Harold Washington
51st Mayor of Chicago
In office April 29, 1983 – November 25, 1987
Preceded by	Jane Byrne
Succeeded by	David Orr
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 1st district
In office January 5, 1981 – April 30, 1983
Preceded by	Bennett M. Stewart
Succeeded by	Charles A. Hayes
Member of the Illinois State Senate from the 26th district
In office 1977 – 1980
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 26th district
In office January 6, 1965 – 1976
Born	April 15, 1922(1922-04-15) Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died	November 25, 1987 (aged 65) Chicago, Illinois, United States
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Nancy Dorothy Finch (July 22, 1942–February 25, 1950) Mary Ella Smith (engaged)
Residence	Chicago, Illinois
Religion	Methodist[1]

Harold Washington (April 15, 1922 – November 25, 1987) was an American lawyer and politician who became the first African American Mayor of Chicago, serving from 1983 until his death in 1987. The Mayor of Chicago is the Chief executive of Chicago, Illinois, the third largest City in the United Events 1429 - Joan of Arc arrives to relieve the Siege of Orleans. Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) Events 1034 - Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, King of Scots dies Donnchad, the Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Jane Margaret Byrne (born May 24, 1934) was the first and to date only female Mayor of Chicago. For the 19th century baseball player see Dave Orr. David Duvall Orr (born October 4 1944) is an American The United States House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress; the other is the Senate. The State of Illinois ( roughly ill-i-NOY is a state of the United States of America, the 21st to be admitted to the Union. The 1st Congressional District of Illinois includes part of Cook County, and has been represented by Democrat Bobby Rush since January Events 1477 - Battle of Nancy: Charles the Bold is killed and Burgundy becomes part of France. Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Events 313 - Roman emperor Licinius unifies the entire Eastern Roman Empire under his rule Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) Bennett McVey Stewart ( August 12, 1912 &ndash April 26, 1988) was a Democratic U Charles Arthur Hayes ( February 17, 1918 &ndash April 8, 1997) was a member of the United States House of Representatives from The Illinois Senate is the upper chamber of the Illinois General Assembly, the Legislative branch of the government of the State of The Illinois House of Representatives is the Lower house of the Illinois General Assembly, the state legislature of the U Events 1066 - Harold Godwinson is crowned King of England. 1205 - Philip of Swabia becomes King Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. Events 1450 - Battle of Formigny: Toward the end of the Hundred Years' War, the French attack and nearly annihilate English Year 1922 ( MCMXXII) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. The State of Illinois ( roughly ill-i-NOY is a state of the United States of America, the 21st to be admitted to the Union. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1034 - Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, King of Scots dies Donnchad, the Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. The State of Illinois ( roughly ill-i-NOY is a state of the United States of America, the 21st to be admitted to the Union. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Democratic Party is one of two major Political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Godfrey of Bouillon is elected the first Defender of the Holy Sepulchre of The Kingdom of Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 138 - The Emperor Hadrian adopts Antoninus Pius, effectively making him his successor Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. The State of Illinois ( roughly ill-i-NOY is a state of the United States of America, the 21st to be admitted to the Union. Methodism is a movement within Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations Events 1450 - Battle of Formigny: Toward the end of the Hundred Years' War, the French attack and nearly annihilate English Year 1922 ( MCMXXII) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1034 - Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, King of Scots dies Donnchad, the Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law as an attorney, Counsel or Solicitor; a person A politician (from Greek " Polis " is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making through the influence of Politics or a person African Americans or Black Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have origins in any of the black populations of Africa A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning "greater" is a modern title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a municipal government Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar)

Background and early career

Harold Washington was born on April 15, 1922 to Roy and Bertha Washington. Events 1450 - Battle of Formigny: Toward the end of the Hundred Years' War, the French attack and nearly annihilate English Year 1922 ( MCMXXII) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. His father had been one of the first precinct captains in the city, a lawyer and a Methodist minister. A precinct captain is the individual who acts as the direct link between a political party's machine and the voters in an election Precinct. Methodism is a movement within Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations Harold's mother, Bertha, left a small farm near Centralia, Illinois to make a fortune in Chicago as a singer. Centralia is a city located in Marion, Washington, Clinton, Jefferson Counties in the U She married Roy soon after arriving in Chicago and had four children with Roy. ^[2]

