Contents
- Descriptive Summary
- Processing Information note
- Related Archival Materials note
- Restrictions
- Historical Note
- Cited Sources
- Arrangement note
- Scope and Contents note
- Preferred Citation note
- Indexed Terms
- Inventory
Collection Access
Harold Washington’s Political Education Project (PEP) records
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Harold Washington’s Political Education Project (PEP) records
- Identifier
- BMRC.HWLC.HW_MAYOR-PEP
- Repository
- CPL- Harold Washington Library Center
- Language
- English
- Size
- 57.5 Linear feet
- Predominant Dates
- Bulk, 1982-1987
- Dates
- 1963-1989
- Language of Materials note
- Materials entirely in English.
- Abstract
- Harold Lee Washington (1922-1987) served as Mayor of the city of Chicago from 1983 until his death in 1987. The Political Education Project (PEP) was formed in 1984 from members of Washington’s mayoral campaign staff. The organization served as Washington’s political arm, organizing delegates to the 1984 Democratic National Convention, Washington’s 1987 mayoral re-election campaign and the campaigns of his political allies. Harold Washington’s Political Education Project Records contain files related to Washington’s career and campaign efforts, including his mayoral campaign in 1983, participation in the 1984 Democratic National Convention, the 1986 Chicago special aldermanic election and Washington’s mayoral re-election campaign in 1987.
Processing Information note
Processed by CLIR funded Black Metropolis Research Consortium “Color Curtain Processing Project.” Processors: Meghan Courtney and Dominique Fuqua.
Restrictions
Some material has been redacted for privacy reasons.
Historical Note
Harold Washington was born April 15, 1922, at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois to Roy Lee Washington (1897-1953) and Bertha Jones Washington (1898-1980). He grew up in Chicago. After completing his Bachelor of Arts degree from Roosevelt College (now Roosevelt University) in 1949 and his Juris Doctor from Northwestern University in 1952, Washington immersed himself in politics.
Washington announced his mayoral candidacy on November 10, 1982. In 1983, he defeated incumbent Jane Byrne, William Markowski, Frank R. Ranallo, Sheila Jones and Richard M. Daley at the Democratic primary. Though some Democrats supported Republican Bernard Epton in the general election, Washington prevailed with 52 percent of the vote to Epton’s 48 percent. During much of his first term, Washington struggled to pass legislation against a City Council controlled by political opponent, Ed Vrdolyak. Chicago journalists dubbed the rivalry between the two “Council Wars.”
Harold Washington established the Political Education Project (PEP) in 1984, in advance of the Democratic National Convention. The organization supported Washington’s interests in electoral politics beyond the Office of the Mayor, and many of the members of Washington’s 1983 mayoral campaign staff became part of PEP. PEP helped organize political candidates for statewide elections in 1984 as well as delegates to the Democratic National Convention of the same year.
In 1986, the special aldermanic elections changed the balance of power in the Chicago City Council. PEP used its political connections to support progressive candidates such as Luis Gutierrez and Jesus Garcia 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.
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. PEP staff members, such as Joseph Gardner and Helen Shiller, went on to play leading roles in Chicago politics. The organization disbanded upon Harold Washington’s death.
Harold Washington died at 1:36 PM on November 25, 1987 after he suffered a cardiac arrest at his desk. He left a legacy as the first African American elected mayor of Chicago, creator of the Chicago Ethics Commission, and proponent of equitable distribution of city services across all neighborhoods. He also authored Illinois’ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Bill, which made Illinois the first state to honor Dr. King with an official holiday. Washington was buried in Oak Woods Cemetery.
Cited Sources
“Favorite Son Slate Planned,” The New York Times, January 4, 1984, accessed June 6, 2013, http://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/04/us/favorite-son-slate- planned.html?emc=eta1
Arrangement note
The Harold Washington’s Political Education Project Records range from 1963 to 1989, though the bulk of the material falls between 1982 and 1987. The Records are arranged into six series:
SERIES I. Political Education Project Administrative, 1981-1987. Boxes 1-8, 121. Subseries 1. PEP Founding and 1984 Democratic National Convention, 1982-1987. Boxes 1-2. Subseries 2. 1986 Special Aldermanic Election, 1982-1986. Boxes 2-4. Subseries 3. 1987 Mayoral Election, 1981-1987. Boxes 4-8, 121.
