To pay for Chicago’s services, Daley secured funds from a variety of sources. He used the city’s taxing authority when necessary, but he also wanted to ensure Chicago retained control of how that money was spent. That part of his job became easier when the new Illinois Constitution of 1970 granted home rule status to the city. Home rule meant that Chicago enjoyed greater discretion of when and how to tax, regulate, and perform certain services.

Richard J. Daley listening to a speaker at the Illinois General Assembly. This photo was likely taken in 1950, five years before he became mayor. RJD_04_01_0047_0006_026
So the mayor wanted to keep Chicago’s taxing authority and Chicago’s ability to regulate independent of the General Assembly. So rather than trying to pass off responsibility to suburban communities or to county government, he wanted to centralize control in the city of Chicago….He didn’t want municipal functions to be broadened out into the region or the county. He wasn’t trying to save taxpayers money by diverting responsibilities for the various city functions to the broader governmental agencies.
Ray Simon, Corporation Counsel City of Chicago, interview excerpt, June 30, 2010