Harold Washington was a trailblazing politician who made history as the first African American to be elected as the mayor of Chicago in 1983. He served as the city’s leader for four and a half years, until his sudden and tragic death on November 25, 1987. He was only 65 years old. What caused his untimely demise? How did the city react to his passing? And what legacy did he leave behind? In this article, we will explore the cause of death of Harold Washington and his impact on Chicago and beyond.
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The Day of His Death
On the morning of November 25, 1987, Washington was in his fifth-floor office in City Hall, talking to a press aide. He had just returned from a trip to New York, where he had met with President Ronald Reagan and other mayors to discuss urban issues. He was also preparing for a budget meeting with the City Council later that day. He seemed to be in good spirits and health.
However, around 11 a.m., he suddenly slumped over his desk, his face resting on the desktop. He had suffered a massive heart attack. His press aide called for help, and paramedics arrived within minutes. They performed CPR and used a defibrillator to try to revive him, but to no avail. He was rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:36 p.m.
According to LiquiSearch, Cook County Medical Examiner Robert J. Stein performed an autopsy on Washington and concluded that he had died of a myocardial infarction, or a blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle. Washington had weighed 284 pounds (129 kg), and suffered from hypertension, high cholesterol levels, and an enlarged heart.
The City’s Response
Washington’s death sent shockwaves throughout Chicago and the nation. He was widely regarded as a charismatic and visionary leader who had overcome racial barriers and political opposition to transform the city. He had championed economic development, neighborhood revitalization, cultural diversity, and government reform. He had also built a broad coalition of supporters across racial, ethnic, and class lines.
Thousands of people lined up outside City Hall to pay their respects to Washington as his body lay in state in the rotunda. The lines contained blacks, whites, Hispanics, friends, foes, and everyone in between. Many wept openly and expressed their grief and gratitude for his service.
His funeral was held on December 2 at Christ Universal Temple on the South Side. More than 10,000 people attended the service, which featured eulogies from civil rights leaders Jesse Jackson and Andrew Young, Illinois Governor James Thompson, U.S. Senator Paul Simon, and U.S. Representative Charles Hayes. A procession of cars followed his hearse to Oak Woods Cemetery, where he was buried next to his father.
The Political Aftermath
Washington’s death also triggered a political crisis in Chicago. According to the city charter, the City Council had to elect an acting mayor from among its members within five days of his death. However, the council was deeply divided along racial lines, with 29 white aldermen forming a bloc against 21 black and Hispanic aldermen who supported Washington.
The white bloc initially tried to elect one of their own as mayor, but faced fierce resistance from the black and Hispanic bloc and the public. After a marathon session that lasted more than 40 hours, they finally agreed to choose Eugene Sawyer, a black alderman from the South Side who was seen as more moderate and conciliatory than Washington. Sawyer was sworn in as mayor on December 2 at 4:03 a.m., becoming the second African American to hold the office.
Sawyer served as mayor until a special election was held in 1989, which was won by Richard M. Daley, the son of former mayor Richard J. Daley who had ruled Chicago for 21 years until his death in 1976. Daley went on to serve as mayor for 22 years until he retired in 2011.
The Legacy of Harold Washington
Despite his short tenure as mayor, Harold Washington left an indelible mark on Chicago and its history. He is widely credited with breaking the grip of the Democratic machine that had dominated the city’s politics for decades. He is also praised for empowering minorities and women by appointing them to key positions in his administration and increasing their representation in city contracts and services. He is also remembered for promoting cultural diversity and civic engagement by creating programs such as the Chicago Cultural Plan of 1986 and the Neighborhood Festivals.
Washington’s name and image are still visible throughout Chicago today. There are several public buildings named after him, including the Harold Washington Library Center, the Harold Washington College, and the Harold Washington Cultural Center. There are also statues, murals, plaques, and portraits honoring him in various locations. His birthday, April 15, is celebrated as a city holiday.
Harold Washington was a pioneer, a leader, and a hero for many Chicagoans and Americans. His cause of death was a heart attack, but his cause of life was to make Chicago a better and more inclusive place for all. He once said, “I am here to make history, not headlines.” He did both, and his legacy lives on.
