Eugene Sawyer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eugene Sawyer
53rd Mayor of Chicago
In office December 2, 1987 – April 24, 1989
Deputy	David Orr Terry Gabinski
Preceded by	David Orr (acting)
Succeeded by	Richard M. Daley
Member of the Chicago City Council from the 6th ward
In office February 28, 1971 – December 2, 1987
Preceded by	A. A. Rayner Jr.
Succeeded by	Ronald Robinson (interim)
Personal details
Born	(1934-09-03)September 3, 1934 Greensboro, Alabama, U.S.
Died	January 19, 2008(2008-01-19) (aged 73) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Cause of death	Complications from a stroke
Resting place	Oak Woods Cemetery Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouses	Eleanor Taylor ​ ​ (m. 1955; div. 1984)​ Veronica L. Smith ​ (m. 1996)​
Children	3, including Roderick
Alma mater	Alabama State University

Eugene Sawyer Jr. (September 3, 1934 – January 19, 2008) was an American businessman, teacher, and politician. He became the 53rd Mayor of Chicago, Illinois, after the sudden death of Mayor Harold Washington. Sawyer served as mayor from December 2, 1987, to April 24, 1989. He was a member of the Democratic Party. Sawyer was also an alderman and the second African-American to become mayor of Chicago.

Eugene Sawyer: A Chicago Leader

Early Life and Education

Eugene Sawyer Jr. was born in Greensboro, Alabama. He was the oldest of six children. During his childhood, he often spent summer vacations in Chicago with his aunt.

Sawyer attended Alabama State University. He joined the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity there. While in college, Sawyer and his fraternity brothers helped provide security for Martin Luther King Jr. during the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott. He graduated in 1956 with a degree in chemistry.

After college, Sawyer briefly taught chemistry and mathematics in Prentiss, Mississippi. In 1957, he moved to Chicago for laboratory work. He then joined Chicago’s Department of Water in 1959, working there until 1971. While working for the city, Sawyer became involved in local politics. He joined the Sixth Ward Regular Democratic organization and the Young Democrats. By October 1968, he was president and financial secretary of the organization.

Becoming an Alderman

In February 1971, Eugene Sawyer was elected Alderman for Chicago's 6th Ward. An alderman is a member of the city council, which makes laws for the city. By 1987, he was the longest-serving black alderman on the Chicago City Council.

A big change happened when Mayor Harold Washington suddenly passed away. David Duvall Orr became the interim mayor. The city council then met to choose a new permanent mayor. Supporters of Mayor Washington in the council were divided. Some supported Alderman Sawyer, while others voted for Timothy C. Evans.

The City Council elected Sawyer as mayor after a long and difficult meeting. He received most of his votes from the council’s white aldermen. This led to some people accusing him of "selling out" to the white community. Protests from Evans’ supporters followed this decision.

Leading Chicago as Mayor

Eugene Sawyer became mayor in a quiet ceremony. It happened at 4:01 AM on December 2, 1987, in a restaurant parking lot. This was done to avoid large public protests. Sawyer was known for being soft-spoken. Because of this, local media sometimes called him "Mr. Mumbles" or "Mayor Mumbles."

As mayor, Sawyer continued many of the plans of the previous mayor. He approved Washington's budget for the 1988 fiscal year. In January 1988, Sawyer helped pass a law that ended the taxi monopoly in Chicago. This was something Mayor Washington had tried but could not achieve.

Despite the disagreements about his election, Sawyer successfully pushed for several important changes. He helped approve the installation of lights at Wrigley Field. He also supported the Clean Indoor Air Ordinance, which banned smoking indoors. Building on earlier efforts, Sawyer championed the Human Rights Ordinance, passed in 1988. This law protected people from discrimination. It was the first Chicago city law to recognize the rights of gay and lesbian Chicagoans.

Sawyer also helped encourage private companies to develop land near O'Hare International Airport. He also reached a special four-year agreement with the firemen's union.

In 1989, Sawyer ran for re-election as mayor. In the Democratic primary election, he was defeated by Richard M. Daley. Daley was the son of a former mayor, Richard J. Daley. Daley won 57% of the vote, while Sawyer received 40%.

Public Opinion

Sawyer was not as popular as Mayor Washington had been. However, he still had a good approval rating. Some polls showed that Chicagoans had doubts about his leadership. For example, a 1988 poll showed that many residents did not see him as "strong, decisive, and independent."

Later Life and Legacy

After losing the mayoral election, Sawyer also lost his bid to be re-elected as Democratic committeeman for the 6th Ward. He then decided to retire from politics. After retiring, he returned to working in business. Sawyer was also an active member of the Vernon Park Church of God in Chicago.

In 1998, Sawyer suffered a stroke. He passed away at age 73 on January 19, 2008. His death was due to a series of strokes and other health issues. A public viewing was held for Sawyer on January 25. His funeral took place on January 26. He was buried at Oak Woods Cemetery, where Mayor Harold Washington is also buried. Sawyer's official mayoral papers are kept at the Chicago Public Library. They are part of the Eugene Sawyer Collection at the Harold Washington Library.

Personal Life

Eugene Sawyer was married to Veronica Smith-Sawyer from 1996 until his death. Before that, he was married to Eleanor Taylor from 1955 to 1984. They had three children together: sons Roderick and Shedrick, and a daughter, Sheryl Sawyer McGill. Roderick followed in his father's footsteps in politics. In 2011, Roderick Sawyer was elected as the 6th ward alderman, holding the same position his father once did.

See also

• Steve Cokely