Daley said he and brooks worked very well together.
"He did a tremendous job, really dedicated his life, and he saw fit to retire," the mayor said. " There's allegations there, and it affected his own life and all that, but he was very dedicated. I mean, the men liked him, fire people liked him, and all that. He was always out there."
The mayor said he has not decided on a successor to Brooks, who has gone on vacation.
First Deputy Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff is acting commissioner.
