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William Shaw (Illinois politician)

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William Shaw
Mayor of Dolton, Illinois
In office
1997 – November 26, 2008
Preceded byEdward Kipley Jr.
Succeeded byRonnie Lewis
Member of the Illinois Senate from the 15th district
In office
1993–2003
Preceded byRichard F. Kelly
Succeeded byJames T. Meeks
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 34th district
In office
1983–1993
Preceded byDistrict created
Succeeded byNancy Kaszak (renumbered)[1]
Personal details
Born(1937-07-31)July 31, 1937
Fulton, Arkansas, United States
DiedNovember 26, 2008(2008-11-26) (aged 71)
Dolton, Illinois, United States
Political partyDemocratic
ChildrenFour
RelativesRobert Shaw (twin brother)

William "Bill" Shaw (July 31, 1937 – November 26, 2008) was an American politician. Shaw is noted as the first African-American to serve as mayor of Dolton, Illinois from 1997 until his death in 2008. For many years, Shaw and his twin brother Robert were dominant political "kingmakers" of Chicago's southern suburbs and its far South Side. However, their influence dissipated greatly in the early 2000s.[2]

Biography

Early life and education

Shaw was one of two twin boys born on July 31, 1937, to Gertrude and William McKinley Shaw in Fulton, Arkansas. His parents were sharecroppers who moved to St. Louis, Missouri when he was seven years old.[3] After ten years there, Shaw's family which consisted of six siblings relocated to Chicago, Illinois. For high school, Shaw first attended Vashon High School in St. Louis. At age seventeen, Shaw's family relocated to Chicago, settling on the city's west side. Shaw went on to attended Crane Technical High School; graduating in 1955. After high school, Shaw pursued a short career in boxing.[3]

Career

Shaw first entered in politics as an assistant to Alderman Wilson Frost of Chicago's 34th Ward[3] in 1977. Shaw served as the assistant director of the Illinois Department of Support Services from 1979 until 1982. Shaw was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1982 to the 34th district.[4] He represented the district until 1993.[3] After the 1991 decennial redistricting, Shaw opted to challenge Democratic incumbent Richard F. Kelly for the 15th Senate district. Shaw won the primary by approximately 2,000 votes.[5] During his time in the General Assembly, Shaw pushed for a law that required public schools to teach African-American history. In addition, Shaw also co-sponsored legislation to create the Illinois organ donor program in the secretary of state's office. Shaw served for a decade until losing election to Reverend James T. Meeks in 2003. Shaw was elected mayor of Dolton, Illinois in April 1997,[citation needed] becoming the city's first black mayor.[6] Shaw served five terms as mayor until his death on November 26, 2008. Ronnie Lewis was named by the City Council as interim mayor.[7]

After his loss Senate, Governor George Ryan named Shaw to the position of Small Business Utility Advocate for a term starting March 1, 2003. The position's mandate is to protect and promote the interests of small business utility customers; provide information and assistance regarding utility conservation measures; notify small business community regarding proceedings before state and federal regulatory commissions and courts.[8] The position requires confirmation by the Illinois Senate. Ultimately, in February 2003, Governor Rod Blagojevich chose not to put anyone forward for the position as a cost saving measure.[9]

Personal and death

Shaw was married and had four children. Shaw died of colon cancer at his home in Dolton, Illinois at age 71.[10][11]

Notes

  1. ^ Illinois Blue Book 1993-1994. p. 82. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  2. ^ Keagle, Lauri Harvey (18 August 2009). "Robert Shaw to seek assessor's seat". nwitimes.com. The Times of Northwest Indiana. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d The HistoryMakers - The Honorable William E. Shaw
  4. ^ Illinois Blue Book 1983-1984. p. 76. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  5. ^ Bodily, Amyllen L.; Klemens, Michael D. "Election results: Good-bye status quo". Illinois Issues. Sangamon State University. pp. 8–10. ISSN 0738-9663.
  6. ^ Turner, Tatyana (26 July 2021). "Former 9th Ward Ald. Robert Shaw, a South Side powerbroker, dies at 83". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Educator was Suburb's First Black Official". The Chicago Tribune . December 8, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Davis, Laura, ed. (March 30, 2010). "Volume 2b (L-Z) Detailed Organization Report Boards and Commissions With Executive and Judicial Appointments April 2010" (PDF). Illinois General Assembly Legislative Research Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 14, 2010.
  9. ^ Slater, Eric (February 1, 2003). "Illinois' New Governor Cleans House". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  10. ^ 'Illinois Blue Book 2001-2002,' Biographical Sketch of William "Bill" Shaw, pg. 86
  11. ^ Richard Pearson and Stacy St. Clair (November 28, 2008). "William "Bill" Shaw: 1937-2008". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
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