Editing Michael Kenna (politician) (section)

===Lord of the Levee===
[[File:South_Dearborn_Street,_Chicago,_c._1911.jpg|thumb|South [[Dearborn Street]] in the Levee, c. 1911. The Everleigh Club is to the far right.]]
The 1st Ward was home to a vice district known as "[[the Levee, Chicago|the Levee]]", which was named for a nearby wharf and contained some of the best-known brothels in Chicago. Among the brothels in the area was the [[Everleigh Club]] owned by the eponymous Everleigh sisters who had arrived from Omaha.{{sfn|Wendt|Kogan|p=283|ps=none}} It was well known internationally for its opulence and sex workers to the point where it was a point of pride for many Chicagoans.{{sfn|Wendt|Kogan|p=284|ps=none}} The club, Kenna, and Coughlin were inexorably linked in the imagination of people around the world.{{sfn|Wendt|Kogan|p=285|ps=none}} It was an important source of protection money for the two aldermen; one of the sisters stated that she had paid Coughlin over $100,000{{efn|${{Inflation|USD|100000|1909|2018|fmt=c|r=-4}} in 2018}} over the course of 12 years,{{sfn|Wendt|Kogan|p=viii|ps=none}} and Kenna and Coughlin ended up collecting over $15 million in graft from the Levee.{{sfn|Wendt|Kogan|p=viii|ps=none}}

After the events of 1895, Kenna and Coughlin were particularly conscious of the need for a cash flow to finance their endeavors.{{sfn|Wendt|Kogan|p=153|ps=none}} They were discussing ideas at the Workingmen's Exchange shortly before Christmas when they stumbled on an idea.{{sfn|Wendt|Kogan|p=153|ps=none}} A party had been held annually for "Lame Jimmy", a disabled musician in Carrie Watson's establishment, since the late 1880s.{{sfn|Wendt|Kogan|p=153|ps=none}} These parties were initially held in what would become Freiberg's Hall on east 22nd Street (modern-day [[Cermak Road]]),{{sfn|Wendt|Kogan|p=153|ps=none}} and were marked by joy and peace with policemen being honored guests.{{sfn|Wendt|Kogan|p=154|ps=none}} However, a confrontation between police officers at the 1895 event resulted in an outcry against the event and it was banned.{{sfn|Wendt|Kogan|p=154|ps=none}} Realizing the potential in such an event, Coughlin suggested that the duo revive it under their tutelage.{{sfn|Wendt|Kogan|p=154|ps=none}} Although Kenna was not particularly keen on the idea, he figured it was not worth the trouble to stop Coughlin from pursuing it.{{sfn|Wendt|Kogan|p=154|ps=none}}

What resulted was the [[First Ward Ball]], an annual fundraiser which quickly exceeded the excesses of the Lame Jimmy parties.{{sfn|Wendt|Kogan|p=155|ps=none}} The inaugural ball was held at the 7th Regiment Armory.{{sfn|Wendt|Kogan|p=155|ps=none}} Known as Coughlin's "Derby", it continued to grow in the early 20th century.{{sfn|Wendt|Kogan|p=268|ps=none}} Its reputation grew such that public pressure forced Mayor [[Fred Busse]] to withhold its liquor license in 1909; an event was still held at the Coliseum, but only 3,000 people attended.{{sfn|Wendt|Kogan|p=289|ps=none}}

Upon his election as mayor in 1915, Thompson opened up the city to vice and liquor.{{sfn|Wendt|Kogan|p=328|ps=none}} However, it was clear that Thompson controlled these areas, and the duo's rule over the ward remained insecure.{{sfn|Wendt|Kogan|p=328|ps=none}} In particular, [[Big Jim Colosimo]], who was a trusted precinct captain,{{sfn|Lindberg|p=160|ps=none}} started to surpass Coughlin and Kenna and would soon take over representing the interests of vice.{{sfn|Wendt|Kogan|p=329|ps=none}} Within the ward the two were nevertheless safe as Thompson refused to challenge them directly, Colosimo remained on good enough terms with them, and the relief of vice obligations allowed them to concentrate on other matters.{{sfn|Wendt|Kogan|p=330|ps=none}} Both Kenna and Coughlin were present at Colosimo's funeral in 1920.{{sfn|Lindberg|p=160|ps=none}}