Civic Federation (Chicago, Ill.)

The Civic Federation of Chicago was founded in 1894 in response to municipal political corruption and poor quality city services. Lyman Gage, the president of First National Bank of Chicago was named President, Bertha Palmer was Vice-President and Jane Addams, a trustee. The Civic Federation's goal was to make Chicago "the best governed, the healthiest and the cleanest city in the country." The Federation was originally organized into six committees: philanthropic, moral, industrial, educational and municipal. It tackled such problems as gambling houses, food inspection, and garbage collection. By 1917, the federation began to focus on municipal spending and taxation. The organization continues to "promote efficiency and economy in the organization and management of public business."

From the description of Records, 1918-1960. (University of Illinois-Chicago Library). WorldCat record id: 52535532

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