Word: mayors
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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When the near religious fervor of black voters combined with enough support from white "lakefront liberals" to propel him to a second term last spring, Harold Washington predicted that he would serve 20 years as Chicago's first black mayor. But his bid to establish a political dynasty that would rival Richard J. Daley's legendary machine came to a sudden end last week. Seated at the desk in his city hall office, the portly, 65-year-old Washington collapsed % from a massive coronary while going over the day's appointments with his press secretary. Despite the speedy intervention...
Washington's death stunned Chicago's black community. "He was a role model," said Congressman Charles Hayes, a Washington crony who represents the South Side district that sent the mayor to the House from 1981 to 1983. "I never believed Harold could open up a city and turn it around as he did." Roy Larson, editor of the monthly Chicago Reporter, called Washington's death a "loss in the family in the way Jack Kennedy...
...After winning a bitter, racially tinged election in 1983, Washington told rejoicing black supporters, "It's our turn now." But his attempt to take charge of the city hall machinery was frustrated for three years by die-hard opposition from the city council's white majority, led by the mayor's archenemy, Edward R. Vrdolyak...
Vowing a war on patronage, Washington pushed through a tough ethics law for city officials and expanded city contracts for women and minorities. Yet his tenure was not entirely free of scandal: seven city officials, including two black councilmen who are allies of the mayor, have been indicted on federal bribery and kickback charges. Despite the mayor's soaring rhetoric, there were few improvements in Chicago's notoriously inadequate public schools or the city's crime-ridden public housing projects...
...Vice Mayor David Orr, 43, a white liberal, is serving as interim mayor while the city council selects one of its members to become acting mayor until a 1989 election. But the succession could turn contentious if Washington's political heirs cannot agree on a candidate or their foes make an attempt to force a special election next year. Either way, the power of Chicago's black voters and their determination to retain control of the city's highest office make it likely that the next mayor will be black. The leading contenders: Timothy Evans, 43, Washington's bland...