Editing Harold Washington (section)

==Mayor of Chicago (1983–1987)==
[[File:Harold Washington (2592).jpg|thumb|right|Washington holds a press conference for his 1983 campaign at the [[Hyatt Regency Chicago]] on December 13, 1982.]]
[[File:Harold Washington at the commissioning of USS Chicago (SSN-721) cropped.jpg|thumb|Harold Washington speaking at the commissioning of [[USS Chicago (SSN-721)|USS ''Chicago'' (SSN-721)]], September 1986.]]

===1983 Chicago mayoral election===
{{main|1983 Chicago mayoral election}}
In the February 22, 1983, Democratic mayoral primary, more than 100,000 new voters registered to vote led by a coalition that included the Latino reformed gang [[Young Lords]] led by [[Jose Cha Cha Jimenez]]. On the North and Northwest Sides, the incumbent mayor [[Jane Byrne]] led and future mayor [[Richard M. Daley]], son of the late Mayor [[Richard J. Daley]], finished a close second. Harold Washington had massive majorities on the South and West Sides.  Southwest Side voters overwhelmingly supported Daley. Washington won with 37% of the vote, versus 33% for Byrne and 30% for Daley. Although winning the Democratic primary was normally considered [[tantamount to election]] in heavily Democratic Chicago, after his primary victory Washington found that his [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] opponent, former state legislator [[Bernard Epton]] (earlier considered a nominal stand-in), was supported by many high-ranking Democrats and their ward organizations, including the chairman of the [[Cook County, Illinois|Cook County]] Democratic Party, Alderman [[Edward Vrdolyak]].<ref name="davis_19830412">{{cite news |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-chicagodays-haroldwashington-story,0,1660876.story |title=The election of Harold Washington the first black mayor of Chicago |author=Davis, Robert |date=April 12, 1983 |access-date=February 16, 2008 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |archive-date=February 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216023207/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-chicagodays-haroldwashington-story,0,1660876.story |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Epton's campaign referred to, among other things, Washington's conviction for failure to file [[income tax]] returns (he had paid the taxes, but had not filed a return). Washington, on the other hand, stressed reforming the Chicago patronage system and the need for a jobs program in a tight economy. In the April 12, 1983, mayoral general election, Washington defeated Epton by 3.7%, 51.7% to 48.0%, to become mayor of Chicago.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://chicagodemocracy.org/ElectionResults.jsp?election=crdd_general%2Ccrdd_1983_general_election%2Cil_chi_mayor | title=Election Results for 1983 General Election, Mayor, Chicago, IL}}</ref> Washington was sworn in as mayor on April 29, 1983, and resigned his Congressional seat the following day.

=== First term and Council Wars ===
During his tenure as mayor, Washington lived at the [[Hampton House (Chicago, Illinois)|Hampton House]] apartments in the [[Hyde Park, Chicago|Hyde Park]] neighborhood of Chicago. He created the city's first environmental-affairs department under the management of longtime Great Lakes environmentalist [[Lee Botts]]. Washington's first term in office was characterized by conflict with the city council dubbed "[[Council Wars]]", referring to the then-recent ''[[Star Wars]]'' films and caused Chicago to be nicknamed "[[Beirut]] on the [[Lake Michigan|Lake]]". A 29-alderman City Council majority refused to enact Washington's legislation and prevented him from appointing nominees to boards and commissions. First-term challenges included city population loss and a massive decrease in ridership on the [[Chicago Transit Authority]] (CTA).{{Citation needed|date=November 2017}} Assertions that the overall crime rate increased were incorrect.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/84/harold|title=Harold|work=This American Life|access-date=November 25, 2017}}</ref>

The 29, also known as the "Vrdolyak 29", were led by Vrdolyak (who was an Alderman in addition to Cook County Democratic Party chairman) and Finance Chair, Alderman [[Edward M. Burke|Edward Burke]]. Parks superintendent Edmund Kelly also opposed the mayor. The three were known as "the Eddies" and were supported by the younger Daley (now State's Attorney), U.S. Congressmen [[Dan Rostenkowski]] and [[William Lipinski]], and much of the Democratic Party. During his first city council meeting, Washington and the 21 supportive aldermen walked out of the meeting after a quorum had been established. Vrdolyak and the other 28 then chose committee chairmen and assigned aldermen to the various committees. Later lawsuits submitted by Washington and others were dismissed by [[Supreme Court Justice]] [[James C. Murray]]<ref name="sheppard_19830517">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/05/17/us/rebels-win-court-decision-in-chicago-council-dispute.html |title=Rebels Win Court Decision in Chicago Council Dispute |author=Sheppard |date=May 17, 1983 |access-date=March 6, 2021 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> because it was determined that the appointments were legally made. Washington ruled by veto. The 29 lacked the 30th vote they needed to override Washington's veto; female and African American aldermen supported Washington despite pressure from the Eddies. Meanwhile, in the courts, Washington kept the pressure on to reverse the redistricting of city council wards that the city council had created during the Byrne years. During special elections in 1986, victorious Washington-backed candidates in the first round ensured at least 24 supporters in the city council.  Six weeks later, when [[Marlene Carter]] and [[Luis Gutiérrez|Luís Gutiérrez]] won run-off elections, Washington had the 25 aldermen he needed. His vote as president of the City Council enabled him to break 25–25 tie-votes and enact his programs.