Washington grew up the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago, at the time the epicenter of black culture in the city. Neighborhoods Bronzeville Chicago --> Bronzeville is a neighborhood located in the Douglas and Grand Boulevard He attended DuSable High School, then a new segregated high school, and was a member of the first graduating class. DuSable High School is a Bronzeville high school opened in 1934 ^[3] In a 1939 citywide track meet, Washington placed first in the 110 meter high hurdles event, and second in the 220 meter low hurdles event. Between his junior and senior year of high school, Washington dropped out, saying that he no longer felt challenged by the classwork. He worked at a meat packing plant for a time before his father helped him get a job at the U.S. Treasury. The United States Department of the Treasury is a Cabinet department and the Treasury of the United States government. There he met Dorothy, whom Washington nicknamed "Peaches" after her peach fuzz. They married soon after—Washington was 19, and Dorothy 17. Seven months later, the U. S. was drawn into World War II with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Pearl Harbor is a Harbor on the Island of O{{okina}}ahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. ^[4]

In 1942, Washington was drafted into the war and sent overseas as part of a segregated unit of the Air Force Engineers. In the Philippines, Washington was a part of a unit building runways. The Philippines ( Filipino: Pilipinas, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (fil ''Republika ng Pilipinas'' RP Although he preferred combat, at the time blacks were considered neither courageous nor smart enough for combat duty. Eventually, Washington rose to the rank of First Sergeant in the Air Force. First Sergeant is the name of a military rank used in some countries In her biography of Harold Washington, Florence Hamlish Levinsohn surmises that the three years Washington spent in the South Pacific fighting for democracy while experiencing racial prejudice and discrimination helped shape Washington's views on racial justice in the mayoral run to come. ^[3]

Roosevelt College

In the summer of 1946, Washington enrolled at Roosevelt College (now Roosevelt University). Roosevelt University is a private Institution of Higher education with full service Campuses in Chicago's Loop and northwest The college was founded in the waning years of World War II, after a revolt by professors of Central YMCA College (known as "The Y"). Edward J. Sparling, former president of the Y, resigned rather than turn over demographic data requested by trustees of the Y. He suspected the data would be used to set up a quota system, preventing returning veterans from enrolling at the Y. With 68 other faculty members, they and many students formed the first integrated private college in Chicago, and one of few in the nation. ^[5]

Washington joined other groups of students not permitted to be enrolled in other local colleges. Asians were not accepted, and Jews were under quotas at the nearby University of Chicago. The University of Chicago is a Private university located principally in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. Local estimates place the population of the college, 3,948 people strong, at about 1/8 black, 1/2 Jewish, with other races making up the balance. A full 75% of the student had enrolled because of "nondiscriminatory progressive principles. "^[5]

By December 1946, Washington had fully involved himself in activities at Roosevelt. He chaired a fund-raising drive by students, and then was named to a committee that supported citywide efforts to outlaw restrictive covenants, which were the legal means by which minorities were prohibited from leaving their ghettos. A real covenant is a Legal obligation imposed in a Deed by the seller upon the buyer of Real estate to do or not to do something ^[6]

In 1948, after the college had moved to the Auditorium Theatre, Washington was elected the third president of Roosevelt's student council. The Auditorium Building of Roosevelt University in Chicago Illinois is one of the best-known designs of Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan. Under his leadership, the student council successfully petitioned the college to have representation on Roosevelt's faculty committees. At the first regional meeting of the newly founded National Student Association in the spring of 1948, Washington and nine other delegates proposed student representation on faculties, and a "Bill of Rights" for students; both measures were roundly defeated. The National Student Association, a confederation of American college and university student governments was founded in 1947. ^[7]

The next year, Washington went to Springfield to protest Illinois legislators' coming probe of "subversives". The probe would outlaw the Communist Party and require loyalty oaths for teachers. A Political party described as a communist party includes those that advocate the application of the social principles of Communism through a communist form of He led students' opposition to the bills, although they would pass later in 1949. ^[7]

During his Roosevelt College years, Washington came to be known for his stability. His friends said that he had a "remarkable ability to keep cool", reason carefully and walk middle line. Washington intentionally avoided extremist activities, including street actions and sit-ins against segregated restaurants and businesses. Overall, Washington and other radical activists ended up sharing a mutual respect for each other, acknowledging both Washington's pragmatism and the activists' idealism. With the opportunities found only in Roosevelt College in the late 1940s, Washington's time at Roosevelt proved to be a pivotal point in his life and the city's history. ^[8]

Washington graduated in August 1949 with a B.A. degree. In addition to his activities at Roosevelt, he was a member of Phi Beta Sigma. Phi Beta Sigma (ΦΒΣ is a predominately African-American fraternity which was founded at Howard University in Washington D ^[9][10]