SERIES II. 1983 Mayoral Election, 1977-1984. Boxes 9-24, 121-123, 127-128.
Subseries 1. Administrative, 1982-1984.
Subseries 2. Central Office Activities, 1977-1984, bulk 1983. Subsubseries A. Correspondence. Boxes 9-10. Subsubseries B. Events, Fundraising. Boxes 10-11, 121-123. Subsubseries C. Events, Holds, Non-Fundraising. Box 11. Subsubseries D. Campaign Schedules. Box 11. Subsubseries E. Research. Box 11-13.
Subseries 3. Central Office Personnel, 1974-1984. Subsubseries A. Staff files. Box 13. Subsubseries B. Edwin C. "Bill" Berry files. Boxes 13-18. Subsubseries C. William "Bill" Ware files. Box 18. Subsubseries D. Lawyers Committee files. Boxes 18-19. Subsubseres E. Volunteers. Box 19.
Subseries 4. Election, 1982-1984. Boxes 19, 127, 128.
Subseries 5. Press and Publicity, 1982-1983. Box 20.
Subseries 6. Transition, 1977-1983. Boxes 20-22. Subsubseries A. Blue Ribbon Task Force to the Transition Team. Boxes 20-22. Subsubseries B. Agency Reports. Boxes 22-23. Subsubseries C. Policy Task Forces. Boxes 23-24.
SERIES III. 1984 Presidential, State and Local Elections, 1981-1986. Boxes 24-28, 123.
Subseries 1. 1984 Democratic National Convention, 1983-1984. Subsubseries A. Convention Delegates. Boxes 24-26, 123. Subsubseries B. Platform Committee. Boxes 27-28, 123.
Subseries 2. Field Operations, Election Results and Community Organizing, 1981-1986.
SERIES IV. 1986 Special Aldermanic Election, 1977-1986. Boxes 29-35, 123. Subseries 1. Research, 1984-1986. Boxes 29-30. Subseries 2. Election, 1984-1986. Boxes 30-34, 123. Subseries 3. Press and Publicity, 1977-1987. Boxes 34-35.
SERIES V. 1987 Mayoral Election, 1963-1987. Boxes 35-100, 123, 124, 126.
Subseries 1. Committee to Re-Elect Mayor Washington, Activities, 1963-1987, bulk 1986-1987. Subsubseries A. Correspondence. Boxes 35-36, 123. Subsubseries B. Fundraising. Boxes 36-40, 123. Subsubseries C. Events. Boxes 40-45. Subsubseries D. Schedules. Boxes 45-46. Subsubseries E. Research Department. Boxes 46-79.
Subseries 2. Committee to Re-Elect Mayor Washington, Personnel, 1983-1987. Subsubseries A. Staff. Boxes 79-81. Subsubseries B. Philip John, Deputy Voter Registrar Program Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator files. Boxes 81-87, 126. Subsubseries C. Volunteers. Boxes 87-90, 123.
Subseries 3. Election, 1983-1987.
Subseries 4. Press and Publicity, 1984-1988. Subsubseries A. Campaign Literature. Box 97. Subsubseries B. Endorsements. Boxes 97-98. Subsubseries C. Media. Box 98. Subsubseries D. Press Releases. Box 99. Subsubseries E. Speeches and Remarks. Box 100.
SERIES VI. Harold Washington, 1964-1989. Boxes 100-120, 125.
Subseries 1. Pre-Mayoral Career, 1964-1984.
Subseries 2. Mayoral Administration, 1980-1989. Subsubseries A. Administrative Records, Mayor's Office. Boxes 101-110. Subsubseries B. City of Chicago Reports and Publications. Boxes 110-111. Subsubseries C. Judith Byrd files, Assistant Commissioner of Aviation. Boxes 112-114. Subsubseries D. Ira Edelson, Special Advisor to the Mayor for the Finance Department. Boxes 114-119.
Subseries 3. Obituaries and Memorials, 1987-1988. Boxes 119-120, 125.
