Citizens Association of Chicago Records

Biography/Profile

The Citizens' Association of Chicago was founded in 1874, following a second great Chicago fire that swept through the heart of the city. Desperate for adequate fire protection, citizens organized the association with this purpose: "to insure a more perfect administration in our Municipal affairs; to promote the general welfare and prosperity of the City; to protect citizens so far as possible, against the evils of careless and corrupt legislation; to effect the prompt enforcement and execution of the law; to correct existing abuses, and to prevent their recurrence."

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The first work of the organization was to secure Chicago against further disaster from fire. The Association engaged engineers and with their aid, laid the foundations of the water system and fire department of present day Chicago.

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The organization turned its efforts toward cleansing the city politically. Beginning in 1875, the Citizens' Action Committee conducted reform campaigns against ballot-stuffing, for a pure water supply, and for the construction of a drainage canal. It uncovered corruption on the County Board, fought for civil service reform, and was instrumental in organizing and launching the Civil Service Reform Association of Chicago.

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In 1901, the Association created the Legislative Voter's League to secure what it thought would be better representation for Cook County in the state legislature. The Association also turned its efforts toward exposing graft in the Sanitary Bureau of the Chicago Health Department and to the Chicago Police Department.

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In 1906, the Association campaigned to halt corruption in the county fee offices. A clerk of the Circuit Court and a Clerk of the Superior Court were sent to the penitentiary and thousands of taxpayer dollars were recovered. In the county jail, the sheriff was found to be making a large illegal profit from "dieting" the prisoners, and this abuse was terminated. There followed an active campaign throughout the state to call a Constitutional Convention. The goals of this campaign included a shorter ballot, tax reform, abolition of cumulative voting for legislators, consolidation of taxing bodies, and adequate charter powers for the city.

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In 1919, the Association won legislation from the Illinois General Assembly that required the Treasurer of Cook County to account for and pay into the county treasury all interest earned on public monies in his keeping.