Northwestern University School of Law

Washington then studied at Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago. The Northwestern University School of Law is a private American Law school in Chicago Illinois. During this time, Washington divorced from Dorothy Finch. By some accounts, Harold and Dorothy had simply grown apart after Washington was sent to war during the first year of his marriage. Others saw both as young and headstrong, the relationship doomed from the beginning. Another friend of Washington's deemed Harold "not the marrying kind. " He would not marry again, but continued to have relationships with other women; those who knew his longtime secretary would later reporter her commenting "If every woman Harold slept with stood at one end of City Hall, the building would sink five inches into LaSalle Street". LaSalle Street is a major north-south street in Chicago named for Sieur de La Salle, an early explorer of Illinois. ^[11]

At Northwestern, Washington was the only black in his class. (He joined six women in the class, one of them being Dawn Clark Netsch). Dawn Clark Netsch (born September 16, 1926 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is an Illinois Professor of Law and Politician As in Roosevelt, he entered school politics. In 1951, his last year, he was elected treasurer of the Junior Bar Association (JBA). Student Bar Association (SBA is the common name for the student governing body at many law schools The election was largely symbolic, however, and Washington's attempts to give the JBA more authority at Northwestern were largely unsuccessful. ^[12]

On campus, Washington joined the Nu Beta Epsilon fraternity, largely because he and the other minorities which constituted the fraternity were blatantly excluded from the other fraternities on campus. Overall, Washington stayed away from the activism that defined his years in Roosevelt. During the evenings and weekends, he worked to supplement his GI Bill income. The GI Bill (officially titled Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 PL346 58 Statutes at Large 284 provided for college or vocational education for returning He graduated in 1952. ^[13]

Legislative political career

Working for Metcalfe

From 1951 until he was first slated for election in 1965, Washington worked in the offices of the 3rd Ward for the ward boss, former Olympic athlete Ralph Metcalfe. Not to be confused with early 19th century New Hampshire politician Ralph Metcalf Ralph Harold Metcalfe ( May 30, 1910 &ndash Metcalfe had been selected by Richard J. Daley, who had been elected party chairman in 1952. Richard Joseph Daley ( May 15, 1902 – December 20, 1976) served for 21 years as the undisputed Democratic boss of Chicago Daley's first moves were to strip power from William Dawson, who he feared would not vote with Daley's ideas. William Levi Dawson ( April 26 1886 - November 9 1970) was an African American politician and lawyer who was involved in local politics He replaced C. C. Wimbush, an ally of Dawson, on the party committee with Metcalfe, largely because of his intelligence, loyalty to Daley and Catholicism. Catholic is an Adjective derived from the Greek adjective '' / 'katholikos' meaning "whole" or "complete". Having replaced all of the members in the party citywide who would not bend to his will, Daley set to the creation of one of the last political machines in the country. A political machine is an unofficial system of a political organization based on Patronage, the Spoils system, "behind-the-scenes" control and longstanding Under Metcalfe's leadership and loyalty, the 3rd Ward ranked first in the city in the size of its Democratic plurality by 1961, a critical factor in Daley's mayoral election. ^[14]

While working under Metcalfe, Washington began to organize the 3rd Ward's Young Democrats (YD) organization. The Young Democrats of America (YDA founded in 1932 is the unofficial youth arm of the Democratic Party of the United States, although it severed official One of the primary purposes in doing so was to establish a key political base separate from the Democratic Machine, yet integral to the Machine's success in the predominately black wards. At YD conventions, the 3rd Ward would push for numerous black resolutions. Eventually, other black YD organizations would come to the 3rd Ward headquarters for advice on how to run their own organizations. Like he had at Roosevelt College, Washington avoided radicalism and preferred to work through the party to invoke change. ^[15]

While working with the Young Democrats, Washington met Mary Ella Smith. They dated for the next 20 years, and in 1983 Washington proposed to Smith in an attempt to silence questions about Washington's sexual orientation. In an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, Smith said that she never pressed Washington for marriage because she knew Washington's first love was politics, saying, "He was a political animal. He thrived on it, and I knew any thoughts of marriage would have to wait. I wasn't concerned about that. I just knew the day would come. "^[16]

In 1960, with Lemuel Bentley, Bennett Johnson, Luster Jackson and others, Washington founded the Chicago League of Negro Voters. The organization was one of the first to challenge the Machine; in its first election, Bentley drew 60,000 votes for city clerk. After dropping out of view after the elections, it resurfaced as the group Protest at the Polls in 1963. Again, Washington participated in the background planning process, not risking losing support from the Machine, but still trying to further the progressive goals of 3rd Ward YDs. By 1967, the independent candidates had gained traction within the black community, winning several aldermanic seats; by 1983, the League of Negro Voters would be instrumental in Washington's run for Mayor. By then, the YDs had begun to lose influence in the party, as more black voters separated from the Machine and supported independents. ^[17]

Illinois House (1965–1976)

