American Notes Chicago

"It killed itself," Mayor Harold Washington said jubilantly last week of Chicago's once powerful political machine after his two candidates triumphed in special elections for the 50-member city council. The victories at last / erased the so-called majority bloc of 29 aldermen led by an implacable Washington foe, Cook County Democratic Chairman Edward R. Vrdolyak. The majority had stymied the mayor during his three years in office, blocking appointments and frustrating his efforts to reduce a $78 million budget deficit. Seven special aldermanic elections this year, including last week's, have left the council divided into Washington and Vrdolyak blocs of 25 apiece, with the mayor now able to cast the deciding vote in the event of a draw--a prospect Washington relishes.