Two years later , the city hosted the tumultuous 1968 Democratic National Convention , which featured physical confrontations both inside and outside the convention hall , with anti-war protesters , journalists and bystanders being beaten by police . Major construction projects , including the Sears Tower ( now known as the Willis Tower , which in 1974 became the world 's tallest building ) , University of Illinois at Chicago , McCormick Place , and O'Hare International Airport , were undertaken during Richard J. Daley 's tenure . In 1979 , Jane Byrne , the city 's first female mayor , was elected . She was notable for temporarily moving into the crime-ridden Cabrini-Green housing project and for leading Chicago 's school system out of a financial crisis
1968 Democratic National Convention
1968 Democratic National Convention
Chicago