. But I'm concerned about the innocent prisoners, especially the young man in prison for the first time on a first or second offense. It must be a great hardship," Daley said.

His view of government

Sen. Daley thinks state agencies should be more the responsibility of the governor. "The General Assembly can't be here full time. We review the budget and set policy. I think it's [the legislative process] getting more complicated and it hampers the executive branch of government. It's like having a board of directors running the state."

Although Sen. Daley has had his differences with Gov. James R. Thompson, Daley does not give him bad marks

for overall performance. "Anyone compared to the previous administration would look good. The relationship with the legislature was fantastic, not only his [Gov. Thompson's], but the whole staff. ... I expect it to continue," Sen. Daley said.

He defends the November 29 pay raise, which he voted for: "I personally don't think it's too much. I think it's right for all officials of state and local government, home rule and non-home rule, to vote on their pay raises. We should vote and not have the rate set by rules and regulations. That way the people have some accountability.

"One of the things my father imparted to me was to never be afraid of the people, or going before them in an election. The people should have a voice in government, and there shouldn't be such bureaucracy. Elected officials have less to say than ever before in the history of the United States," Sen. Daley says.

'One of the things
my father imparted to me
was never be afraid
of the people, or going
before them in an election.
The people should have
a voice in government. . .'

"If you are building new curbs in Chicago, you have to get an enrivonmental impact statement. Federal bureaucracy has gone too far. Proposition 13 anger should be directed toward federal, not state or local government. The federal government is an enigma to its citizens."

Daley said he believes the federal government should bail out bankrupt Cleveland with emergency money. But as to his own city, he appears confident that it will continue to thrive. "The future of Chicago is upon the faces of its citizens. They have a great feeling of optimism. The business, labor, government and religious community are all willing and able to try new concepts, like the new home mortgage program that encourages people to buy homes in Chicago."

Why is Chicago "the city that works"? "There is good will among community leaders. They know each other, they are active in civic, community and government activity. There is a feeling that they are willing to cooperate to put people to work."

His opinion on OTB

Two issues before the legislature that directly affect Chicago are legalization of off-track betting (OTB) for horse racing and state funding for a new sports stadium. Sen. Daley says he see nothing

wrong with OTB "if any local governmental body views it as helpful," and he would prefer that the city consider remodeling of the present sports stadium, Soldiers Field.

Daley says the revenues from OTB should go toward social services, education, child abuse, public health and so forth. He says his father never fully endorsed the concept of just a stadium alone. "There should be other activities involved besides sports . . . the Bears only play eight games a year in Soldiers Field."

Was it difficult to grow up as the son of Mayor Richard J. Daley? "No. My father and mother raised us with the understanding that his position was his. It was never looked on as ours. My father never used us publicly in any way." But a strong sense of public responsibility and love of his city is a legacy that Richard M. Daley accepted from his father.

On a personal level, Sen. Daley seems more serious and more concerned with the human effects of government than he has ever had a reputation for. When he talks about the problems of child abuse, overcrowded prisons and the rights of the mentally ill, he does so with apparently sincere empathy and an understanding born of hard work and study. His political sense, dedication and ambition might have been inherited from his father. And although it is unlikely that anyone will even again dominate the power and glory of Cook County as thoroughly as his father did Sen. Daley has begun to carve out his own accomplishments in state government, emerging as a genuine force in the Senate.

His endorsement of Sen. Phil J. Rock (D., Chicago) appeared to clinch the Senate presidency for Rock, just as Sen. Daley's opposition of Rock helped elect former Sen. Thomas C. Hynes (D., Chicago) president two years ago. In Chicago that is called clout.

February 1979/Illinois Issues/10


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