Wilson Frost

Wilson Frost (December 27, 1925 – May 5, 2018)[3] was an American politician, serving as alderman of Chicago, Illinois' 21st and 34th ward; from 1967 until 1987. Upon the death of Chicago mayor Richard J. Daley, Frost served as interim mayor and was briefly claimed to be Daley's successor in December 1976. Had Frost successfully established this claim, he would have been Chicago's first African-American mayor.

Wilson Frost
Frost, 1974.
City of Chicago Alderman
In office April 1967 – February 1971
Preceded by	Samuel Yaksic[1]
Succeeded by	Bennett M. Stewart
Constituency	21st Ward, Chicago
City of Chicago Alderman
In office 1971–1987
Preceded by	Rex Sande
Succeeded by	Lemuel Austin Jr.[2]
Constituency	34th Ward, Chicago
Personal details
Born	(1925-12-27)December 27, 1925 Cairo, Illinois, U.S.
Died	May 5, 2018(2018-05-05) (aged 92) Palm Desert, California, U.S.
Political party	Democratic Party
Spouse(s)	Gloria Frost ( m. 1951)
Children	4[3]
Residence	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Education	Phillips Academy High School
Alma mater	Fisk University Chicago-Kent College of Law

Biography

Early life and education

Born in Cairo, Illinois, Frost family relocated to Chicago, Illinois sometime during his early childhood. Frost attended Phillips Academy High School, graduating in 1944 and later attending Fisk University. After college, Frost later went to Chicago-Kent College of Law, where he got his law degree. Frost was admitted to the Illinois bar, and practiced law in Chicago.

Chicago alderman (1967–1987)

Frost was first elected as an alderman in April 1967,[3] beating alderman Samuel Yaksic, a white Republican,[1] representing the 21st Ward which was 80% African-American.[4] Frost was a Regular Democrat, and as a reward for his loyal service to the Daley machine, was selected for the position of president pro tempore of the Chicago City Council. In February 1971, Frost was replaced as alderman of the 21st ward by Bennett M. Stewart. After losing re-election in the 21st Ward, Frost was appointed 34th ward alderman in 1971 by Mayor Daley after it was merged with the 33rd ward and Rex Sande, who served as alderman since 1959 decided to retire.

In December 1976, upon the death of longtime mayor Richard J. Daley, Frost declared that he was now acting mayor, based upon his interpretation of the city charter and the fact that he was serving as President Pro Tempore of the City Council. However, the majority of Chicagoans in the mid-1970s were highly resistant to the notion of a black mayor, and the power brokers even more so.[3] Wilson found himself literally locked out of the mayor's office—he was told that the keys could not be found.[5]

In a power struggle that lasted several days, the entirely Democratic city council determined that Frost was incorrect in his claim, and appointed Alderman Michael Bilandic[6] as acting mayor instead. To appease African-American voters, the city council replaced Finance Committee chairman Edward Vrdolyak with Frost;[6] the chairmanship carried some real power, as opposed to the titular position of council president pro tempore. To clarify the mayoral succession process, a new position of "Vice-Mayor" was created. Wilson continued to serve on the city council, representing the 34th ward until 1987.

Later life, personal and death

The last public office that he held was Commissioner of the Cook County Board of Tax Appeals, from which he retired in 1998.[3] Frost was married once, to Gloria Frost from 1951 until his death.[3] Together they had four children.[3] Frost died on May 5, 2018, in Palm Desert, California, at the age of 92.[7]

References

1. Chicago South-End Reporter - March 9, 1966
2. Chicago Tribune - Lemuel Austin Jr., 48, 34th Ward Alderman - June 12, 1994
3. The History Makers-The Honorable Wilson Frost
4. JET Magazine - April 20, 1967
5. Wilson Frost bows out - with a decisive vote - Chicago Sun-Times | Encyclopedia.com
6. Slicing Daley's Pie - TIME
7. Wilson Frost, trailblazing black alderman, dies at 92