Two Political Icons Who Changed the Course of Politics and History in Chicago, Cook County & Illinois
Mayor Harold Washington and Cook County Board President John S. Stroger, Jr.
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Harold Washington, Chicago’s greatest mayor, was the first African-American elected mayor of the City of Chicago.
“Harold: The Making of a Big City Mayor”
In the book, Bratcher zeroes in on how this spirited campaign got off the ground, how the dream was accomplished, and the uphill struggle that brought it about. The book focuses on:
- The early stages of the campaign
- Voter registration drive
- The infusion of racial politics into the campaign
- Excerpts/statements/speeches on the campaign trail
- Washington’s views on the Rev. Jesse Jackson
- Interviews following his inauguration
- Black aldermen’s views on the city’s first black mayor
- Council wars/polarization
- Selected quotes from the campaign
- The battle cry for change
- Why Washington accused former Mayor Jane Byrne of trying to destroy the Democratic Party
- Washington accused the Vrdolyak ’29, headed by then Alderman Edward Vrdolyak, of a nervous reaction to his administration’s reform process. Vrdolyak tried to sabotage every agenda Washington tried to put in place or change.
- 16 pictorial pages
$10 plus $3.00 S&H
President John S. Stroger, Jr., First Black President of the Cook County Board of Commissioner
“Beyond the Boardroom: Empowering a New Generation of Leaders”
A biography of John Herman Stroger, Jr., the first African-American elected president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, was a legendary icon in county, city and state politics
Stroger spent almost four decades in public office. He was elected as a Commissioner to the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 1970. He served as ward committeeman before becoming a commissioner. During his 24 years as a sitting commissioner and then heading up the powerful Finance Committee, Stroger made a run for President in 1994, and won. At the age of 77, Stroger was running for a four-peat term in 2005. He said he was running for re-election because he had a vision for County for the next four years.
In the book Stroger discussed race and politics, dealing with the white media
“I’ve been dealing with race in terms of different racial people and culture. There are some people who are saying subtly that some race is being played in it (2006 campaign). But when you got a guy of my pigmentation and a white guy running there may be some race (involved). But as you know, even before I got to be President, I (put together) a multi-racial group. I’d like to think that I’d be judged in the end on my performance as an elected official.”
- Quotes from various elected officials
- Stroger’s staying power
- Stroger suffered a debilitating stroke. He won the primary election but asked Democratic Party to replace him on the ballot with son, Todd
- Stroger goes out a winner, declaring: “This is probably one of the most difficult periods in my life (recuperating from stroke, and calling it quits). This is a battle I’m going to win.”
$22.95 plus $3.50 S & H
Author: Award-Winning Journalist Dr. Juanita Bratcher
STIMULATE THE MIND: READ A GOOD BOOK. ORDER YOUR COPIES TODAY at 773 375-8127 or e-mail: www.juanitabratcher@yahoo.com