Washington, Harold

Washington, Harold

(born April 15, 1922, Chicago, Ill., U.S.—died Nov. 25, 1987, Chicago) U.S. politician and mayor of Chicago (1983–87). He practiced law and served as a city attorney (1954–58). He was elected successively to the Illinois House of Representatives (1965–76), the state senate (1976–80), and the U.S. House of Representatives (1980–83). In 1983 he campaigned for mayor of Chicago on a platform of reform and an end to city patronage; with his election, he become the first African American to hold that post. He was reelected to a second term in 1987 but died soon after.

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Washington, Harold (1922–87) U.S. representative, mayor; born in Chicago. A decorated air force veteran of World War II, he was a member of the Illinois legislature (1966–76), the state senate (1978–80), and the U.S. House of Representatives (Dem., Ill.; 1981–83). Running for mayor of Chicago as a Democrat, but largely without party backing, he defeated Bernard Epton to become the city's first African-American mayor (1984–87). In the 1987 election, with voting going largely along racial lines (and with both sides accused of fraud), Washington won over former mayor Jane Byrne's challenge but he died before he could begin a second term.