Wilson Frost facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wilson Frost
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Frost, 1974.
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| Commissioner of the Cook County Board of Appeals | |
| In office 1986–1998 Serving with Harry H. Semrow (1986–1987)
Thomas A. Jaconetty (1988) Joseph Berrios (1988–1998) |
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| Preceded by | Pat Quinn |
| Chicago Alderman from the 34th Ward | |
| In office 1971–1987 |
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| Preceded by | Rex Sande |
| Succeeded by | Lemuel Austin Jr. |
| Chicago Alderman from the 21st Ward | |
| In office April 1967 – February 1971 |
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| Preceded by | Samuel Yaksic |
| Succeeded by | Bennett M. Stewart |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Wilson Lee Frost
December 27, 1925 Cairo, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | May 5, 2018 (aged 92) Palm Desert, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Spouse |
Gloria Frost
(m. 1951) |
| Children | 4 |
| Residences | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Education | Phillips Academy High School |
| Alma mater |
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Wilson Lee Frost (born December 27, 1925 – died May 5, 2018) was an American politician. He was an important leader in Chicago, Illinois, serving as an alderman for twenty years. An alderman is like a city council member who helps make decisions for the city. Frost represented the 21st Ward from 1967 to 1971 and the 34th Ward from 1971 to 1987.
In December 1976, after the mayor of Chicago, Richard J. Daley, passed away, Wilson Frost briefly became the acting mayor. If he had stayed in that role, he would have been the first African-American mayor of Chicago.
Contents
About Wilson Frost
His Early Life and Schooling
Wilson Lee Frost was born on December 27, 1925, in Cairo, Illinois. He was one of four children. When he was just six months old, his family moved to Chicago, Illinois, because of a big flood in Cairo. They settled in the Bronzeville neighborhood on the south side of Chicago.
Wilson went to Doolittle Elementary School, where he loved playing all sorts of sports. After finishing elementary school in 1939, he attended Wendell Phillips High School. This was a public high school where most students were Black.
High School and College Years
At Phillips High School, Wilson played junior varsity basketball and ran track. He also played football for a local team called the Chicago Junior Cardinals. He graduated from high school in 1943.
After high school, Wilson started studying accounting at Wilson Junior College (now called Kennedy-King College). But in 1944, he was drafted into the military during World War II. After the war, he worked for the U.S. government. In 1946, he went to Fisk University, where he joined a fraternity called Kappa Alpha Psi. Later, he returned to Chicago and earned a law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law. He then became a lawyer in Chicago.
Serving Chicago as Alderman (1967–1987)
Wilson Frost was first elected as an alderman in April 1967. He won against Samuel Yaksic and began representing the 21st Ward, which was mostly African-American. Frost was a member of the Democratic Party and was known for his loyalty to the city's political leaders. Because of his dedication, he was chosen to be the president pro tempore of the Chicago City Council. This role meant he was a leader within the city council.
In 1971, Frost became the alderman for the 34th Ward. He continued to work hard for the people of Chicago.
A Moment in History: Acting Mayor
In December 1976, something very important happened. The long-time mayor of Chicago, Richard J. Daley, passed away. Wilson Frost believed that because he was the president pro tempore of the City Council, he should become the acting mayor. He thought this was how the city rules worked.
However, many people in Chicago at that time were not ready for a Black mayor. The powerful leaders of the city did not agree with Frost's claim. He even found himself locked out of the mayor's office!
After several days of discussions, the city council decided that Frost was not correct about his claim to be mayor. Instead, they chose another alderman, Michael Bilandic, to be the acting mayor. To make sure African-American voters felt heard, the city council gave Frost a very important job: he became the chairman of the Finance Committee. This job had real power, unlike his previous role. To make things clearer for the future, the city created a new position called "Vice-Mayor." Wilson Frost continued to serve on the city council for the 34th Ward until 1987.
Later Life and Family
After his time as an alderman, Wilson Frost held one more public job. He was a Commissioner for the Cook County Board of Appeals from 1986 until he retired in 1998.
Wilson Frost was married to Gloria Frost in 1951, and they stayed together until his death. They had four children. Wilson Frost passed away on May 5, 2018, in Palm Desert, California, at the age of 92.