===1987 election===
{{main|1987 Chicago mayoral election}}
Washington defeated former mayor [[Jane Byrne]] in the February 24, 1987, Democratic mayoral primary by 7.2%, 53.5% to 46.3%, and in the April 7, 1987, mayoral general election defeated Vrdolyak (Illinois [[Solidarity Party (Illinois)|Solidarity Party]]) by 11.8%, 53.8% to 42.8%, with Northwestern University business professor Donald Haider (Republican) getting 4.3%, to win reelection to a second term as mayor. Cook County Assessor [[Thomas Hynes]] (Chicago First Party), a Daley ally, dropped out of the race 36 hours before the mayoral general election. During Washington's short second term, the Eddies lost much of their power: Vrdolyak became a Republican, Kelly was removed from his powerful parks post, and Burke lost his Finance Committee chairmanship.

===Political Education Project (PEP)===
From March 1984 to 1987, the Political Education Project (PEP)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chicagohistory.org/static_media/pdf/historyfair/washington_harold_and_the_machine.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624032054/http://www.chicagohistory.org/static_media/pdf/historyfair/washington_harold_and_the_machine.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Chicago History – PEP Project|archivedate=June 24, 2016}}</ref> served as Washington's political arm, organizing both Washington's campaigns and the campaigns of his political allies. Harold Washington established the Political Education Project in 1984. This organization supported Washington's interests in electoral politics beyond the Office of the Mayor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/08/22/lavelle-at-home-in-hot-seat/|title=Lavelle at Home in Hot Seat|website=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=August 22, 1986 |access-date=May 26, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/is-tim-evans-for-real/Content?oid=873531|title=Is Tim Evans for Real?|first=Doug|last=Cassel|date=March 16, 1989 |access-date=May 26, 2018}}</ref> PEP helped organize political candidates for statewide elections in 1984 and managed Washington's participation in the 1984 Democratic National Convention as a "favorite son" presidential candidate.<ref>{{cite news |title=Favorite Son Slate Planned |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=January 4, 1984 |access-date=June 6, 2013 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/04/us/favorite-son-slate-planned.html}}</ref> PEP used its political connections to support candidates such as [[Luis Gutiérrez]] and [[Jesús "Chuy" García]] through field operations, voter registration and Election Day poll monitoring. Once elected, these aldermen helped break the stalemate between Washington and his opponents in the city council. Due to PEP's efforts, Washington's City Council legislation gained ground and his popularity grew as the 1987 mayoral election approached.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bmrcprocessingproject.uchicago.edu/sites/bmrcprocessingproject.uchicago.edu/files/Finding%20Aids/Harold%20Washington%27s%20Political%20Education%20Project%20Records.pdf|title=Harold Washington's Political Education Project Records, Chicago Public Library Special Collections, Series IV. Special Aldermanic Election, boxes 29–35, 123|access-date=May 26, 2018}}</ref> In preparation for the 1987 mayoral election, PEP formed the Committee to Re-Elect Mayor Washington. This organization carried out fundraising for the campaign, conducted campaign events, and coordinated volunteers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bmrcprocessingproject.uchicago.edu/sites/bmrcprocessingproject.uchicago.edu/files/Finding%20Aids/Harold%20Washington%27s%20Political%20Education%20Project%20Records.pdf|title=Harold Washington's Political Education Project Records, Chicago Public Library Special Collections, Series V. 1987 Mayoral Election, boxes 35–100, 123, 124, 126|access-date=May 26, 2018}}</ref> PEP staff members, such as Joseph Gardner and [[Helen Shiller]], went on to play leading roles in Chicago politics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1996/05/17/gardner-loses-fight-with-cancer/|title=Gardner Loses Fight With Cancer|website=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=May 17, 1996 |access-date=May 26, 2018}}</ref>

