Two of Harold Washington`s closest and biggest supporters will be running against each other in 1991. Rev. B. Herbert Martin, pastor to the late mayor, said Sunday he will oppose Ald. Bobby Rush (2nd).
Martin said his official announcement will be made Saturday at the Lake Meadows Shopping Center at 35th Street and King Drive.
Martin said he consented to run after he was approached by 2nd Ward Democrats who have no ties to the regular organization. ”I decided to run because I was asked by the people,” he said. ”I could have said no, but my conscience would have bothered me in that they sought me for leadership and believe I can provide that leadership.”
Rush was unavailable for comment.
James Jenkins, a businessman and chairman of the 2nd Ward Active Democratic Organization, which was formed more than a year ago, said they sought a candidate to oppose Rush after ”people came to us with complaints that Rush hadn`t addressed any of the issues or problems in the community in the seven years he`s been in office.”
It would be Martin`s first run at elective office. He is a former chairman of the Chicago Housing Authority and executive director of the Commission on Human Relations, resigning in June 1989.
Martin`s comments came on a day when the 1990 campaign season blew in with the hot weather as candidates for state office talked about family leave and gas taxes.
The Oz Park playground was the scene of the first press conference. Neil Hartigan, the Democratic candidate for governor, called on his Republican opponent, Jim Edgar, to support the family leave bill passed by the General Assembly in June.
The measure is awaiting Gov. James Thompson`s signature. Last year, he vetoed a similar bill, but has not said what he will do with the current bill. The proposal would provide up to eight weeks of unpaid leave over a 24-month period for workers in companies with more than 50 employees.
At noon, Patrick Quinn, the Democratic nominee for state treasurer, stood at a gas station at Clark and Ontario Streets to release a study showing that Illinois has the highest gas taxes of any state.
Quinn said his Republican opponent, Gregory Baise, former head of the Illinois Department of Transportation and now chairman of the panel seeking a site for Chicago`s third major airport, was the leading promoter of last year`s gas tax increase. Since 1980, the Illinois motor fuel tax rose 153 percent, Quinn said.
Baise responded by citing what he said were Chicago Motor Club figures showing gas prices 7 cents a gallon less than they were 10 years ago.
Dorothy Hogan, a former principal of Scott and Marquette Elementary Schools, will run as the Harold Washington Party candidate for Cook County schools superintendent.