After college, she worked for American Airlines at O'Hare International Airport, and spent her time near Rush Street, where she met her husband, Vince Daley, a bartender.

On June 29, 2003, early in Daley's second term, in the 43rd ward, an overloaded balcony collapsed during a party in an apartment building, killing thirteen people and seriously injuring fifty-seven others.

[10][11] After receiving complaints about the increase in the size and "viciousness" of anti-abortion protests from a Near North Side Planned Parenthood, Daley introduced a Bubble zone ordinance that was successfully passed on October 7, 2010.

[12] Alderman Daley was recognized for her work in passing the "Bubble Zone" ordinance by Planned Parenthood of Illinois at their annual Roe v. Wade anniversary celebration.

[13] Sex researcher, columnist and book author Debby Herbenick, Master of Ceremonies noted, "The fact that people are physically and/or emotionally harassed when simply seeking the health care to which we are all entitled is frightening, and that's why this ordinance is such an important victory.

"[13] The law has been challenged on Constitutional grounds by both pro-lifers and the American Civil Liberties Union[14] Alderman Daley served on the City Council Committee on Historical Landmark Preservation.

The Armitage-Halsted District was designated a Chicago Landmark on February 5, 2003, and features bay windows and corner turrets with conical roofs.