Scope and Contents note
The documents of Harold Washington's Political Education Project (PEP) records include correspondence, memorandums, news clippings, contact information, legal documents, reports, meeting minutes, City of Chicago brochures, budget drafts and ordinances, volunteer pledge cards, intra-office forms, schedules, research materials and photographs.
Preferred Citation note
When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Harold Washington's Political Education Project records, [Box #, Folder #], Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago, Illinois
Indexed Terms
- Berry, Edwin C., 1910-1987
- Democratic National Convention.
- Students for a Democratic Society. (U.S.)
- Washington, Harold, 1922-1987
- Chicago (Ill.). City Council
- Chicago (Ill.). Mayor (1983-1987: Washington)
Inventory
Boxes 1-8, 121.
The records Series I. Political Education Project Administrative, 1981-1987 are arranged in three subseries. The series and subseries arrangement of the records is as follows:
Subseries 1. PEP Founding and 1984 Democratic National Convention, 1982-1987. Boxes 1-2. Subseries 2. 1986 Special Aldermanic Election, 1982-1986. Boxes 2-4. Subseries 3. 1987 Mayoral Election, 1981-1987. Boxes 4-8, 121.
This series consists of administrative documents created by the Political Education Project (PEP). It includes office documents, such as a building lease, staff contact information and PEP employee files. As Harold Washington’s political arm, PEP supported Washington’s interests in electoral politics beyond the Office of the Mayor and maintained office space and separate staff to meet those needs. Notable staff members include Joseph Gardner, PEP Executive Director, Helen Shiller, PEP Technical Assistance Director and future 46th ward alderman, and Mercedes Mallette, PEP Treasurer.
This subseries is comprised of PEP founding documents such as articles of incorporation, delegate and volunteer contact information, correspondence and voter registration forms. As their first project, PEP recruited Illinois delegates to the Democratic National Convention to pledge their support for Washington as a Presidential Candidate on the “Favorite Son Slate,” which aimed to increase Washington’s political power as Chicago’s mayor.
This subseries contains PEP administrative materials created during the 1986 special aldermanic election in Chicago. Harold Washington and his allies alleged that ward boundaries established after the 1980 Federal Population Census unfairly favored white candidates. The federal courts agreed, and ward boundaries were redrawn subject to the court’s approval. Each of the seven adjusted wards held a special election for alderman before the regularly scheduled 1987 aldermanic and mayoral election. The PEP office helped these special aldermanic campaigns by managing legal complaints related to redistricting and discrimination as well as providing staff guidance. This series consists of staff correspondence, personnel forms, receipts and telephone messages as well as PEP bills and meeting minutes. Correspondence with the Chicago Board of Elections can also be found in this subseries.
This subseries contains PEP documents created during the 1987 mayoral election in Chicago. In 1987, PEP staff formed the Committee to Re-Elect Mayor Washington to manage the mayoral campaign of 1987 as well as the Mayor Washington Fund, Washington’s campaign war chest. This subseries consists of office bills and equipment ordering information, staff contact information, campaign contribution reporting forms, office correspondence and bills paid by the Mayor Washington Fund.
The records of Series II. 1983 Mayoral Election, 1977-1984. Boxes 9-24, 121-123, 127-128 are arranged into five subseries. Three subseries are further divided into subsubseries. The series and subseries arrangement of the records is as follows:
Subseries 1. Administrative, 1982-1984. Box 9.
Subseries 2. Central Office Activities, 1977-1984, bulk 1983. Subsubseries A. Correspondence. Boxes 9-10. Subsubseries B. Events, Fundraising. Boxes 10-11, 121-123. Subsubseries C. Events, Holds, Non-Fundraising. Box 11. Subsubseries D. Campaign Schedules. Box 11. Subsubseries E. Research. Box 11-13.
Subseries 3. Central Office Personnel, 1974-1984. Subsubseries A. Transition Team. Boxes 13-18. Subsubseries B. William "Bill" Ware. Box 18. Subsubseries C. Lawyers Committee. Boxes 18-19. Subsubseres D. Volunteers. Box 19.
Subseries 4. Election, 1982-1984. Boxes 19, 127, 128.
Subseries 5. Press and Publicity, 1982-1983. Box 20.
