Iconic Chicago politician and long-time alderman Wilson Frost has died at the age of 92.
Frost, who served as an alderman for 20 years, was best-known for his service as alderman of the 21st and 34th Wards, serving in that capacity from 1967 to 1987.
In 1976, Frost was poised to become Chicago’s mayor after the death of Richard J. Daley, but was blocked by the city council. After a long and contentious battle, Frost ultimately was named as the chairman of the Finance Committee, and Michael A. Bilandic was ultimately named mayor after Daley’s death.
"Wilson Frost was a passionate public servant and a powerful voice for those he served," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. "A giant in the City Counci, he rose through the ranks and became chairman of the Fiannce Committee. His legacy endures through the generation of political and community leaders he mentored and inspired."
Former Illinois Senate President Emil Jones Jr. praised Frost in a statement on Sunday, calling him one of the state’s “great elder statesmen.”
“Wilson Frost was an iconic, larger than life public servant whose influence cannot be overstated,” Jones said. “Many have come before and many will come after, but he will always be remembered as someone who lived and breathed the 34th Ward and the entire city of Chicago.”
Frost leaves behind a wife and four children.
