Michael A. Bilandic (appointed) Democratic Michael A. Bilandic Democratic The Chicago mayoral election of 1977 was a special election held on June 7, 1977, to complete the remainder of the unexpired mayoral term of Richard J. Daley who died of a heart attack in December 1976.

Bliandic defeated Republican city council member Dennis H. Block by a landslide 56% margin.

After the death in office of Richard J. Daley on December 20, 1976, Bilandic had been selected by the Chicago City Council to serve as acting mayor for six months until an election would be held.

On December 24, Bilandic told alderman and other city hall leaders that he would not be competing in the upcoming special election for the remainder of Daley's term.

This was despite having promised during negotiations that secured his appointment as acting mayor that he would not run in the special election.

[4] Minor candidates in the primary were lawyers Anthony R. Martin-Trigona and Ellis E. Reid, the latter of whom was African American.

[5] Wanting to be seen by voters as a competent administrator and chief executive, Bilandic refused to be drawn into controversy and largely ignored his opponents.

[5] The Washington Post noted that, largely absent from the discourse of the primary, had been the issues of industries leaving the city, public transport, the quality of schools, and racial integration.

[5] The Republican nomination was captured by 48th ward alderman Dennis H. Block, who had originally was supportive of Bilandic's interim mayoralty before the incumbent mayor reneged on his pledge not to run for a full term.

[10][11] Block was urged by Governor James R. Thompson to run for mayor so as not to leave the office in the hands of the Democrats.