Council Wars
img: [Cover page of a report about Harold Washington's accomplishments during his first term as Chicago's mayor, circa 1985. Burton Natarus papers, University of Illinois at Chicago Library Nata07_0030_0192_016a.]
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.
When Mayor Washington passed away unexpectedly in 1987, the council wars ended.
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
Mailryn Katz, public relations consultant to Mayor Daley:Helen Shiller, 46th ward alderman (1987-2011):