Byrne, Jane

Byrne, Jane, 1934–, American politician, b. Chicago as Margaret Jane Burke. She was Chicago's consumer sales commissioner (1968–77) under Mayor Richard Daley before she became the first woman to win election (1979) as mayor of the city. During Byrne's single term, the city faced severe financial problems. In 1983 she ran for reelection but lost the Democratic primary to Harold Washington.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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