WBEZ Archives: Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne’s 1979 State Of The City Address

Jane Byrne smiles as election returns come in at her campaign headquarters in Chicago, Feb. 28, 1979. The maverick Mrs. Byrne defeated incumbent mayor Michael A. Bilandic in the city’s Democratic primary election.
Jane Byrne smiles as election returns come in at her campaign headquarters in Chicago, Feb. 28, 1979. The maverick Mrs. Byrne defeated incumbent mayor Michael A. Bilandic in the city's Democratic primary election. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell)
Jane Byrne smiles as election returns come in at her campaign headquarters in Chicago, Feb. 28, 1979. The maverick Mrs. Byrne defeated incumbent mayor Michael A. Bilandic in the city's Democratic primary election. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell)
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Jane Byrne smiles as election returns come in at her campaign headquarters in Chicago, Feb. 28, 1979. The maverick Mrs. Byrne defeated incumbent mayor Michael A. Bilandic in the city’s Democratic primary election.
Jane Byrne smiles as election returns come in at her campaign headquarters in Chicago, Feb. 28, 1979. The maverick Mrs. Byrne defeated incumbent mayor Michael A. Bilandic in the city's Democratic primary election. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell)
Jane Byrne smiles as election returns come in at her campaign headquarters in Chicago, Feb. 28, 1979. The maverick Mrs. Byrne defeated incumbent mayor Michael A. Bilandic in the city's Democratic primary election. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell)
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WBEZ Archives: Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne’s 1979 State Of The City Address

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Originally aired November 16, 1979

In her inaugural State of the City Address, Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne (1979–1983) unveiled the 1980 budget which introduced more than 700 layoffs and contained 1500 fewer positions than what was appropriated for in the 1979 budget for a $25 million savings.