Council Wars
The “council wars” were the frequent, bitter disputes between Chicago’s first African American mayor, Harold Washington (1983-1987), and a bloc of aldermen who opposed most of his policies. The conflicting sides coalesced largely along racial lines, and Washington’s opponents made what struck many observers as explicitly racist appeals.
David Axelrod, a political consultant to Washington and, later, to Mayor Richard M. Daley, discusses the Council Wars and Washington's career:
Reflections on the council wars
Marilyn Katz, public relations consultant to Mayor Daley:Helen Shiller, 46th ward alderman (1987-2011):