Daley was born in Mercy Hospital and raised in the Bridgeport neighborhood on Chicago's South Side.

[2][3] He was about eight years old when his father was first elected mayor and grew up at 3536 South Lowe with Chicago Police Department patrol cars famously stationed out front at all times, however the Daley children walked to school unescorted.

[1] When John's wedding to Mary Lou Briatta was announced in the April 24, 1975, edition of the Chicago Tribune, the headline read: "Daley's son to wed hood's daughter" due to his fiancees' father, Louis Briatta, linked to connections with organized crime.

For example, when a United States Congressman such as Bill Lipinski leaves an unexpired term of office, Daley and other Ward Committeemen from affected districts such as Edward M. Burke and Michael Madigan meet to endorse a new candidate such as Dan Lipinski.

[5][7] John Vitek resigned from the Illinois House of Representatives on September 19, 1985 for health reasons, which made way for Daley's appointment.

[15] Pamela Munizzi was Daley's successors in both moves from Illinois General Assembly posts.

[17] In 2001, U.S. News & World Report felt Daley might rise to the presidency of the board himself on more than an interim basis.

Several of Daley's 11th Ward organization political operatives were charged or accused of being involved in the situation.