After Democratic party leaders failed to reapportion districts as required by the census every ten years, an at-large election was held in January 1965 to fill 177 seats in the Illinois House of Representatives. At-Large is a designation for representative members of a governing body who are Elected or appointed to represent the whole membership of the body (for example a city state The Illinois House of Representatives is the Lower house of the Illinois General Assembly, the state legislature of the U With the Republicans and Democrats combining to slate only 118 candidates, independent voting groups seized the opportunity to put up their own slates of candidates, separate from the Machine. The League of Negro Voters put together a "Third Slate" of 59 candidates, announcing the slate on June 27, 1964. Events 1358 - Republic of Dubrovnik is founded 1709 - Peter the Great defeats Charles XII of Sweden Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. Shortly afterwards, Daley put together a slate of his own, including Adlai Stevenson III and Washington. Adlai Ewing Stevenson III (born October 10, 1930, in Chicago) is an American politician of the Democratic Party. The Third Slate was then thrown out by the Illinois Election Board because of "insufficient signatures" on the nominating petitions. In response, the League issued an "orange ballot", urging voters to vote for three Republicans and fifteen Democrats. In the election, Washington received the second-largest amount of ballots in the election, behind Stevenson. ^[18]

Washington's years in the House were marked by constant tension with Daley and the rest of the Machine leadership. In 1967, he was ranked by the Independent Voters of Illinois (IVI) as the fourth-most independent legislator in the house and named Best Legislator of the Year. His defiance of the "idiot card", a sheet of paper that directed legislators' votes on every issue, attracted the attention of party leaders, who moved to remove Washington from his legislative position. ^[19] Daley often told Metcalfe to dump Washington as a candidate, but Metcalfe did not want to risk losing the 3rd Ward's Young Democrats, who were more aligned to Washington than to the Machine. ^[20]

In one particular spat, Washington backed Renault Robinson, a black police officer and one of the founders of the Afro-American Patrolmen's League (AAPL). The aim of the APPL was to fight racism directed against minority officers by the rest of the predominately-white department. Soon after the creation of the group, Robinson was written up for minor infractions, suspended, reinstated, and then placed on the graveyard shift to a single block behind central police headquarters. Robinson approached Washington to fashion a bill creating a civilian review board, consisting of both patrolmen and officers, to monitor police brutality. Both black independent and white liberal legislators refused to back the bill, fearing to challenge Daley's stronghold on the police force. ^[20]

After Washington announced he would support the AAPL, Metcalfe refused to protect him from Daley. Washington believed he had the support of John Touhy, Speaker of the House and a former party chair. List of Speakers This is a complete list of the Speakers of the Illinois House of Representatives as of 2007 Instead, Touhy criticized Washington and then allayed Daley's anger. In exchange for the party's backing, Washington would serve on the Chicago Crime Commission, the group Daley formed to investigate the AAPL's charges. The commission promptly found the AAPL's charges "unwarranted". An angry and humiliated Washington admitted that on the commission, he felt like Daley's "showcase nigger". ^[20]

In 1969, Daley removed his name from the slate; only by the intervention of Cecil Partee, a party loyalist, was Washington's name placed back on the slate. That year, the Machine quietly supported Jim Taylor, a former professional boxer, Streets and Sanitation worker, and barely literate Daley figurehead, over Washington. With Partee and his own ward's support, Washington defeated Taylor. ^[19]

His years in the House were focused on becoming an advocate for black rights. He continued work on the Fair Housing Act, and worked to strengthen the state's Fair Employment Practices Commission (FEPC). In addition, he worked on a state Civil Rights Act, which would strengthen employment and housing provisions in the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964. Origins The bill was introduced by President John F Kennedy in his civil rights speech of June 11 1963, in which he asked for legislation "giving In his first session, all of his bills were sent to committee or tabled. Like his time in Roosevelt College, Washington relied on parliamentary tactics (e. g. , writing amendments guaranteed to fail in a vote) to enable him to bargain for more concessions. ^[21]

Washington also passed bills honoring civil rights figures. He passed a resolution honoring Metcalfe, his mentor. He also passed a resolution honoring James J. Reeb, a priest who was beaten to death in Selma, Alabama by a segregationist mob. James Reeb ( January 1 1927 — March 11 1965) was an American white Unitarian Universalist minister from Boston Selma is a city in and the County seat of Dallas County, Alabama, United States, located on the banks of the Alabama River. After the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., he introduced a bill aimed at making King's birthday a state holiday. Martin Luther King Jr ( January 15, 1929 April 4, 1968) was an American clergyman, Activist and prominent leader After being vetoed and tabled, it became a state holiday. It was not until 1973 that Washington was able, with Partee's help in the Senate, to have the bill enacted and signed by the governor. ^[22]

