West Side political strategist Richard Barnett mourned
Barnett, known as 'godfather' of independent politics in Chicago, died in December at 88

A who's who of politicians, politicos and activists across Chicago recently mourned the passing of Richard Barnett, the towering West Side activist and political strategist who died in December at 88.
Congressman Danny K. Davis called him "a leader of the independent political movement in Chicago, not just the blacks who would run for office but the white independents as well," according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Political commentator Maze Jackson called him a "Black political guru" and the "Godfather of independent Black politics."
The Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky called Barnett, who lived in North Lawndale, a "teacher, with a specialty in helping young and naive rookie reporters learn a thing or two about Chicago politics. Oh, he was an excellent teacher for guys like that. I should know — I was one of his students."
According to an obituary released by Isaac Lewis Jr., the founding CEO and publisher of the North Lawndale Community News, Barnett was born in Chicago on March 27, 1931 — the seventh of 14 children. He attended Wendell Phillips High School, where he met Grace, his eventual wife and the mother of their three kids: Annitria, Genera and Jarmel.
Barnett worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 35 years, which allowed him to purchase a four-flat building in the 3800 block of 18th Street — the building that would "later become his ad hoc community headquarters." In the family home, Barnett convened young people he coached on his Jaguars Little League and Pony League teams, tutored in math and grammar, and led in the Boy Scouts.
"My mother Grace was also the den mother," Annitria, the Barnetts' oldest daughter, told Lewis.
"A lot of people can't say this about their dad," said Jarmel. "He is the kindest man I've ever known. He took all the boys in the neighborhood under his wing. I grew up not knowing what it was not to have a brother. There were always 15 to 20 boys in the house. Every boy in the neighborhood knew him."
Barnett's political progeny includes former Jaguars Appellate Court Justice Marcus Salone, retired judge Lawrence Terrell and retired state representative Arthur Turner, among others.
Barnett got his start in politics in 1957, when he helped attorney Arthur Hamilton run against incumbent Ben Lewis, the first African American alderman of the 24th Ward. Hamilton, who later became president judge of the Cook County Juvenile Court, lost the race, but the campaign was the prelude to a lifetime of activism for Barnett.
Barnett was partially responsible for the careers of many reform politicians like Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia and his predecessor, former Rep. Luis Gutierrez, according to the Sun-Times. Many of those people were cultivated during the tenure of Harold Washington, Chicago's first black mayor and another beneficiary of Barnett's political activism.
Davis, who was elected alderman in the 29th Ward in 1979, said that Barnett "assisted more African Americans to be elected judge of the circuit court than any single person we know."
Barnett is survived by his three children and a host of family, friends, neighbors and mentees. Grace, Barnett's wife of 56 years, died in 2006.
CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com
Love the News?
Become our partner in independent community journalism
Thanks for turning to Austin Weekly News and AustinWeeklyNews.com. We love our thousands of digital-only readers. Now though we're asking you to partner up in paying for our reporters and photographers who report this news. It had to happen, right?
On the plus side, we're giving you a simple way, and a better reason, to join in. We're now a non-profit -- Growing Community Media -- so your donation is tax deductible. And signing up for a monthly donation, or making a one-time donation, is fast and easy.
No threats from us. The news will be here. No paywalls or article countdowns. We're counting on an exquisite mix of civic enlightenment and mild shaming. Sort of like public radio.
Claim your bragging rights. Become a digital member.
Reader Comments
No Comments - Add Your Comment
Note: This page requires you to login with Facebook to comment.
Facebook Connect
Answer Book 2019
To view the full print edition of the Austin Weekly News 2019 Answer Book, please click here. |
Quick Links
Sign-up to get the latest news updates for Austin and Garfield Park. | |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
Advertise | Classified |
Multimedia | Contact us |
Submit Letter To The Editor | |
Place a Classified Ad |
Latest Comments
I lived across the street. And when we moved in 1971 I...
By Darlene DeAngelo
Posted: January 17th, 2021 2:36 PM
As Historical society member and Chicago Treestorian...
By Scott Ericksen
Posted: December 12th, 2020 3:06 AM
Natural herbal formula we ordered from AKANNI HERBAL...
By Anganathi Silwana
Posted: November 14th, 2020 9:54 AM
6700 West North Ave Chicago is this development going...
By Ken Schemmel
Posted: November 12th, 2020 8:51 PM
La casa Montessori moved to 608 Harrison St. Oak Park...
By Saul Soberanes
Posted: October 24th, 2020 12:10 PM
I am absolutely blown away by the service at Gala-Tec!...
By Andrea Sansone Smolek
Posted: October 23rd, 2020 2:44 PM
On: Gala-Tec
PD natural herbal formula we ordered from AKANNI...
By Bongani Moses
Posted: October 12th, 2020 7:07 PM
The problem is illegal immigration and employers, like...
By Coetta Wilson
Posted: October 10th, 2020 5:50 PM
This is a testimony this year 2020. on the 2nd month...
By Eruel Balanquit
Posted: October 6th, 2020 1:59 PM
This is a testimony this year 2020. on the 2nd month...
By Eruel Balanquit
Posted: October 5th, 2020 6:34 PM