William Beavers, a longtime Chicago City Council member who went on to serve as a Cook County commissioner, died Saturday morning, his family announced. He was 89.
He died from “natural complications surrounded by his family,” according to a spokesperson for the Beavers family.
“Bill Beavers will go down in history as one of the most progressive African American Alderman in the Chicago City Council,” Sean Howard, the family’s representative, said in a statement. “He was unapologetically Black and proved so by his countless efforts to propel Black businesspersons to engage in city business and contracts.”
Beavers represented the 7th Ward on the Council for 23 years, until 2006, when he was elected commissioner in Cook County’s 4th District. He held that seat until 2013, the year he was convicted of tax evasion. He served six months in federal prison.
As alderperson, he was chairman of the Budget Committee and the Police and Fire Committee. Before being elected to the Council in 1983, he served as a Chicago police officer for 21 years, according to the statement. He attended Harold Washington College when it was called Loop College.
One of six children, Beavers grew up in the Kenwood and Oakland neighborhoods. His mom was an “outstanding cook” for their local church, according to Howard. His dad, a steel mill worker, died on the job.
In office, one Beavers’ biggest accomplishments, Howard said, was creating subcircuit judicial districts that allowed Black lawyers to run for judgeships on the city’s South and West sides and the southern Cook County suburbs.
He also made it possible for Black business owners to operate concessions at Midway and O’Hare airports, according to Calvin Jordan, Cook County Democratic committeeman who was quoted in the family’s statement.
“The passing of Commissioner Beavers represents a significant loss for the African American business community,” Jordan was quoted as saying. “He was relentless in his firm approach to former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley of the need for more Black business people engaging in every facet of city government.”
Beavers is survived by two daughters — former Ald. Darcel Beavers and Denice Ewing — and son David Beavers, a retired investigator for the Cook County State’s Attorney. Other survivors include a grandson, DeJuan Brown, and great-granddaughter, Dylan Brown.