CHICAGO — Thirty-nine years after he was first elected mayor, Harold Washington still looms large in Chicago politics. His stunning electoral triumph over the Chicago Machine remains a legendary tale.

For progressive politicians, he’s the gold standard. 

State Rep. La Shawn Ford said Washington was a mayor other politicians could model themselves after.

“You think about athletes and they model themselves after a Jordan, he’s the greatest,” he said. “I don’t know if we can find a politician greater than Harold Washington.

Washington opened the door for many. Former President Barack Obama moved to Chicago in part because of Washington.

Washington’s career took him to the Illinois House, Senate and Congress. He loved politics.

Josie Childs, 96, is throwing a 100th birthday for Washington. She is the founder of his legacy committee.

More Coverage: Black Fire Brigade helps train future first responders, helps at-risk Black youth

“He felt going into elected politics, he could make a difference” she said.

Raised in a South Side political family, Washington championed fairness and transparency. Dick Simpson is a former Chicago alderman and an early supporter of Washington.

“He was in the modern era the first progressive reform mayor,” he said. “Before Harold Washington there were very few African Americans, or women, or Latinos or gays in city government — usually in token positions. After Harold we had affirmative action in jobs and contracts. After Harold we had the Freedom of Information and the first Ethics ordinance in Chicago’s history.”

Marilyn Katz did communications for Washington.

“It was revolutionary, and I felt like a good revolutionist,” Katz said.

To take on the machine, Washington assembled a multicultural coalition.

“It became more than a campaign. It became a crusade, and we would go down the streets and these buttons that were made up became like an ID bracelet for fellow travels. Oh, I recognize you! You see me. Yes! We can do that and there’s so many of us,” Katz said.

James Montgomery served as Washington’s corporation counsel.

“Harold was determined to make sure that everybody got their fair share of city services on the basis of simply being a constituent” Montgomery said. “The Black community people were shouting. For the first time in years, they had their streets paved.”

Curtis Mayfield’s legacy: Prolific musician’s life chronicled by son

The old guard did not welcome Washington. His first term was marked by what’s remembered as the Council Wars.

“Eddie Vedalia and Eddie Burke were able to get together 29 aldermen, given them all committee chairmen, give them extra staff and appointment jobs and patronage in essence to hold that coalition against Harold Washington and his administration. They were brutal battles,” Dick Simpson said.

The fight lasted for Washington entire first term. In 1987, Washington would defeat Edward Vrdolyak in the mayoral election.

Washington was well read. His vocabulary — legendary.

Hermene Hartman looked up new words for the mayor.

“We would talk every day and Harold was like ‘gimme a word, gimme a word.’ So we had to find a word for him to use. One time — he would send reporters scrambling because they had to look up ‘What did he say? What did he mean?’ We brought some pocket dictionaries for the reporters and Harold gave them out and said, ‘Keep up with me if you can!” Hartman said.

As he kicked off his second term, privately aides worried about Washington’s health.

Washington died at City Hall in 1987 of a heart attack. He was 65.

More Coverage: Black History Month

“It was tragic because he had just gotten the majority and I just wonder what he would have done.

“We lost a guy who probably would have been mayor for the next 20 years,” Montgomery said.

“There was a sadness that was similar to the great events like Abraham Lincoln’s death or maybe John F. Kenney’s assassination. It was universal,” Simpson said.

More information on the Mayor Harold Washington Legacy Committee’s Facebook Page.

Washington left behind a template for grassroots victory.

“I can’t help but feel the spirit of the great Mayor Harold Washington here with us this morning,” Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said.

Harold Washington — the man who defeated the Machine. A champion of inclusion, equity and reform. Inspiration to many.

Close Modal

Suggest a Correction

Suggest a Correction

>>>#ad: Don't Miss Today's BEST Amazon Deals!
Originally Appeared Here