Electing Bill Cousins

In 1967, Bill Cousins won the first of three Aldermanic terms as an Independent from Chicago’s south side 8th ward.

Legendary organizer Sherwin Swartz worked for his election while hidden in a back room, out of public view. The campaign didn’t want it known that a White guy was running things in a Black ward.

Later (in 1976) Cousins beat the Machine to win election as a Circuit Court Judge and he went on to serve a long judicial career.