Institute of Politics

The Legacy of Chicago Mayor Harold Washington

Before Barack Obama, there was Harold Washington, Chicago’s first Black mayor and one of the nation’s most historic and significant municipal leaders. Breaking through the unscrupulous morass of his party’s machine politics and a racially charged campaign, Washington was elected in 1983 and served until his death on November 25, 1987.

In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of his birth, we will hear from both those who worked with him and those who can chart their own careers from his legacy, and view clips from an upcoming documentary film “Punch 9 for Harold Washington."

Featuring:

  • former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms
  • Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Tim Evans, who served as floor leader and Chicago City Council Finance chair when Washington was mayor
  • Don Rose, who served as one of Mayor Washington’s political advisors

Moderated by Institute of Politics director David Axelrod.

  • David Axelrod IOP Founding Director
  • Tim Evans Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, former floor leader and Chicago City Council Finance chair under Mayor Harold Washington
  • Keisha Lance Bottoms Spring 2022 Pritzker Fellow, former Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia (2018-2022)
  • Don Rose Former press secretary for Martin Luther King Jr., Former political advisor to Mayor Harold Washington

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