Daley Now Chicago Mayor 1 Day Longer Than Father

CHICAGO (AP) — Richard M. Daley has surpassed his father's tenure and become the longest-serving mayor of Chicago.

Daley marked the milestone Sunday with 7,917 days in office, or 21 years and eight months. That's one day more than his father's 7,916 days.

Richard J. Daley died in office in 1976. His son was elected in 1989.

Edward Bedore was budget director for both Daleys. He tells the Chicago Sun-Times that the senior Daley "was a builder" and his son "completed the house."

The Sears Tower, now known as the Willis Tower, McCormick Place convention center and O'Hare International Airport were built under the first Daley.

His son made the city more environmentally friendly and helped create Millennium Park.