Harold Washington (April 15, 1922 – November 25, 1987)

First Black Mayor of Chicago from 1983-1987

African-American Spotlight of the Week

Mayor Washinton's Accomplishments

• Coalition building between neighborhood groups, and special interest groups
• Community development; providing services for neighborhoods including streets, and curbs
• Gutters rehabilitation
• Creation of the Ethics Commission
• Opening of government to Freedom of Information
• More Minority Business Contracts, including the largest in the city's history, the People Mover at O'Hare airport.