Subseries 6. Transition, 1977-1983. Boxes 20-22. Subsubseries A. Blue Ribbon Task Force to the Transition Team. Boxes 20-22. Subsubseries B. Agency Reports. Boxes 22-23. Subsubseries C. Policy Task Forces. Boxes 23-24.
These records were created at the Central Campaign Office in downtown Chicago, which was established shortly after Harold Washington became a mayoral candidate in late 1982. They represent the work of Washington’s Mayoral Campaign Office, before the creation of the Political Education Project. Campaign personnel produced most of the materials included in this series while working under the direction of campaign manager Al Raby. Congressman Harold Washington won the Democratic primary on February 22, 1983, defeating both Mayor Jane M. Byrne and Illinois States Attorney Richard M. Daley in that political race. He carried the mayoral general election on April 12, 1983 against Republican candidate Bernard E. Epton. Washington was inaugurated as Mayor of Chicago on April 29, 1983. This series contains items related to Harold Washington's 1983 campaign as well as his campaign staff’s preparations to assume office. Although the date range for this series is 1980-1984, the bulk of the material was created in 1983.
This subseries holds items related to the functions of the campaign’s Central Office, and includes telephone messages, reports of expenditures, invoices and campaign committee reports.
This subseries contains material generated by the functions of Harold Washington’s political campaign office.
The records of Series II. 1983 Mayoral Election, 1977-1984, Subseries 2. Central Office Activities, 1977-1984, bulk 1983 are further arranged into five subsubseries. The subsubseries arrangement of the records is as follows:
Subsubseries A. Correspondence. Boxes 9-10. Subsubseries B. Events, Fundraising. Boxes 10-11, 121-123. Subsubseries C. Events, Holds, Non-Fundraising. Box 11. Subsubseries D. Campaign Schedules. Box 11. Subsubseries E. Research. Box 11-13.
Correspondence holds incoming staff correspondence. Boxes 9-10.
Events, Fundraising contains fundraising correspondence and materials related to campaign funds. Boxes 10-11, 121-123.
Events, General holds files on non-fundraising campaign events. Box 11.
Schedules contains several campaign schedules for both Harold Washington and campaign staff. Box 11.
Research represents political and statistical information about Chicago, community organization contact information and campaign finance documents for other mayoral candidates, such as Richard M. Daley. Boxes 11-13.
This subseries includes files related to campaign workers who supported Washington during his successful mayoral election in 1983. While under the instruction of Campaign Manager Al Raby and Deputy Campaign Manager Kenneth Glover, key campaign staff such as Edwin C. “Bill” Berry and William “Bill” Ware contributed to Washington’s mayoral campaign strategy. Many of these campaign workers also worked on Washington’s Transition Team.
Another set of individual files include Ware, William “Bill,” which contains campaign files created by Ware in his role in Washington’s campaign. Committees contains files related to a Lawyers Committee supporting Washington’s campaign. Volunteers contains correspondence with campaign volunteers, sign-in sheets, procedures and volunteer pledge cards.
The records of Series II. 1983 Mayoral Election, 1977-1984, Subseries 3. Central Office Personnel, 1974-1984 are further arranged in five subsubseries. The subsubseries arrangement of the records is as follows:
Subsubseries A. Staff files. Box 13. Subsubseries B. Edwin C. "Bill" Berry files. Boxes 13-18. Subsubseries C. William "Bill" Ware files. Box 18. Subsubseries D. Lawyers Committee files. Boxes 18-19. Subsubseres E. Volunteers. Box 19.
Staff contains resumes from applicants for Washington's mayoral campaign, staff procedures and directories. Box 13.
Berry, Edwin C. "Bill" is comprised of campaign files created or received by Edwin C. Berry in his role as Chair of the Steering Committee and Co-Chairman of the Transition Oversight Committee (a title shared with Jim O’Connor). Because Berry held a central role in the campaign this section reflects the functions of the campaign staff as a whole and also includes correspondence with Washington’s Campaign Manager Al Raby and Deputy Campaign Manager Kenneth Glover. Boxes 13-18.
Ware, William "Bill" contains campaigns files created by Ware in his role in Washington's campaign. Box 18.
Committees contains files related to a Lawyers Committee supporting Washington's campaign. Boxes 18-19.
Volunteers contains correspondence with campaign volunteers, sign-in sheets, procedures and volunteer pledge cards. Box 19.
