About Michael A. Bilandic
Michael Anthony Bilandic was an American Democratic politician, judge, and attorney who served as the 49th mayor of Chicago from 1976 to 1979, after the death of his predecessor, Richard J. Daley. Bilandic practiced law in Chicago for several years, having graduated from the DePaul University College of Law. Bilandic served as an alderman in Chicago City Council, representing the eleventh ward on the south-west side from June 1969 until he began his tenure as mayor in December 1976. After his mayoralty, Bilandic served on the Illinois Appellate Court from 1984 until being elected to the Illinois Supreme Court in 1990. He served on the state supreme court until 2000, and was the court’s chief Justice from 1994 to 1997. Bilandic joined the United States Marine Corps during World War II in 1943, serving as first lieutenant until 1945. The compromise also included satisfying the city's grouping of Polish American aldermen by naming Casey Laskowski (a member of the council's Polish American bloc) to serve in the newly-created role of vice mayor. After college, Bilandic returned to Chicago and became involved in political work.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.