harold washington at 100

Last week, dignitaries from across the city and state celebrated the late Mayor Harold Washington, whose 100th birthday would have been April 15. Top Washington aides like Jacky Grimshaw and Josie Childs; contemporaries like Congressmen "Chuy" Garcia, Bobby Rush and former Congressman Luis Gutierrez, Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy Evans and the Rev. Jesse Jackson; and top elected officials like Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, and current Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot all celebrated Washington’s life and legacy at his namesake library downtown. Hanging over all of it? Politics, of course. Mayor Lori Lightfoot has yet to officially declare her reelection bid, but is raising money, staffing up her campaign, and so far, playing defense. Other candidates to become Chicago’s next mayor in 2023 are already lining up. Businessman Willie Wilson and current Ald. Ray Lopez are both running. Congressman Mike Quigley is polling. Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas and state Rep. Kam Buckner both say they’re contemplating a run. Any number of spoilers could jump in over the coming months. On this week’s show, we’re talking lessons in tough campaigns and leadership with Marilyn Katz. She was a media consultant for Harold Washington’s historic run in 1983. A progressive activist throughout the late '60s, she joined the rainbow coalition of Washington backers, helping deliver captivating ads that brought him over the finish line in the 1983 primary against Jane Byrne and Richard M. Daley, and then the general election against Republican Bernie Epton. She’ll share her memories of that campaign and Washington’s leadership style when he took over the 5th floor at City Hall, and what lessons Lightfoot might take from him to hold on to her seat.