Leon M. Despres papers

  • Creator Names Despres, Leon Mathis, 1908-2009.
  • Title Leon M. Despres papers [manuscript], 1929-1982, bulk 1955-1975.
  • Physical description
    • 103 linear ft.
    • 3 microfilm reels : neg. ; 35mm. (Legislative record 1961-1975).
    • 3 microfilm reels ; 35 mm. (Reader copy of Legislative record).
    • 21 microfilm reels ; 35mm. (Newsclippings 1953-1976).
    • 1 microfilm reel ; 16 mm. (Notebooks 1977, 1982).
  • Collection summary
    • Subject files, correspondence, constituent requests, and newsclippings, chiefly from Despres' service as Chicago 5th Ward Alderman (Independent), 1955-1975. Topics include Hyde Park and Kenwood neighborhood matters, city planning, budgets, racial discrimination, schools, crime, and urban renewal. The collection also contains a small group of papers from Despres' private law practice, many involving civil liberties.
    • Chiefly papers generated during Despres's 20 years as alderman of Chicago's Fifth Ward and pertaining to his political and social interests in representing the Hyde Park neighborhood, as well as some material reflecting his career as a lawyer. Includes extensive aldermanic records composed of correspondence, microfilm copies of clippings, telephone request and complaint cards revealing concerns of his constituents, and subject files; together with records of Fifth Ward Citizens' Committee, a civic organization which supported Alderman Despres and worked for his reelections, and papers from his legal career, pertaining to such issues as his work with American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois and Nathan Leopold's invasion of privacy suit against Meyer Levin. Topics include city finances and planning, discrimination in housing and employment, pollution and environmental control, public education, crime, urban renewal, and zoning.
  • Acquisition information Gift of Leon M. Despres beginning in 1966.
  • Finding Aids Note Descriptive inventory available in the repository.
  • Location of Other Archival Materials Note Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include the Leon Despres photograph collection (1995.0082) and the Leon M. Despres memoir and miscellaneous papers (MSM15127).
  • Names
    • Despres, Leon Mathis, 1908-2009 Archives.
    • Hickman, James Willis, 1907-1981.
    • Building Service Employees' International Union.
    • United States. National Labor Relations Board.
  • Subjects
    • Actions and defenses Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • City council members Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Election districts Illinois Chicago 5th Ward.
    • Labor unions Illinois 20th century.
    • Lawyers Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Real property and taxation Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Schools Illinois Chicago 20th century.
  • Geographic coverage
    • Chicago (Ill.) Politics and government 20th century.
    • Hyde Park (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Kenwood (Chicago, Ill.)
  • Genre
    • Correspondence. aat
    • Newspaper clippings. aat
    • Reports. aat
  • Geographic name United States Illinois Cook County Chicago.