Prohibition

Chicago's long-time Republican mayor and permanently on the take, Big Bill Thompson made sure gangsters like Johnny Torrio and Al Capone had little to fear from the law. In 1927 he decided to run again, promising an end to police raids that seemed only to affect thirsty working people and leave the big-shots untouched. Capone gave Thompson an estimated quarter of a million dollars to run his campaign and Thompson won by a landslide.

“When I’m elected we will not only reopen places these people have closed,but we’ll open ten thousand new ones…. No copper will invade your home and fan your mattress for a hip flask.” Big Bill Thompson

Source: Chicago History Museum