This subseries includes files related to the 1983 mayoral election. It consists of statements of candidacy, absentee ballot documents, election night plans, election reports, lists of election results and a voter turnout phone-a-thon report.
This subseries holds files representing the campaign’s efforts to express Harold Washington’s viewpoints to voters and encourage them to vote for Washington. Notably, this subseries includes Harold Washington’s 1983 inaugural speech.
This subseries contains files generated as Washington's Transition Team prepared to take office.
The records of Series II. 1983 Mayoral Election, 1977-1984, Subseries 6. Transition, 1977-1983 are further arranged into three subsubseries. The subsubseries arrangement of the records is as follows:
Subsubseries A. Blue Ribbon Task Force to the Transition Team. Boxes 20-22. Subsubseries B. Agency Reports. Boxes 22-23. Subsubseries C. Policy Task Forces. Boxes 23-24.
Transition Team consists of correspondence, committee reports and recommendations from Washington’s Transition Team. For each policy area, the Transition Team created a Blue Ribbon Task Force of experts on the subject matter. These Task Forces reported to the Transition Team and helped them shape future policy for city departments. Reports of the Blue Ribbon Task Force to the Transition Team are included. Boxes 20-22.
Agency Reports reflect the team's use of surveys to assess the condition of various city departments in order to craft legislation and reform for city government. Boxes 22-23.
Policy Task Forces contains the work of the Blue Ribbon Task Force, which was created to help Washington plan for the policy needs of different city agencies, such as the Chicago Council on Fine Arts, Chicago Public Library, and the Department of Neighborhoods. Boxes 23-24.
The Political Education Project (PEP) worked to further Washington’s legislative agenda by supporting Democratic candidates in the 1984 national, state and local elections. PEP recruited Illinois delegates to the Democratic National Convention to pledge their support for Washington as a Presidential Candidate on the “Favorite Son Slate.” Though Washington made no national-level run for the presidency, he leveraged his 1984 convention delegates for political gain. Delegates who supported Washington’s “Favorite Son Slate” also supported his participation in the Democratic Platform Committee. Additionally, Harold Washington’s Political Education Project provided Chicago-based support for national, statewide and local level Democratic candidates in the 1984 elections. This series includes correspondence, convention delegates’ Statements of Preference for Harold Washington as the Democratic nominee and Democratic Platform drafting documents.
The records of Series III. 1984 Presidential, State and Local Elections, 1981-1986. Boxes 24-28, 123 are arranged in two subseries. One subseries is further arranged into two subsubseries. The series and subseries arrangement of the records is as follows:
Subseries 1. 1984 Democratic National Convention, 1983-1984. Subsubseries A. Convention Delegates. Boxes 24-26, 123. Subsubseries B. Platform Committee. Boxes 27-28, 123. Subseries 2. Field Operations, Election Results and Community Organizing, 1981-1986.
Harold Washington’s Political Education Project organized Illinois Democrats who supported Washington to serve as delegates in the Democratic National Convention held July 16-19, 1984 in San Francisco. This subseries contains forms, petitions and Statements of Candidacy for delegates as well as publicity materials for Washington’s “Favorite Son Slate” of candidates. Though Washington had no intention of seeking the presidential nomination in 1984, he collected 35 uncommitted delegates from 6 Illinois Congressional Districts who pledged their support for his “favorite son” candidacy. The “favorite son” method is a political tactic used when a candidate knows he or she can count on local support to increase their political power without having to mount a full-fledged national presidential campaign. Washington’s ability to organize delegates functioned as a symbol of Washington’s political standing among progressive black politicians in Illinois. He was also free to release his delegates to the candidate of his choosing at the convention. Also included in this subseries are statements, testimonies and other draft materials to the 1984 Democratic Platform Committee. Documents show the Democratic Platform in its planning stages during the Democratic National Convention. A copy of the finished Platform is also included.
The records of Series III. 1984 Presidential, State and Local Elections, 1981-1986. Subseries 1. 1984 Democratic National Convention, 1983-1984 are further arranged into two subsubseries. The subsubseries arrangement of the records is as follows:
Subsubseries A. Convention Delegates. Boxes 24-26, 123. Subsubseries B. Platform Committee. Boxes 27-28, 123.