As the years passed, Washington voted more in line with the Machine, partially for fear of losing its support and patronage army. Patronage is the support encouragement privilege and often financial aid given by a person or an organization By 1975, the IVI ranked Washington 42nd in the House. On the most controversial votes (e. g. a 1967 bill that would ban picketing on public streets, aimed at anti-Daley protests by members of the civil rights movement), Washington had taken to not voting as a means of voicing his protest, without casting a vote against the Machine. ^[23]

In 1975, Washington was named chairman of the Judiciary Committee with the election of William A. Redmond as Speaker of the House. William Thomas "Bill" Redmond (born January 28, 1955) was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from The same year, Partee, now President of the Senate and eligible for his pension, decided to retire from the Senate. List of Presidents of the Illinois Senate This is a complete list of the Presidents of the Illinois Senate as of 2007 Although Daley and Taylor declined at first, at Partee's insistence, Washington was slated for the seat and received the party's support. In 1976, Washington was elected to the Illinois Senate. ^[24]

Legal issues

In addition to Daley's strongarmed tactics, Washington's time in the Illinois House was also marred by problems with tax returns and allegations of not performing services owed to his clients. In her biography, Levinsohn questions whether the timing of Washington's legal troubles was politically motivated. In November 1966, Washington was re-elected to the house over Daley's strong objections; by January 1967, the second complaint in a string of six complaints against Washington had been filed. (The first had been filed earlier, in 1964. )^[25]

A letter asking Washington to explain the matter was sent on January 5, 1967. Events 1477 - Battle of Nancy: Charles the Bold is killed and Burgundy becomes part of France. Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. After failing to respond to numerous summons and subpoenas, the commission recommend a five-year suspension on March 18, 1968. Events 37 - The Roman Senate annuls Tiberius ' will and proclaims Caligula emperor Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A formal response to the charges did not occur until July 10, 1969. Events 48 BC - Battle of Dyrrhachium, Julius Caesar barely avoids a catastrophic defeat to Pompey in Macedonia. Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. In his reply, Washington said that "sometimes personal problems are enlarged out of proportion to the entire life picture at the time and the more important things are abandoned. " In 1970, the Board of Managers of the Chicago Bar Association ruled that Washington's license be suspended for only one year, not the five recommended; the total amount in question between all six clients was $205. Founded in 1874, the Chicago Bar Association is a voluntary bar association with over 20000 members ^[26]

In 1971, Washington was charged with failure to file tax returns for four years, although the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) claimed to have evidence for nineteen years. The (Top campaign aides would later say that nineteen was closer to the truth). Judge Sam Perry noted that he was "disturbed that this case ever made it to my courtroom"—while Washington had paid his taxes, he ended up owing the government a total of $508 as a result of not filing his taxes. Typically, the IRS handled such cases in civil court, or within its bureaucracy. Washington pleaded "no contest" and was sentenced to forty days in Cook County Jail, a $1,000 fine, and three years probation. (By comparison, a prominent, well-connected Chicago attorney was charged with not filing from 1973–1975; he was neither prosecuted, nor charged a penalty. )^[27][28]

Illinois Senate (1976–1980)

Human Rights Act of 1970

In the Illinois Senate, Washington's main focus worked to pass the Human Rights Act of 1970. The Illinois Senate is the upper chamber of the Illinois General Assembly, the Legislative branch of the government of the State of Legislators rewrote all of the human rights laws in the state, restricting discrimination based on "race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status, sexual orientation, or unfavorable discharge from military service in connection with employment, real estate transactions, access to financial credit, and the availability of public accommodations. "^[29]

The bill's origins began in 1970 with the rewriting of the Illinois Constitution. The Constitution of the State of Illinois is the governing document of the state of Illinois. The new constitution required all governmental agencies and departments to be reorganized for efficiency. Republican governor James R. Thompson reorganized low-profile departments before his re-election in 1978. James Robert Thompson Jr (born May 8, 1936) also known as "Big Jim Thompson" was the longest-serving Governor of the U In early 1979, during the early portions of Thompson's term and immediately in the aftermath of the largest vote for a gubernatorial candidate in the state's history, he called for the human rights reorganization. ^[30]

The Machine recognized a bill to enforce nondiscrimination as a threat to its existence. In addition, the bill would consolidate and remove some agencies completely, eliminating a number of political jobs the Machine could offer to its loyalists. In addition, many Democratic legislators would vote down a human rights measure backed by Thompson and other Republican legislators. For many years, human rights had been a campaign issue brought up and backed by Democrats. ^[30] The Machine also had no interest in helping to further shine Washington's record. ^[31]

