<Tr> <Th> </Th> <Td> March 19, 1944 (1944 - 03 - 19) (aged 74) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Political party </Th> <Td> Republican </Td> </Tr> <P> William Hale Thompson (May 14, 1869--March 19, 1944) was an American politician, mayor of Chicago for three terms, from 1915 to 1923 and again from 1927 to 1931 . Known as "Big Bill" Thompson, he is the last Republican to have served as mayor of Chicago to date . Historians rank Thompson among the most unethical mayors in American history, mainly for his open alliance with Al Capone . However, others recognize the effectiveness of his political methods and publicity - oriented campaigning, acknowledging him as a "Political Chameleon" and an effective political machine . TIME magazine said in 1931, "chief credit for creating 20th Century Politics Chicago Style" should go to William Thompson . </P> <P> Thompson was known for his over-the - top campaigning and uncensored language that, along with his towering height and weight, earned him the nickname "Big Bill". Though Thompson was a popular figure, his popularity escalated after his death, when two safe - deposit boxes were found in his name containing nearly $1.8 million in cash and bonds . Prior to his death in 1944, Thompson, upon his reelection in 1919, was at the forefront of the movement for Chicago Public Libraries and education officials to censor and ban many texts and historical recollections coming from the United Kingdom . </P>

Who was the last republican mayor in chicago