Convention Delegates contains materials related to Washington's "Favorite Son Slate" of delegates, such as flyers, delegate correspondence, Declarations of Preference forms for President of the United States and Democratic Party Fact Books. Boxes 24-26, 123.
Platform Committee consists of statements, testimonies, Platform Committee reports and plans to present Washington’s Economic Agenda for American Cities. These documents represent the Democratic National Convention Platform Committee drafting stages that took place in June 1984. Box 26.
During the 1984 general election, Harold Washington’s Political Education Project provided Chicago-based support for national and statewide Democratic candidates. This subseries contains Chicago Ward maps, election results lists, polling place information and election day volunteer information. The subseries also includes correspondence and contact information for community groups PEP organized to help with the election.
The records of Series IV. 1986 Special Aldermanic Election, 1977-1986. Boxes 29-35, 123 are arranged in three subseries. The subseries arrangement of the records is as follows:
Subseries 1. Research, 1984-1986. Boxes 29-30. Subseries 2. Election, 1984-1986. Boxes 30-34, 123. Subseries 3. Press and Publicity, 1977-1987. Boxes 34-35.
This series represents Washington’s Political Education Project’s efforts to elect political allies to the Chicago City Council. Harold Washington and his allies alleged that ward boundaries established after the 1980 Federal Population Census unfairly favored white candidates. The federal courts agreed, and ward boundaries were redrawn subject to the court’s approval. Each of the seven adjusted wards held a special election for alderman on March 18, 1986, nearly a year before the regularly scheduled 1987 aldermanic and mayoral election. Notably, PEP worked to support the successful candidacies of Luis Gutierrez and Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, who went on to higher office in Cook County and Illinois after their service as Chicago Aldermen. The successful election of these candidates ended the “Council Wars” that stymied Washington’s early legislative efforts. The PEP office helped these special aldermanic campaigns by managing legal complaints related to redistricting and discrimination as well as providing staff guidance to aldermanic campaigns. Of the seven wards, Harold Washington allies won 4 seats, creating an even split in the City Council between Washington allies and Vrdolyak allies. As mayor, Harold Washington had the power to cast a deciding vote on legislation. Boxes 29-35, 123.
This subseries contains research materials collected by the Political Education Project staff during the 1986 aldermanic elections. Files contain news clippings, articles, flyers, and court cases related to Chicago issues and a lawsuit brought by Mars Ketchum alleging racial discrimination in the Chicago City Council’s efforts to redraw voter districts after the 1980 Federal Population Census. The Ketchum case forced the 1986 Special Election after the federal court ordered a more equitable re-drawing of ward boundaries. Boxes 29-30.
This subseries outlines the campaigns’ preparation for the election and election day plans. It includes schedules, volunteer coordination, poll watcher information packets, election-related paperwork, voter tally sheets and election results. Boxes 30-34, 123.
This subseries contains materials related to the Political Education Project’s interactions with the media during the 1986 special aldermanic election. It contains newspapers, news clippings, newsletters, press releases, other promotional material and correspondence. Boxes 34-35.
When Harold Washington ran for re-election in 1987, PEP created the Committee to Re-Elect Mayor Washington to serve as the official campaign organization. The Committee to Re-Elect Mayor Washington was responsible for promoting Mayor Washington’s campaign platform, schedule and public image. During the mayoral Democratic primary, held on February 24, 1987, Washington defeated former mayor Jane Byrne and Sheila Jones. In the general election, held April 7, 1987, Washington prevailed against Ed Vrdolyak, who represented the Illinois Solidarity Party, and Don Haider, the Republican candidate. Boxes 35-100, 123, 124, 126.
The records of Series V. 1987 Mayoral Election, 1963-1987. Boxes 35-100, 123, 124, 126 are arranged in four subseries. Three of the subseries are further arranged into subsubseries. The subseries arrangement of the records is as follows:
Subseries 1. Committee to Re-Elect Mayor Washington, Activities, 1963-1987, bulk 1986-1987. Subsubseries A. Correspondence. Boxes 35-36, 123. Subsubseries B. Fundraising. Boxes 36-40, 123. Subsubseries C. Events. Boxes 40-45. Subsubseries D. Schedules. Boxes 45-46. Subsubseries E. Research Department. Boxes 46-79.
