When I think you look back in history as to where this city was in the 40’s and early 50’s and where it came out in 1976, it’s the city that it is now, and it’s set up now to only become a better city. And I think that foundation is what was started with my grandfather, and continued on with other mayors. But I think if those accomplishments hadn’t occurred during that time period you wouldn’t want to see what the alternative would be. So that pretty much sums up what I am most proud of.
Mark G. Vanecko, grandson of Richard J. Daley, interview excerpt, July 9, 2014

Mayor Richard J. Daley at a podium. Photo: László Kondor. MSLASZ13_0002_0010_020
Overall, I’d give him an “A” for being the mayor. My test would be to compare Chicago with other major cities. Look around the country at major urban centers, during the sixties, seventies, and what happened. Clearly, if you look at New York, Detroit, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Cleveland, Chicago came through those years much better than anybody else. And I attribute that, for the most part, to the mayor. So I’d give him an “A” on that.
Newton Minow, Chair of Federal Communications Commission, 1961-1963, interview excerpt, October 2, 2003