The organization disbanded upon Harold Washington's death.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bmrcprocessingproject.uchicago.edu/sites/bmrcprocessingproject.uchicago.edu/files/Finding%20Aids/Harold%20Washington%27s%20Political%20Education%20Project%20Records.pdf|title=Harold Washington's Political Education Project Records, Chicago Public Library Special Collections|access-date=May 26, 2018}}</ref> Harold Washington's Political Education Project Records is an archival collection detailing the organization's work. It is located in the Chicago Public Library Special Collections, Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago, Illinois.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chipublib.org/branch/details/library/harold-washington/p/Spcharold/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=December 27, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229033630/http://www.chipublib.org/branch/details/library/harold-washington/p/Spcharold/ |archive-date=December 29, 2013 }}</ref>

=== DuSable Park ===
{{Main|DuSable Park (Chicago)}}
Washington, during his mayorship, announced a plan to redevelop a commercial site into a [[DuSable Park (Chicago)|DuSable Park]], named in honor of [[Jean Baptiste Point du Sable]], the honorary founder of the city. The project has yet to be completed, has experienced a number of bureaucratic reconceptions and roadblocks, and is currently spearheaded by the [[DuSable Heritage Association]].

===Approval ratings===
Despite tumult between Washington and the City Council, Washington enjoyed positive approval among the city's residents.<ref name="Moser1">{{cite web |last1=Moser |first1=Whet |title=Rahm Emanuel: The Least Popular Mayor in Modern Chicago History |url=https://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/february-2016/rahm-emanuel-the-least-popular-mayor-in-modern-chicago-history/ |website=Chicago Magazine |access-date=26 November 2022 |date=February 1, 2016}}</ref>

An April 1987 ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' poll of voters indicated that there was a significant age and gender gap in Washington's approval, with Washington being more popularly approved of by voters under the age of 55 and by male voters.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lentz |first1=Philip |title=Gender, age gap confront mayor in '87 poll shows |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/388460247 |url-access=subscription| via=Newspapers.com |publisher=Chicago Tribune |access-date=26 November 2022 |language=en |date=April 21, 1987}}</ref>

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{| class="wikitable" style="width: 75%"
|-
! [[Voter segments in political polling|Segment polled]]
! Polling source
! Date
! Approve
! Disapprove
! Sample size
! Margin-of-error
! Polling method
! Citation
|-
| Registered voters
| Market Shares Corp. and ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''
| March 12–15, 1987
| style="background:#006800; color: white" |67%
|
| 1,145
| ±3
| Telephone
| <ref>{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Robert |title=Mayor is cruising in job-rating poll |publisher=Chicago Tribune |language=en |date=March 24, 1987}}:
* {{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Robert |title=Mayor is cruising in job-rating poll |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/388767161 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |publisher=Chicago Tribune |language=en |date=March 24, 1987 |page=1}}
* {{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Robert |title=Mayor |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/388767161 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |publisher=Chicago Tribune |language=en |date=March 24, 1987 |page=2}}</ref>
|-
| Registered voters
| [[Penn Schoen]]
| October 1986
| style="background:#006800; color: white" |54%
| 39%
| 1,200
|
|
| <ref>{{cite web |title=Vrdolyak |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/388735696 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription |publisher=Chicago Tribune |access-date=26 November 2022 |language=en |date=November 18, 1986}}</ref>
|-
| Residents
| ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''
| October 29–November 3, 1985
| style="background:#006800; color: white" |60%
| 30%
| 515
|
|
| <ref name="Nealnov181985">{{cite web |last1=Neal |first1=Steve |title=Mayor's job rating at its highest yet |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/388520596 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription |publisher=Chicago Tribune |access-date=26 November 2022 |language=en |date=November 18, 1985}}</ref>
|-
| Residents
| ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''
| March 1985
| style="background:#006800; color: white" |35%
| 21%
|
|
|
| <ref name="Nealnov181985"/>
|-
|
| ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''
| 1985
| style="background:#006800; color: white" |54%
| 36%
|
|
|
| <ref name="Moser1"/>
|}

===Historical assessments===
A 1993 survey of historians, political scientists and urban experts conducted by Melvin G. Holli of the [[University of Illinois at Chicago]] ranked Washington as the nineteenth-best American big-city mayor to have served between the years 1820 and 1993.<ref>{{Cite book | last = Holli | first = Melvin G. | title = The American Mayor | publisher = PSU Press | year = 1999 | location = University Park | url = https://archive.org/details/americanmayorbes0000holl | isbn = 0-271-01876-3 }}</ref>