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| Affiliation | Democratic |
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2008-02-14 |
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| Name | Leon M. Despres |
| Address |
Chicago, Illinois , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | None |
| Born |
February 02, 1908
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| Died | May 06, 2009
(101 years)
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| Contributor | RBH |
| Last Modifed | Thomas Walker
May 06, 2009 05:21pm |
| Tags |
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| Info | Chicago Alderman: 1955-1975
Leon Mathis Despres (February 2,1908 - May 6, 2009) was an American attorney and politician.
A native of Chicago, Despres received his undergraduate and law degrees in 1927 and 1929, respectively, from the University of Chicago, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, before beginning a legal practice.
In April 1955, Despres was elected to the Chicago City Council from the city's Hyde Park neighborhood. Serving until 1975, Despres gained fame as an independent Democrat, consistently opposing the policies of Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley. Frequently on the short end of 49-1 votes, Despres became known as the "liberal conscience of Chicago." Because of his strong advocacy of civil rights and open housing, Despres also became known as "the lone Negro on the City Council," even though he was White and the council had six black alderman allied with the mayor.
In his final years Despres lived in Hyde Park and remained active in civic life. In 2005, he received the Benton Medal from the University of Chicago. Up until his death, Despres still maintained an office at the Chicago firm of Despres, Schwartz, and Geoghegan, managed by longtime colleague, Chicago labor lawyer Thomas Geoghegan.
Despres died in his Hyde Park home on May 6th 2009 at the age of 101.
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