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Harold Washington Archives and Collections. Mayoral Records. Community Services Sub-Cabinet Series

 Collection
Identifier: spe-h00015

Scope and Contents

The records in this collection are primarily from the offices of Kari Moe, Administrative Assistant to the Mayor, and her three assistants: Charlotte Chun, Toya Dorham, Luz Martinez and the departments that reported to them. Charlotte Chun coordinated projects with the Department on Aging and Disability, Health Department and Health Systems Agency. Toya Dorham worked with the Chicago Public Library, Mayor’s Office of Inquiry and Information, Municipal Reference Library and the Women’s Affairs Commission. Luz Martinez liaised with the Commission on Human Relations and the Department of Human Services.

The records in the collection reflect the operations, programs and goals of these departments. Formats include reports, minutes, memos, budget and other financial records, personnel issues, monthly reports and correspondence. A very small number of photographs are listed here but for the majority of photographs, please see the Press Office Series.

Dates

  • 1975 - 1988
  • Majority of material found within 1983 - 1988

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Materials open without restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection

Historical Note

The Community Services Sub-Cabinet was one of five sub-cabinets Mayor Washington formed. Like the other sub-cabinets, Community Services coordinated policies and projects that cut across city departments. It focused on projects with the “people-oriented” departments: Aging and Disability, Chicago Public Library, Health, Health Systems Agency, Human Relations, Human Services, Mayor’s Office of Inquiry and Information, Municipal Reference Library and Women’s Affairs.

The other sub-cabinets in Mayor Washington’s administration were Development, Finance and Administration, Infrastructure and Public Safety/Regulatory. The head of each sub-cabinet reported to the Chief of Staff.

Extent

62 Linear Feet (in 45 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

When Harold Washington took office in 1983 he formed five sub-cabinets that were responsible for the coordination, development and implementation of policies that cut across departmental boundaries. The Community Services Sub-Cabinet focused on the “people-oriented” departments of city government, including Human Services, Human Relations, Departments of Health and Aging and Disabilities and the Chicago Public Library. Records include reports, correspondence and minutes. Major topics addressed in the collection include the spread of AIDS, the construction of a new central library and education reforms.

Arrangement

Where possible the original organization has been maintained, although many of the papers were found loose-lying. Loose-lying papers have been marked as such on the files. The records have been split into six series:

  • Series 1: Subject Files, 1979-1988, undated
  • Series 2: AIDS, 1985-1988
  • Series 3: Education, 1984-1988, undated
  • Series 4: Chicago Public Library, 1975-1988, undated
  • Series 5: Photographs, 1983-1988, undated
  • Series 6: Newspapers, 1985-1987, undated

Physical Location

Materials are stored offsite and advance notice is required for use. Please request materials at least 24-hours prior to your research visit to coordinate access.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The records were acquired by the Chicago Public Library after Harold Washington’s death.

Related Materials

  • Harold Washington, Illinois State Representative Records
  • Harold Washington, Illinois State Senate Records
  • Harold Washington, U.S. Congressional Records
  • Harold Washington, Mayoral Campaign Records
  • Harold Washington, Pre-Mayoral Photograph Collection
  • Harold Washington, Asian American Advisory Committee Records
  • Harold Washington, Central Files Records
  • Harold Washington, Chief of Staff Records
  • Harold Washington, City Council Proceedings Records
  • Harold Washington, Development Sub-Cabinet Records
  • Harold Washington, Finance and Administration Sub-Cabinet Records
  • Harold Washington, Infrastructure Sub-Cabinet Records
  • Harold Washington, Intergovernmental Affairs Records
  • Harold Washington, Office Manager/Supervisor of Clerical Staff Records
  • Harold Washington, Press Office Records
  • Harold Washington, Public Safety/Regulatory Sub-Cabinet Records
  • Harold Washington, Real Estate Committee Records
  • Harold Washington, Schedules and Evaluations Records
  • Harold Washington, Videotapes
  • Harold Washington, Commemorative Year Archives
  • Harold Washington, Political Education Project Records

Title
Guide to the Harold Washington Archives and Collections. Mayoral Records. Community Services Sub-Cabinet Series
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by Morag Walsh, 1998. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Sarah Zimmerman, 2021.
Date
1998
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Unit at Harold Washington Library Center Repository

Contact:
Harold Washington Library Center, 9th Floor
Chicago Public Library
400 S. State Street
Chicago IL 60605 United States
(312) 747-4875