Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven - The Death of Art

Lore & Background

The Outfit rose to power in the 1920s under the control of Johnny Torrio and Al Capone, and the period was marked by bloody gang wars for control of the distribution of illegal alcohol during Prohibition. The Outfit's power was solidified by Capone's leadership, consolidating the family into the larger American Mafia. Since then, the Outfit has been involved in a wide range of criminal activities, including loansharking, illegal gambling, prostitution, extortion, political corruption and murder. Capone was convicted of income tax evasion in 1931 and the Outfit was next run by Paul Ricca. Ricca and Tony Accardo shared power from 1943 until Ricca's death in 1972; Accardo became the sole power in the Outfit upon Ricca's death and was one of the longest-sitting bosses of all time upon his death in 1992. The family's longest-serving 'Official' boss was Joey Aiuppa, serving from 1971 until 1986, though he reportedly cleared all highest-level decisions through Anthony Accardo, as official Consigliere.

In Their Own Story

Rain drummed a steady rhythm on the hood of Tommy's black sedan as he pulled up to the theater. The marquee's neon buzz bled through the drizzle, spelling out "The Death of Art" in flickering red. Inside, the warm haze of cigarette smoke and the crackle of a silent comedy filled the air—the audience roared at a pratfall, blissfully ignorant. Tommy slid into a balcony seat, the leather cold through his coat. He spotted the Morello capo three rows ahead, laughing, a cigar clenched between his teeth. The silenced pistol coughed once, a sound swallowed by the audience's next wave of laughter. The capo slumped forward; a woman beside him screamed a beat too late. Tommy was already moving, down the service stairs, through the kitchen's greasy steam, and out into the alley where the sirens were just beginning to wail.

Reader's Guide

The Outfit has never had a complete monopoly on organized crime in Chicago, but it has long been the largest, most powerful and most violent criminal organization in Chicago and the Midwest in general. The organization is considered one of the most violent Mafia families in the United States, having committed over 1,000 murders since the 1920s. Unlike other Mafia factions such as the Five Families of New York City, the Outfit has been a unified faction since its conception. Its influence at its peak stretched as far as California, Florida and Nevada and it continues to operate throughout the Midwestern United States and South Florida, as well as Las Vegas and other parts of the Southwestern United States. Heightened law enforcement attention and general attrition have led to its gradual decline since the late 20th century, though it continues to be one of the major and most active organized crime groups in the Chicago metropolitan area and the Midwest.

Did You Know?

• The Outfit originated in the early 1910s on Chicago's South Side.
• Al Capone was convicted of income tax evasion in 1931.
• The Outfit has committed over 1,000 murders since the 1920s.
• The Outfit has been a unified faction since its conception, unlike the Five Families of New York City.

Origins and Early Consolidation

The roots of the Chicago Outfit trace back to the chaotic street gangs and Black Hand organizations that fragmented the city's South and North Sides during the late nineteenth century. A crucial element of Colosimo's early success was his cultivation of deep political ties; serving as a precinct captain and later acting as a bagman in the Levee District allowed him to secure blanket protection for his illicit operations. This strategic alliance with local politicians laid the groundwork for the organization's future dominance, transforming a collection of rival crews into a more cohesive entity capable of controlling vice activities across various Chicago neighborhoods before the era of Prohibition fully reshaped the landscape.

The Torrio-Capone Era and Cicero

While Torrio initially sought negotiation with rivals like Dean O'Banion's North Side Gang, political pressure from Mayor William Dever forced the organization to relocate operations to the suburbs. Through the corruption of city manager Joseph Z. Klenha, the gang established a fortress of brothels and speakeasies. Although this resulted in the death of Frank Capone during police intervention, the strategy secured local immunity for the organization throughout the 1930s, cementing Capone's role as Torrio's right-hand man.

Leadership Succession and Internal Structure

Unlike other factions that suffered from internal fragmentation, this family maintained a unified command structure from its inception. This unique hierarchy allowed the Outfit to navigate law enforcement scrutiny more effectively than many rivals. Their criminal portfolio expanded beyond alcohol to include loansharking, illegal gambling, prostitution, and political corruption, solidifying their reputation as one of the most violent families in the United States with over a thousand murders attributed to them since the 1920s.

Geographic Reach and Modern Decline

At its zenith, the Chicago Outfit exerted influence far beyond Illinois, stretching into California, Florida, Nevada, and Las Vegas. Despite never holding a complete monopoly on organized crime in Chicago, it remained the largest and most powerful criminal organization in the Midwest for decades. The group's operational reach included various street crews controlling specific territories such as Elmwood Park, Melrose Park, and Chinatown. However, heightened law enforcement attention and general attrition since the late twentieth century have led to a gradual decline in their power. Despite this reduction, the Outfit continues to operate as one of the major active organized crime groups within the Chicago metropolitan area and the broader Midwest. Its legacy remains defined by its ability to function as a unified faction while adapting to changing legal landscapes, maintaining a significant presence in South Florida and parts of the Southwest even as its overall footprint has contracted.