Thompson's staffers brought the bill to Washington and other black legislators before it would be presented to the floor. He made adjustments in anticipation of some legislators' concerns regarding the bill, before speaking for it in April 1979. After the Machine spoke about against the bill, Washington brought in both black and white liberal opinion makers to explain how they felt about the bill. On May 24, 1979, the bill passed the Senate by a vote of 59 to one, with two voting present and six absent. Events 1218 - The Fifth Crusade leaves Acre for Egypt. 1276 - Magnus Ladulås is crowned Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) The victory in the highly conservative Senate was attributed by a Thompson staffer to Washington's "calm noncombative presentation". ^[31]

However, the bill stalled in the house. Congressman Susan Catania insisted on attaching an amendment to allow women guarantees in the use of credit cards; her effort was assisted by Machine operatives Jim Taylor and Gerald Bullock. In the meantime, Taylor and Bullock introduced over one hundred amendments, including the first ten amendments to the U. S. Constitution, to try and stall the bill; this effort was assisted by Carol Moseley Braun, a civil rights advocate and liberal from Hyde Park. Carol Elizabeth Moseley Braun (born August 16, 1947) is an American Politician and Lawyer who represented Illinois in the History (Hyde Park Paul Cornell a successful businessman real-estate speculator and Abolitionist, purchased of land between 51st and 55th Streets along the Lake With Catania's amendment, the bill passed the House, but the Senate refused to accept the amendment. On June 30, 1979 the legislature adjourned. Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, is defeated and killed by troops of the Usurper Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) ^[31]

Washington continued to work through the summer and fall supporting the bill. A governor's staffer recognized that it was crucial to have "a strong, articulate, respected black person to say that this was a good bill. " In addition, Washington recognized the bill as the culmination of years of work in the legislature; he would not allow the bill to fail.

U. S. House (1980–1983)

In 1980 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Illinois' 1st congressional district. The United States House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress; the other is the Senate. The 1st Congressional District of Illinois includes part of Cook County, and has been represented by Democrat Bobby Rush since January ^[9][32]

Mayor of Chicago (1983–1987)

Harold Washington speaking at the commissioning of USS Chicago (SSN-721) in 1986. Ship's History Early in 1996 an RQ-1 Predator aerial reconnaissance drone was successfully controlled from Chicago.

In the February 22, 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. Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) Jane Margaret Byrne (born May 24, 1934) was the first and to date only female Mayor of Chicago. Richard Michael Daley (born April 24 1942 is a United States Politician, member of the national and local Democratic Party and current mayor Richard Joseph Daley ( May 15, 1902 – December 20, 1976) served for 21 years as the undisputed Democratic boss of Chicago Washington won with 37% of the vote, versus 33% for Byrne and 30% for Daley.

During his tenure as mayor, Washington lived at the Hampton House apartments in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. The Hampton House is a residential Condominium located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois on the property that once housed History (Hyde Park Paul Cornell a successful businessman real-estate speculator and Abolitionist, purchased of land between 51st and 55th Streets along the Lake

Although winning the Democratic primary is normally tantamount to election in heavily Democratic Chicago, after his primary victory Washington found that his Republican opponent, former state legislator 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. Bernard Epton ( August 25 1921 – December 13 1987) was an American politician who served in the Illinois House of Representatives Cook County is a county in the US state of Illinois. It is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles Edward Robert Vrdolyak (ˈɛdwɚd vɚˈdoʊliæk born 1937 is a noted Chicago lawyer and politician ^[33] Epton's campaign referred to, among other things, Washington's conviction for failure to file income tax returns. (He had paid the taxes, but had not filed a return. ) However, Washington appealed to his constituency in his mayoral political campaign, and stressed such things as reforming the Chicago patronage system and the need for a jobs program in a tight economy. In the April 22, 1983 mayoral general election, Washington defeated Epton by 3. Events 1500 - Portuguese Navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral becomes the first European to sight Brazil. Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) 7%, 51. 7% to 48. 0%, to become mayor of Chicago. Pre-election opinion polling had showed Washington with a much larger lead, making the final margin a possible example of the so-called "Bradley effect", particularly considering the racially charged nature of the campaign. An opinion poll is a survey of Public opinion from a particular sample. The term Bradley effect, less commonly called the Wilder effect, refers to a proposed explanation for a frequently observed discrepancy between voter Opinion polls Washington was sworn in as mayor on April 29, 1983, and resigned his Congressional seat the following day. Events 1429 - Joan of Arc arrives to relieve the Siege of Orleans. Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar)

