Chicagoans Line Up To Say Farewell -- Quickly -- To Mayor Daley
CHICAGO (CBS/WBBM) -– The door was wide open into Mayor Daley's office Monday as thousands of Chicagoans got a chance to tell him goodbye after his 22 years in office.
People waited in long lines to be ushered in for a quick picture with Daley.
These were fast-moving goodbyes, but the mayor seemed determined to meet as many people as possible.
Some came in T-shirts, others in suits and ties -- all preparing their final good-bye to Chicago's longest-serving Mayor.
"He's been such a good Mayor and I just want to be sure he gets off on the right foot. I want to wish him luck," Lillian Jaros told CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez.
They filled elevator after elevator, some carrying keepsakes to share.
Some, like Sam Sianis of the famous Billy Goat Tavern, had already met the mayor before. Others, like Bob Dietz, have worked for him.
But most of the folks getting their photos snapped -- each spending about 5 seconds with Daley -- said they're just life-long Chicagoans who felt a need to say thanks.
"He has done a great job. I really appreciate everything that he's done," Zenobia Scott said.
"I'm an emotional person," a teary-eyed Ann Marie Frederick said. "But it's a wonderful thing, and I hope he and Maggie have years together of happiness."
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No cameras were allowed, but the city hall photographer snapped the shots, will be available online in two days.
Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel will be sworn into office next Monday.
