Sawyer, Chicago's 2nd black mayor, dead at 73

Former Chicago Mayor Eugene Sawyer, who served only briefly but during a deeply divisive period in city politics in the late 1980s, has died. He was 73.

Sawyer, the city's second black mayor, served for just 16 months following the sudden death of Chicago's first black mayor, Harold Washington. He died Saturday after several recent strokes, his family said.

"He guided Chicago through one of its most turbulent times," the Rev. Jesse Jackson said Sunday. "He served without rancor. ... He was a bridge, a man of calm demeanor and dignity."

Immediately after the death of the popular Mayor Washington, the quiet, soft-spoken Sawyer, then alderman for Chicago's 6th ward, found himself in the midst of a political maelstrom.

Many blacks opposed him, accusing him of being a figurehead for white powerbrokers who had bitterly opposed Washington during his four years in office.

"There was a lot of hostility directed toward him," said Gary Rivlin, author of a Washington biography, "Fire on the Prairie." "He was portrayed as getting the backing of the old machine."

The city council session held to elect Sawyer as acting mayor was highly contentious, with many blacks angrily accusing the Greensboro, Ala., native of selling out, Rivlin said.

"Sawyer's election wasn't joyous. He had a resigned posture, like, 'OK, I'll be mayor, but I have to survive this night," Rivlin recalled. "You couldn't help feeling sorry for him. I always saw Sawyer as a tragic figure. ... He was caught in the middle."

Current Mayor Richard Daley defeated Sawyer in the Democratic primary in 1989, and went on to win the mayoral election. After his defeat, Sawyer left public life and became involved in several business ventures.

Sawyer never sought to get back at his critics once he became mayor, his brother said.

"His major concern was to be a healer, to ensure the city continued to function," John Sawyer said Sunday. "He didn't want to contribute to any strife - be it racial or economic."

Among Eugene Sawyer's proudest accomplishments was helping to ensure minorities had a fair chance to bid on city contracts, his brother said.

The Chicago Cubs fan was also proud that the installation of lighting at Wrigley Field, allowing for night games at the famed baseball park, happened during his term, his brother said.

"He was proud of Chicago. He loved Chicago," John Sawyer said.

Eugene Sawyer died at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital at around 11 p.m Saturday; he had suffered a series of recent strokes, the most recent in November, and he was hospitalized Friday with heart problems, his brother said.

Sawyer is survived by his wife, and by three children and four grandchildren.