William Beavers
Encyclopedia
William M. Beavers is a County Commissioner for District 4 of Cook County, Illinois
, which encompasses part of Chicago
's South Side
and southern suburbs. He previously was an alderman
of the 7th Ward (map) in Chicago. A member of the Democratic Party
, he served in the Chicago City Council
from 1983 to 2006. Before his entry into politics, Beavers was a Chicago police officer for 21 years and was a major force behind the city's official ban on racial profiling
.
Beavers is considered a skilled political insider. His aldermanic biography boasted that "he is a master of the back-room deals," "an alderman's alderman," and "an avid smoker" whose suits are "finely tailored." He also has a reputation for being forthright and candid.
In 2006, Beavers reportedly engineered a complex deal concerning the retirement of Cook County Board President John Stroger
, who suffered a stroke in March of that year. The deal called for Beavers to assume Stroger's County Commissioner seat, Stroger's son, Todd Stroger
, to replace his father on the November 2006 ballot as County Board president, and for Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley
to appoint Beavers' daughter and chief of staff, Darcel Beavers, to her father's 7th Ward seat.
Beavers is running for reelection in 2010 for his county commissioner seat.
Cook County, Illinois
Cook County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois, with its county seat in Chicago. It is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles County. The county has 5,194,675 residents, which is 40.5 percent of all Illinois residents. Cook County's population is larger than...
, which encompasses part of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
's South Side
South Side (Chicago)
The South Side is a major part of the City of Chicago, which is located in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Much of it has evolved from the city's incorporation of independent townships, such as Hyde Park Township which voted along with several other townships to be annexed in the June 29,...
and southern suburbs. He previously was an alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
of the 7th Ward (map) in Chicago. A member of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, he served in the Chicago City Council
Chicago City Council
The Chicago City Council is the legislative branch of the government of the City of Chicago in Illinois. It consists of 50 aldermen elected from 50 wards to serve four-year terms...
from 1983 to 2006. Before his entry into politics, Beavers was a Chicago police officer for 21 years and was a major force behind the city's official ban on racial profiling
Racial profiling
Racial profiling refers to the use of an individual’s race or ethnicity by law enforcement personnel as a key factor in deciding whether to engage in enforcement...
.
Beavers is considered a skilled political insider. His aldermanic biography boasted that "he is a master of the back-room deals," "an alderman's alderman," and "an avid smoker" whose suits are "finely tailored." He also has a reputation for being forthright and candid.
In 2006, Beavers reportedly engineered a complex deal concerning the retirement of Cook County Board President John Stroger
John Stroger
John H. Stroger, Jr. was an American politician who served from 1994 until 2006 as the first African-American president of the Cook County, Illinois Board of Commissioners. Stroger was a member of the Democratic Party. He was also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity...
, who suffered a stroke in March of that year. The deal called for Beavers to assume Stroger's County Commissioner seat, Stroger's son, Todd Stroger
Todd Stroger
Todd H. Stroger is the former president of the Cook County, Illinois Board and a former alderman for the 8th Ward in Chicago. Stroger is a member of the Democratic Party. In 2001, he was appointed to the Chicago City Council by Richard M. Daley...
, to replace his father on the November 2006 ballot as County Board president, and for Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley
Richard M. Daley
Richard Michael Daley is a United States politician, member of the national and local Democratic Party, and former Mayor of Chicago, Illinois. He was elected mayor in 1989 and reelected in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2007. He was the longest serving Chicago mayor, surpassing the tenure of his...
to appoint Beavers' daughter and chief of staff, Darcel Beavers, to her father's 7th Ward seat.
Beavers is running for reelection in 2010 for his county commissioner seat.