The Loop District in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Michael A. Bilandic

1923-2002

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 18, 2023

1. Michael A. Bilandic Building Marker

Inscription. Chicago City Council, 1969-1976
Mayor of the City of Chicago, 1976-1979
Illinois First District Appellate Court, 1984-1990
Illinois Supreme Court, 1990-2000
Chief Justice, Illinois Supreme Court, 1994-1997

Erected 2003 by State of Illinois.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Political Subdivisions. A significant historical year for this entry is 1976.

Location. 41° 53.076′ N, 87° 37.984′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. It is on West Randolph Street west of La Salle Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is next to the door on the building's Randolph Street entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 160 North La Salle Street, Chicago IL 60601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest

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Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Freeform (within shouting distance of this marker); Trustees System Service Building (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Illinois Bell Telephone Company War Memorial (about 600 feet away); Washington Block (about 600 feet away); Burnham Center (about 700 feet away); Lake-Franklin Group (about 700 feet away); Daley Center (about 800 feet away); Augustus Garrett (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. The top of the marker includes a faded photo of Bilandic. Rod Blagojevich, who served as Illinois governor from 2003 until his impeachment in 2009, is noted at the bottom of the plaque as having dedicated it.

Regarding Michael A. Bilandic. Michael Bilandic was a Chicago alderman representing a South Side ward when long-time Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley died in office in December 1976. After a week of contentious negotiations, City Council selected Bilandic to serve as the temporary mayor replacing Daley, until a special election could be held about

Michael A. Bilandic Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn

2. Michael A. Bilandic Marker

"State of Illinois Building" is etched over the doorway.

six months later to select someone to finish the final two years of Daley's term. Although Bilandic had pledged not to run in that special election, he changed his tune soon after taking office, and ended up running in the Democratic primary, where he received a majority of the vote. He won the general election easily in June 1977. Bilandic's term was dragged down by a variety of issues, capped by the Blizzard of '79. The January 13-14 storm dumped more than two feet of snow on Chicago, brought the city to a standstill, and then had lingering effects for almost two months later. The snow had still not melted on February 27 when Bilandic lost the Democratic primary race to upstart candidate Jane Byrne, whom Bilandic had fired as consumer affairs chief in 1977. Bilandic was elected to the Illinois Appellate Court in 1984 and the Illinois Supreme Court in 1990, and served as chief justice of the high court for a few years. Bilandic died of heart failure in 2002 at age 78.

The Bilandic Building was built in 1920 and was originally known as the State of Illinois Building. It served as the state's main offices in Chicago (Illinois' largest

Michael A. Bilandic Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn

3. Michael A. Bilandic Building and Marker

The Loop "L" train can be seen in this west-facing view down Randolph Street.

city) until the 1985 completion of the State of Illinois Center (later the James R. Thompson Center) across the street and became a state office annex. The Thompson Center was sold in 2022 to Google, which is (as of January 2025) in the process of converting that building into that company's Chicago headquarters. The Bilandic Building still houses offices and courtrooms for the state courts, legislative offices and several state agencies.

Also see . . .
1. Chicago Public Library: Michael A. Bilandic Biography. (Submitted on January 31, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Michael A. Bilandic Building. (Submitted on January 31, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Michael A. Bilandic Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 25, 2025

4. Michael A. Bilandic Building

The marker is on the left (west) side of the building.

Michael A. Bilandic Marker at the southwest entrance into the building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 25, 2025

5. Michael A. Bilandic Marker at the southwest entrance into the building

Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 263 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 31, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4, 5. submitted on March 25, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.