Harold Washington

Harold Lee Washington (April 15, 1922-November 25, 1987) was a lawyer, legislator, and the first African-American Mayor of Chicago, Illinois serving from 1983 until his death in 1987.

Mayor of Chicago (1983-1987)

In the 1983 Democratic mayoral primary, community organizers registered more than 100,000 new African-American voters, while the white vote was split between the incumbent mayor Jane Byrne and the other challenger, Richard M. Daley, son of the late Mayor Richard J. Daley. Washington won with 37% of the vote, vs. 33% for Byrne and 30% for Daley.

Related Topics:
Jane Byrne - Richard M. Daley - Richard J. Daley

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Although winning the Democratic primary is normally tantamount to election in heavily-Democratic Chicago, after his primary victory Washington found that his Republican opponent, Bernard Epton--earlier considered a nominal stand-in--was supported by many white Democrats and ward organizations, including the chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party, Alderman Edward "Fast Eddie" Vrdolyak ("Ver-doh-lee-ack"). Epton's campaign referred to, among other things, Harold Washington's conviction for failure to file income tax returns. However, Washington appealed to his constituency in his mayoral campaign and stressed such things as reforming the Chicago patronage system and a need for a jobs program in a tight economy. In the spring of 1983, Washington defeated Epton by less than 4% of the vote to become mayor of Chicago.

Related Topics:
Bernard Epton - Edward "Fast Eddie" Vrdolyak - Income tax - Campaign - Mayor

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Washington's first term in office was characterized by ugly, racially polarized battles dubbed "Council Wars" (referring to the then-recent Star Wars films), in which a 29-21 City Council majority refused to enact Washington's reform legislation, and prevented him from appointing reform nominees to boards and commissions.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The '29' (also known as the 'Vrdolyak 29') was led by "The Eddies" -- Alderman Ed Vrdolyak, Finance Chair Edward Burke, and Parks Commissioner Edmund Kelly -- and supported by State Attorney Richard M. Daley, U.S. Congressman William Lipinski, U.S. Congressan Dan Rostenkowski, and other powerful white Democrats.

Related Topics:
Edward Burke - Edmund Kelly - Richard M. Daley - William Lipinski - Dan Rostenkowski

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Washington ruled by veto. The 29 could never quite muster the 30th vote they needed to override Washington's veto; African-American, Latino, and white liberal aldermen supported Washington despite pressure from The Eddies. Meanwhile, in the courts, Washington kept the pressure on to reverse the redistricting of City Council wards that white Democrats had pushed through during the Byrne years. Finally, when special elections were ordered in 1986, victorious Washington-backed candidates gave him the 25-25 split he needed. His vote as chair of City Council enabled him to break the deadlock and enact his programs.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Washington was reelected in the spring of 1987. During his short second term, the Eddies fell from power: Vrdolyak became a Republican, Kelly was removed from his powerful Parks post, and Burke lost his power as Finance Chair.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On November 25, 1987, Washington died of a heart attack in his office.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Washington was buried in Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago. The new building housing the central branch of the Chicago Public Library system was named for the mayor, and Loop College in Chicago's downtown was renamed Harold Washington College in his memory.

Related Topics:
Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago - Chicago Public Library - Loop College - Harold Washington College

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Despite the bickering in City Council, Washington seemed to relish his role as Chicago's ambassador to the world. He once said to a group of supporters, "In the old days, when you told people in other countries that you were from Chicago, they would say, 'Boom-boom! Rat-a-tat-tat!' Nowadays, they say How's Harold?!"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~