Washington's first term in office was characterized by ugly, racially polarized battles dubbed "Council Wars", referring to the then-recent Star Wars films. Council Wars was a racially-polarized political conflict in the city of Chicago from 1983 - 1986. Star Wars is an epic Space opera franchise initially conceived by George Lucas during the 1970s and significantly expanded A 29–21 City Council majority refused to enact Washington's reform legislation and prevented him from appointing reform nominees to boards and commissions. Other first-term items include overall city population loss, increased crime, and a massive decrease in ridership on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). Chicago Transit Authority, also known as CTA, is the operator of mass transit within the City of Chicago, Illinois. This helped earn the city the nickname "Beirut on the Lake", and many people wondered if Chicago would ever recover or face the more permanent declines of other cities in the U.S. Midwest. Beirut (بيروت Bayrūt) is the Capital and Largest city of Lebanon with a population of over 2 Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America, and the only one located entirely within the United States.

The twenty-nine, also known as the Vrdolyak Twenty-nine, was led by "the Eddies": Alderman Ed Vrdolyak, Finance Chair Edward Burke and Parks Commissioner Edmund Kelly. Edward M Burke (born December 29, 1943) is Alderman of the 14th Ward in Chicago. The Eddies were supported by State's Attorney Richard M. Daley, U. S. Congressmen Dan Rostenkowski and William Lipinski, and other powerful white Democrats. Daniel David "Dan" Rostenkowski (born January 2, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois) is a former United States Representative from William Oliver Lipinski (born December 22, 1937) American politician was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives

Washington ruled by veto. A veto, Latin for "I forbid" is used to Denote that a certain party has the right to stop unilaterally a certain piece of Legislation. The twenty-nine could not get the thirtieth 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 chairman of the City Council enabled him to break the deadlock and enact his programs.

Washington defeated former mayor Jane Byrne in the February 24, 1987 Democratic mayoral primary by 7. Jane Margaret Byrne (born May 24, 1934) was the first and to date only female Mayor of Chicago. Events 303 - Galerius, Roman Emperor, publishes his edict that begins the persecution of Christians in his portion of the Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) 2%, 53. 5% to 46. 3%, and in the April 7, 1987 mayoral general election defeated Vrdolyak (Illinois Solidarity Party) by 11. Events 529 - First draft of Corpus Juris Civilis (a fundamental work in Jurisprudence) is issued by Eastern Roman Emperor Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) 8%, 53. 8% to 42. 8%, with Northwestern University business professor Donald Haider (Republican) getting 4. 3%, to win reelection to a second term as mayor. Cook County Assessor Thomas Hynes (Chicago First Party), a Daley ally, dropped out of the race 36 hours before the mayoral general election. During Washington's 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.

Death

On November 25, 1987 at 11:00 am, Chicago Fire Department paramedics were called to City Hall. Events 1034 - Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, King of Scots dies Donnchad, the Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) The Chicago Fire Department, also known as the CFD, is the principal fire suppression prevention and rescue agency of Chicago Illinois, under the jurisdiction of Alton Miller, Washington's press secretary, had been discussing school board issues when Washington suddenly slumped over on his desk, falling unconscious. After failing to revive Washington in his office, paramedics rushed him to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Northwestern University|Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH is part of the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University Further resuscitation attempts failed, and Washington was pronounced dead at 1:36 pm. ^[34] At Daley Plaza, Richard Keen, project director for the Westside Habitat for Humanity, announced Washington's official time of death to a separate gathering of Chicagoans. Habitat For Humanity International ( HFHI) (generally referred to as Habitat for Humanity or simply Habitat) is an international Ecumenical Initial reactions to the pronouncement of his death were of shock and sadness, as many African-Americans believed that Washington was the only top Chicago official who would address their concerns. ^[35]

Thousands of Chicagoans attended his wake in the lobby of City Hall between November 27 and November 29, 1987. Events 1095 - Pope Urban II declares the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont Events 1777 - San Jose California, is founded as el Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) ^[36] On November 30 Rev. Events 1700 - Battle of Narva — A Swedish army of 8500 men under Charles XII defeats B. Herbert Martin officiated Washington's "upbeat, hard-clapping funeral service" in Christ Universal Temple at 119th Street and Ashland Avenue in Chicago. After the service, Washington was buried in Oak Woods Cemetery on the South Side of Chicago. Oak Woods Cemetery was established in 1854 – five years earlier than Rosehill and Calvary – on an area of 74  ha (183 Acres located at ^[37]

