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This is a revised, expanded, and re-recorded version of an episode that was originally released in 2020.

William "Big Bill" Thompson was a larger-than-life character who served as Chicago mayor for three terms and is viewed as one of the most corrupt politicians this great city has ever seen.

Robert Loerzel's piece on Eugene Williams in the August 2019 Chicago Magazine:
https://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/August-2019/Searching-for-Eugene-Williams/

Show your love of this podcast for the cost of a coffee:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chicagohistory

Further reading (purchasing these items through these links help support our efforts at no additional cost to you):

City of Scoundrels: The 12 Days of Disaster That Gave Birth To Modern Chicago by Gary Krist
Paperback - https://amzn.to/42sfVya
Kindle - https://amzn.to/40KwjZh

Big Bill of Chicago by Lloyd Wendt and Herman Kogan
Paperback - https://amzn.to/4ggZOqe

Big Bill Thompson, Chicago, and The Politics of Image by Douglas Bukowski
Paperback - https://amzn.to/4hvIMG1

Al Capone's Beer Wars: A Complete History of Organized Crime in Chicago During Prohibition by John J. Binder
Hardcover - https://amzn.to/4aSKXB7

Chicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod AT gmail.com):

Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider (angeleyesartjks AT gmail.com)

Academy Award® Nominee for Best Original Screenplay, SEPTEMBER 5 is now on Digital.

Based on true events at the 1972 Olympics and the hostage crisis that changed media coverage forever.

Starring Peter Sarsgaard, John Magaro, Ben Chaplin, and Leonie Benesch. BUY OR RENT SEPTEMBER 5 on Fandango at Home NOW! Rated PG. From Paramount Pictures.

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