Subseries 2. Committee to Re-Elect Mayor Washington, Personnel, 1983-1987. Subsubseries A. Staff. Boxes 79-81. Subsubseries B. Deputy Voter Registrar Program Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator files. Boxes 81-87, 126. Subsubseries C. Volunteers. Boxes 87-90, 123.
Subseries 3. Election, 1983-1987.
Subseries 4. Press and Publicity, 1984-1988. Subsubseries A. Campaign Literature. Box 97. Subsubseries B. Endorsements. Boxes 97-98. Subsubseries C. Media. Box 98. Subsubseries D. Press Releases. Box 99. Subsubseries E. Speeches and Remarks. Box 100.
This subseries reflects the administrative and political activities of the Committee to Re-Elect Mayor Washington.
The records Series V. 1987 Mayoral Election, 1963-1987, Subseries 1. Committee to Re-Elect Mayor Washington, Activities, 1963-1987, bulk 1986-1987 are further arranged into five subsubseries. The subsubseries arrangement of the records is as follows:
Subsubseries A. Correspondence. Boxes 35-36, 123. Subsubseries B. Fundraising. Boxes 36-40, 123. Subsubseries C. Events. Boxes 40-45. Subsubseries D. Schedules. Boxes 45-46. Subsubseries E. Research Department. Boxes 46-79.
Correspondence contains staff correspondence and memorandums as well as campaign communications with community groups. Boxes 35-36, 123.
Fundraising contains files from the fundraising committee, such as documents related to the Mayor Washington Fund, the official campaign account for the Committee to Re-Elect Mayor Washington. Boxes 36-40, 123.
Events contains event planning materials and event-specific standard forms used to keep track of various fundraising events, hosts, locations and total funds raised. Boxes 40-45.
Schedules consists of both staff schedules and Harold Washington’s campaign schedules. Boxes 45-46.
Research contains items related to the functioning of the Research Department, such as correspondence and meeting minutes, though the bulk of the material is opposition research in the form of news clippings. Research related to mayoral debate preparations can also be found in this subheading. Boxes 46-79.
This subseries includes materials related to the functions of campaign staff and volunteers who worked for the Committee to Re-Elect Mayor Washington.
The records of Series V. 1987 Mayoral Election, 1963-1987, Subseries 2. Committee to Re-Elect Mayor Washington, Personnel, 1983-1987 are futher arranged in three subsubseries. The subseries arrangement of the records is as follows:
Subsubseries A. Staff. Boxes 79-81. Subsubseries B. Philip John, Deputy Voter Registrar Program Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator files. Boxes 81-87, 126. Subsubseries C. Volunteers. Boxes 87-90, 123.
Staff contains contact information, schedules and resumes under the staff subheading. Boxes 79-81.
Individual Files: John, Philip, Deputy Voter Registrar Program Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator includes correspondence, memorandums, voter registration documents, volunteer phone bank materials and schedules related to Philip John’s work as Deputy Voter Registrar Program Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator. Boxes 81-87, 126.
Volunteers contains schedules, volunteer contact information, volunteer procedures and pledge cards. Boxes 87-90, 123.
This subseries contains materials representing the Committee to Re-Elect Mayor Washington’s efforts to increase voter registration, encourage voters to choose Harold Washington at their polling places and celebrate Washington’s successful re-election. The 1987 mayoral primary was held on February 24, 1987 and the general election took place on April 7, 1987. This subseries includes meeting minutes and petitions used to plan election strategy, voter registration files that reflect the campaign’s efforts to register people to vote and remove ineligible voters from voter registration lists, legal forms, phone bank materials, election day cash voucher forms for election day workers, campaign strategy notes and election day poll watcher plans, memorandums, plans for election night celebrations and inaugural balls and official summaries of election returns in the 1987 Chicago mayor’s race. Boxes 90-97, 123, 124.
This subseries contains materials related to the Committee to Re-Elect Mayor Washington’s interactions with the media in Harold Washington’s 1987 mayoral re-election.
