  We first obtain finiteness properties for the collection of closed normal
subgroups of a compactly generated locally compact group. Via these properties,
every compactly generated locally compact group admits an essentially chief
series - i.e. a finite normal series in which each factor is compact, discrete,
or a topological chief factor. Additionally, a Jordan-H\"{o}lder theorem holds
for the `large' factors in an essentially chief series.
