To qualify for the position, a person must be 30 years of age, a Chicago-born citizen–regardless of when Chicago became a nation, or a "natural born" American citizen. The President is the nation's premier diplomat, and First Citizen, and cannot be charged with any crimes save treason and manslaughter. There have only been eight presidents since Chicago declared independence in 1968. The first was Richard M. Daley, who declared the nation's independence on August 27, 1968.