Millennium City: Richard M. Daley & Global ChicagoMain MenuChicago in 1989Richard M. DaleyA Livable CityDiversity and NeighborhoodsGlobal ChicagoInto the MillenniumAboutComplete Interviews and TranscriptsBiographies of and links to each full-lenth interview and corresponding transcript.David Greensteinc7fc3212990439fbd3c1dd961272d52f1519d8e6Dan Harpereff3db32ed95b3efe91d381826e2c10c145cd452Larissa Mukundwa0c6cb03c337751b5774fa39d09352cf04aec006eUniversity of Illinois at Chicago Library
Memo from the Chicago City Council wars
1media/EXHRMD_Nata07_0030_0192_020a_thumb.jpg2020-06-19T14:47:43-05:00Dan Harpereff3db32ed95b3efe91d381826e2c10c145cd45255A memo from Chicago's Council Wars issued by Mayor Harold Washington's press office. It answers criticisms from Alderman Ed Vrdolyak, one of Washington's opponents in city council, May 14, 1985. EXHRMD__Nata07_0030_0192_020aplain2020-07-07T16:58:27-05:001985-05-14Dan Harpereff3db32ed95b3efe91d381826e2c10c145cd452
In the 1980s, the "council wars" dominated city politics and highlighted racial divisions in Chicago. They pitted a majority all-white bloc of aldermen against the city's first black mayor, Harold Washington. The bloc made what struck many observers as explicitly racist appeals while it frustrated Washington's ability to implement his policies. The council wars ended after federal courts mandated redistricting and special elections in several wards, giving Washington a working majority in the council. Washington won reelection in 1987, but passed away unexpectedly later that year.
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):