Immediately after Washington's death, rumors about how Washington died began to surface. On January 6, 1988, Dr. Events 1066 - Harold Godwinson is crowned King of England. 1205 - Philip of Swabia becomes King Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) Antonio Senat, Washington's personal physician, denied "unfounded speculations" that Washington had cocaine in his system at the time of his death, or that foul play was involved. Cocaine ( benzoylmethyl ecgonine) is a Crystalline Tropane Alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the Coca plant Cook County Medical Examiner Robert J. Stein performed an autopsy on Washington and concluded that Washington had died of a heart attack. Washington had weighed 284 pounds (129 kg), and suffered from hypertension, high cholesterol levels, and an enlarged heart. Hypertension, also referred to as high blood pressure, HTN or HPN, is a medical condition in which the Blood pressure is chronically elevated ^[38] On June 20, 1988 Alton Miller again indicated that drug reports on Washington had come back negative, and that Washington had not been poisoned prior to his death. Events 451 - Battle of Chalons: Flavius Aetius ' defeats Attila the Hun. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) Dr. Stein stated that the only drug in Washington's system had been lidocaine, which is used to stabilize the heart after a heart attack takes place. Lidocaine ( INN) (ˈlaɪdoʊkeɪn or lignocaine (former BAN) (/ˈlɪgnoʊkeɪn/ is a common Local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic drug The drug was given to Washington either by paramedics, or by doctors at Northwestern Memorial Hosipital. ^[39]

In protest of Washington's perceived "deification" by the city and citizens of Chicago, Art Institute of Chicago student David Nelson painted Mirth & Girth, a caricature that depicted Washington wearing women's lingerie and holding a pencil. The Art Institute of Chicago is one of America's premier Fine art museums Mirth & Girth is a portrait painting by School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC student David K ^[40] The painting kicked off a First Amendment and civil rights controversy between Art Institute students and African-American aldermen. Nelson and the ACLU eventually split a US$95,000 (1994, US$138,000 in 2008) settlement from the city. The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been ^[41]

Legacy

Harold Washington Park, Chicago

Despite the bickering in City Council, Washington seemed to relish his role as Chicago's ambassador to the world. Harold Washington Park is a small (10 acre park in the Chicago Park District located in the Hyde Park community area on the South Side At a party held shortly after his re-election on April 7, 1987, he 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 [crowd joins with him], 'How's Harold?'!"^[42]

In later years, various city facilities and institutions would be renamed after the late mayor to commemorate his legacy. Events 529 - First draft of Corpus Juris Civilis (a fundamental work in Jurisprudence) is issued by Eastern Roman Emperor Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) The new building housing the main branch of the Chicago Public Library, located at 400 South State Street, was named the Harold Washington Library Center (the former main library becoming the Chicago cultural center). The Chicago Public Library consists of 79 branches throughout the city of Chicago Illinois, USA State Street is a major north-south thoroughfare in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The Harold Washington Library Center is the central library for the Chicago Public Library System The former Loop College in downtown Chicago was renamed Harold Washington College. Harold Washington College is a two-year Community college within the City Colleges of Chicago system of Chicago Illinois. In addition to the downtown facilities, the 40,000 square-foot Harold Washington Cultural Center was opened to the public in August 2004, in the historic South Side neighborhood of Bronzeville, at 4701 S. Neighborhoods Bronzeville Chicago --> Bronzeville is a neighborhood located in the Douglas and Grand Boulevard King Drive. Across from the Hampton House apartments where Washington lived, a city park was renamed Harold Washington Park, which was known for "Harold's Parakeets", a colony of wild parakeets that inhabited an ash tree in the park. Harold Washington Park is a small (10 acre park in the Chicago Park District located in the Hyde Park community area on the South Side

Notes

External links

• "Harold"—This American Life radio story. This American Life ( TAL) is a weekly hour-long Radio program produced by Chicago Public Radio and hosted by Ira Glass. A political history of Washington's mayoralty.
• The Harold Washington Commemorative Year
• "The Legacy of Chicago's Harold Washington", Cheryl Corley, All Things Considered, November 23, 2007. All Things Considered (ATC is a news radio program in the United States broadcast on the National Public Radio network Events 800 - Charlemagne arrives at Rome to investigate the alleged crimes of Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Accessed November 23, 2007. Events 800 - Charlemagne arrives at Rome to investigate the alleged crimes of Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

. Bennett McVey Stewart ( August 12, 1912 &ndash April 26, 1988) was a Democratic U These are tables of congressional delegations from Illinois to the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives. The 1st Congressional District of Illinois includes part of Cook County, and has been represented by Democrat Bobby Rush since January Charles Arthur Hayes ( February 17, 1918 &ndash April 8, 1997) was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Jane Margaret Byrne (born May 24, 1934) was the first and to date only female Mayor of Chicago. Mayors of Chicago, Illinois, current or previous The mayoral term in Chicago was two years from 1837 through 1907 at which time it was lengthened to four For the 19th century baseball player see Dave Orr. David Duvall Orr (born October 4 1944) is an American