The records of Series V. 1987 Mayoral Election, 1963-1987, Subseries 4. Press and Publicity, 1984-1988, are further arranged in five subsubseries. The subsubseries arrangement of the records is as follows:
Subsubseries A. Campaign Literature. Box 97. Subsubseries B. Endorsements. Boxes 97-98. Subsubseries C. Media. Box 98. Subsubseries D. Press Releases. Box 99. Subsubseries E. Speeches and Remarks. Box 100.
Campaign Literature contains Washington’s campaign flyers, brochures and drafts. Box 97.
Endorsements include both endorsements of Washington as mayor and Washington’s endorsements of aldermanic candidates. Boxes 97-98.
Media contains television commercial planning documents, memorandums about campaign media strategy and candidate questionnaires. Box 98.
Press Releases contains campaign-related press releases on Washington’s programs and events. Box 99.
Speeches and Remarks contain Washington’s prepared remarks for campaign events. Box 100.
The series includes files found in this collection that document Harold Washington’s political career before being elected Mayor of Chicago in 1983, the operations of his mayoral administration during his time in office and memorial service clippings and plans to commemorate his legacy.
Pre-Mayoral Career contains correspondence, Students for a Democratic Society flyers and files from Harold Washington’s Senate office.
Mayoral Administration holds memorandums, correspondence and city publications and planning documents related to Washington as Chicago’s Mayor.
Obituaries and Memorials contains news clippings about Washington’s life and passing, as well as plans for memorial services. Boxes 100-120, 125.
The records of Series VI. Harold Washington, 1964-1989 is arranged in three subseries. Subseries 2 is further arranged in four subsubseries. The subseries and subsubseries arrangement of the records is as follows:
Subseries 1. Pre-Mayoral Career, 1964-1984. Subseries 2. Mayoral Administration, 1980-1989. Subsubseries A. Administrative Records, Mayor's Office. Boxes 101-110. Subsubseries B. City of Chicago Reports and Publications. Boxes 110-111. Subsubseries C. Judith Byrd files, Assistant Commissioner of Aviation. Boxes 112-114. Subsubseries D. Ira Edelson, Special Advisor to the Mayor for the Finance Department. Boxes 114-119. Subseries 3. Obituaries and Memorials, 1987-1988. Boxes 119-120, 125.
This subseries contains files from Harold Washington’s life before his election as Chicago’s mayor. It contains Lucy Montgomery correspondence, flyers and news clippings related to Students for a Democratic Society, office telephone messages, memorandums and correspondence from Harold Washington’s senate office between 1977 and 1983. Boxes 100-101.
This subseries contains material generated as part of Harold Washington’s mayoral administration. It includes proposed city programs, budget plans, City Council reports, legislation and correspondence between various city departments. It also contains the individual files of Judith Byrd, Assistant Commissioner in the Department of Aviation, and Ira Edelson, Special Advisor to the Mayor for the Finance Department.
The records of Series VI. Harold Washington, 1964-1989, Subseries 2. Mayoral Administration, 1980-1989 is further arranged in four subsubseries. The subsubseries arrangement of the records is as follows:
Subsubseries A. Administrative Records, Mayor's Office. Boxes 101-110. Subsubseries B. City of Chicago Reports and Publications. Boxes 110-111. Subsubseries C. Judith Byrd files, Assistant Commissioner of Aviation. Boxes 112-114. Subsubseries D. Ira Edelson, Special Advisor to the Mayor for the Finance Department. Boxes 114-119.
Administrative Records contains items created through the functions of the Mayor’s Office. Memorandums, correspondence and press releases between Mayor’s Office staff can be found in this subheading. Boxes 101-110.
City of Chicago Reports and Publications contains City Council Journal Proceedings and reports from various City of Chicago Departments. Boxes 110-111.
Individual Files: Byrd, Judith contains files created by Judith Byrd in her role as Assistant Commissioner of Aviation as the department negotiated service contracts for the newly constructed O’Hare International Airport. Boxes 112-114.
Individual Files: Edelson, Ira contains files created by Ira Edelson in his role as Special Advisor to the Mayor for the Finance Department. Boxes 114-119.
This subseries contains items related to Harold Washington’s death and memorials. The bulk of the material consists of newspaper articles and clippings of Washington obituaries. The subseries also includes memorial service planning documents, guest lists and memorabilia. Boxes 119-120, 125.