History of Chicago upper income Americans continued to move from the city for better housing and schools in the suburbs. Office building resumed in the 1960s. When completed in 1974, the Sears Tower, now known as the Willis Tower, at 1451 feet was the world's tallest building. It was designed by the famous Chicago firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, which designed many of the city's famous buildings. Mayor Richard J. Daley served 1955–1976, dominating the city's machine politics by his control of the Cook County Democratic Central Committee, which selected party nominees, who were usually elected in the Democratic stronghold. Daley took
Chase Tower (Chicago) and Monroe streets. Before the building was constructed, the Morrison Hotel, on its former site, was demolished in 1965. The building first opened in 1969 as First National Plaza. When constructed, it was the headquarters of First Chicago Corporation. In 1998, it became the headquarters for Bank One Corporation, and accordingly it was renamed Bank One Tower, The current name dates from October 24, 2005, after Bank One merged with Chase. Chase's retail bank division is based in the tower. Since May 2005 the National Public Radio show "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" is taped on Thursday nights before a