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William Hale Thompson

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Mr Thompson Republican Nominee for Chicago Mayor. Sub Judge Lyle

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Former Chicago mayor Big Bill Thompson celebrates his 1931 Republican primary victory

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Former mayor Big Bill Thompson welcomes aviation legend Charles Lindbergh to Chicago

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Chicago To Springfield: Gov. Len Small and Mayor Big Bill Thompson

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Who Was The Last Republican Mayor Of Chicago?

William Hale Thompson was an American politician, mayor of Chicago for three terms, from 1915 to 1923 and again from 1927 to 1931. Known as "Big Bill" Thompson, he is the last Republican to have served as mayor of Chicago to date. Historians rank Thompson among the most unethical mayors in American history, mainly for his open alliance with Al Capone. However, others recognize the effectiveness of his political methods and publicity-oriented campaigning, acknowledging him as a "Political Chameleon" and an effective political machine. TIME magazine said in 1931, "chief credit for creating 20th Century Politics Chicago Style" should go to William Thompson.