<P> William Hale Thompson ( May 14 , 1869 -- March 19 , 1944 ) was an American politician , mayor of Chicago for three terms , from 1915 to 1923 and again from 1927 to 1931 . Known as `` Big Bill '' Thompson , he is the last Republican to have served as mayor of Chicago to date . Historians rank Thompson among the most unethical mayors in American history , mainly for his open alliance with Al Capone . However , others recognize the effectiveness of his political methods and publicity - oriented campaigning , acknowledging him as a `` Political Chameleon '' and an effective political machine . TIME magazine said in 1931 , `` chief credit for creating 20th Century Politics Chicago Style '' should go to William Thompson . </P>
<P> William Hale Thompson ( May 14 , 1869 -- March 19 , 1944 ) was an American politician , mayor of Chicago for three terms , from 1915 to 1923 and again from 1927 to 1931 . Known as `` Big Bill '' Thompson , he is the last Republican to have served as mayor of Chicago to date . Historians rank Thompson among the most unethical mayors in American history , mainly for his open alliance with Al Capone . However , others recognize the effectiveness of his political methods and publicity - oriented campaigning , acknowledging him as a `` Political Chameleon '' and an effective political machine . TIME magazine said in 1931 , `` chief credit for creating 20th Century Politics Chicago Style '' should go to William Thompson . </P>
who was the last republican mayor in chicago
who was the last republican mayor in chicago
William Hale Thompson
William Hale Thompson