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Harold Washington Archives and Collections. Mayoral Records. Public Safety / Regulatory Sub-Cabinet Series

 Collection
Identifier: spe-h00019

Scope and Contents

The records in this series are from the office of Mike Holewinski, head of the Public Safety/Regulatory Sub-Cabinet. They are particularly strong in material relating to the Police Department, notably crime, gangs and police services. Holewinski was Director of the Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Crime Prevention, which held public hearings throughout the city in January 1985. Materials about the Task Force’s activities are in files labeled “Gangs.” The files labeled “Reports” include monthly bulletins from the Bureau of Investigative Services on significant incidents and statistics on services rendered by the Police Department, as well as news releases and other items.

The records reflect the operations, programs and goals of these departments. Formats include reports, minutes, memos, budget and other financial records, monthly reports and correspondence. For photographs, please see the Press Office Photographs.

Dates

  • Creation: 1982 - 1988

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Materials are open without restrictions. Nine files have been redacted or separated for privacy reasons and are marked CLOSED in the Collection Inventory.

Conditions Governing Use

Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection

Historical Note

The Public Safety/Regulatory Sub-Cabinet was one of five sub-cabinets Mayor Washington formed. Michael Holewinski was appointed Sub-Cabinet head during Washington’s first week in office and he remained in that post until January 1988. Holewinski coordinated projects in several agencies, including Animal Care and Control, Cable Communications, Municipal Consumer Services, Fire Department, Department of Inspectional Services, Municipal Investigation, Police Department, Police Board and Zoning.

The other sub-cabinets were Community Services, Development, Finance and Administration and Infrastructure. Like Public Safety/Regulatory, the other sub-cabinets were responsible for the coordination, development and implementation of the Mayor’s polices that cut across department boundaries. The head of each sub-cabinet reported to the Chief of Staff.

Extent

12 Linear Feet (in 24 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. Departments reporting to this Sub-Committee include Police, Fire, Consumer Services, Cable Communications and Animal Care and Control. Records from the Police Department are particularly strong in the area of gangs and the Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Crime Prevention.

Arrangement

The files are arranged alphabetically by subject, following the original folder headings whenever possible.

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 Senate Records
  • Harold Washington, Illinois State Representative 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, Community Services Sub-Cabinet Records
  • Harold Washington, Development Sub-Cabinet
  • 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, Press Office Photographs
  • 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. Public Safety / Regulatory Sub-Cabinet Series
Status
Completed
Author
Special Collections staff, 1996. Additional processing by Morag Walsh, 2019. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Sarah Zimmerman 2022.
Date
1996
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