I don't know much about NY but Chicago's power at its height was staggering--and I am the farthest thing from a fan. But it not only controlled Vegas and had great influence in Hollywood, it's grip on the city was appalling. We had alderman who were literally made guys and countless politicians, judges other elected officials and cops on the take. During the Giancana era there is an overwhelming amount of evidence that the Outfit basically got JFK elected by swinging Illinois. I didn't believe it but after reading several books its fairly hard to deny.

I realize a lot of the Vegas and Hollywood stuff was done in tandem w/ NY, I believe, as well as a lot of the union stuff. So it gets blurry.