Jane Byrne's daughter talks about possible honor for mom

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Kathy Byrne talked about the growing support for honoring her mother.

Kathy Byrne is Jane Byrne's only child. She says she and her mom are thrilled that after all these years the former mayor is finally getting some recognition. Several aldermen signed onto a series of resolutions in City Hall Wednesday that would name a Chicago building or place after Byrne.

History is not forgotten in her office - a mayoral gavel, a campaign sign and a picture with the pope are mementos Kathy Byrne is proud to have. After all, her mother, Jane Byrne, was Chicago's first and only female mayor.

"I've had countless people come up and say, 'I had no idea the orange was your mom's idea.' The museum campus was a Byrne administration plan," Kathy Byrne said.

And the list goes on. Kathy Byrne says Taste of Chicago, Jazz Fest, Blues Fest and O'Hare's international terminal were all her mother's ideas. Bitter political feuds combined with a feisty style left Jane Byrne erased from Chicago's memory, while other mayors have gotten their due. Missing from Chicago's landscape is any building, street, park, memorial or plaque named after Jane Byrne.

"The difficulty would be perhaps she met someone, a young girl, who had no idea there had ever been a Jane Byrne who was mayor," said Kathy Byrne.

But that could change. Jane Byrne's longtime political ally, Alderman Ed Burke, unveiled a series of resolutions to rename either Buckingham Fountain, O'hare's international terminal, Water Tower Plaza or Navy Pier's Grand Ballroom after Byrne.

"I think many believe time for action is now, we can't delay, is long overdue," Burke said.

"I'm thrilled, absolutely thrilled. This is something that amazes me it finally happened," said Kathy Byrne.

Kathy Byrne says her mom is not bitter about the past, just excited about being recognized in the future, both say Water Tower Plaza would be a nice tribute since Byrne could see it from her home window when she was mayor.

"It was always a source of inspiration to her, a long time ago that is the neighborhood that my family lived in, that would be a real special thing," Kathy Byrne said.

Although, Kathy Byrne says, her family welcomes any idea that City Council approves. Jane Byrne is now 81 years old and in poor health. Kathy says her mom suffered a substantial stroke last year. The last time Jane Byrne was seen in public was at Rahm Emanuel's inauguration in 2011.