Extent: 800 videotapes
Dates: 1971–2016
Description: A diverse set of materials, documenting the major presidential campaigns and elections, Illinois House and Senate, and Chicago politics. Featuring every Chicago mayor since Richard J. Daley, as well as extensive footage of city council members, it’s an eye opening picture of how politics really works in Chicago. The Media Burn collection covers the lasting cultural impact of the 1968 Democratic National Convention and Chicago Conspiracy trial, and the Chicagoans who have shaped public policy locally and nationally, such as David Axelrod, the Daley family, and Rahm Emanuel.
Sub-collections:
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1992 ElectionExtent: 250 videotapes Dates: 1992 Description: Preserved through funding by the federal “Save America’s Treasures” program as a crucial record of American history and democracy. More than 500 hours of footage documenting all the candidates, including Bill Clinton, Paul Tsongas, Jerry Brown, George H.W. Bush, and Ross Perot, as well as the role of the press in American elections. Shot for the award-winning national PBS series THE 90’s. |
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Chicago PoliticsExtent: 150 videotapes Dates: 1976–2016 Description: Footage of some of Chicago’s most prominent leaders and activists of the last forty years. Videos range from in depth and candid interviews to raw footage of rallys, public protests, and electiont coverage. Collection includes footage of Mayors Harold Washington, Jane Byrne, and both Daleys, as well as Barack Obama, Dan Rostenkowski, and Vito Marzullo. |
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Harold WashingtonExtent: 17 videocassettes (DVCAM); 2 videocassettes (Hi-8); 12 videocassettes (VHS); 36 videocassettes (U-Matic); 4 videocassettes (Betacam SP); 1 videocassette (U-Matic SP); 1 DVD-R; 24 digital files Dates: 1979–1994 Description: Harold Washington (1922-1987) was a lawyer and politician who served as a U.S. Representative for Illinois and was elected the first African-American mayor of Chicago.This collection includes footage of Harold Washington in action, both his fiery speeches on the campaign trail and in office, going up against “The Eddies” during the Council Wars, as well as a host of interviews with people throughout the Chicago community, talking about working with him, his influence, his time as mayor, and the loss felt at his early passing. People: Harold Washington, Richard J. Daley, Richard M. Daley, Studs Terkel, Bob Lucas, Jay McMullen, Jane Byrne, Marion Stamps, Jesse Jackson, Edward Vrdolyak, Bernard Epton, Irv Kupcinet, Aaron Freeman, James Thompson, Adlai Stevenson, Art Jones, Donald Haider, Robert Moon, Ray Wardingley, Harry Golden Jr., Thomas Hynes, Dan Rostenkowski, Michael Bilandic, Bill Veeck Subjects: Chicago Politics, elections, political speeches |
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Dan RostenkowskiExtent: 50 videotapes Dates: 1980–1994 Description: Ever wondered what really goes on behind closed doors in Congress? Cameras would never be permitted in closed door meetings today, but in 1981, we managed to shoot a rare peek at an orientation for newly elected House Democrats (including Harold Washington). In it, Majority Whip Dan Rostenkowski, with his typical tell-it-like-it-is attitude, explains to the freshmen how things are really done in D.C. It’s part of the excellent documentary Rostenkowski, shot when the Ilinois Congressman had just been elevated to Chairman of Ways and Means. Shot both in Washington and the near west side of Chicago, these tapes demonstrate the power of the Democratic Party in Chicago and document the peculiarities of the Congress. This collection of footage was digitized through the support of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission and the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. |
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None of the AboveExtent: 56 videocassettes (Hi 8 mm); 6 videocassettes (VHS); 3 videocassettes (U-Matic); 5 videocassettes (Mini DV) Paper materials (2 linear feet): Dates: 1996 Description: None of the Above was a 1996 documentary that investigated the phenomenon of non-voters. It conducted in collaboration with Professor Ellen Shearer of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Approximately a dozen non-voters from around the country were selected for in-depth documentary profiles. The program also featured political analyst David Axelrod, Senator Paul Simon, and journalist John Callaway. The 90-minute edited program aired on public television. This collection contains 100 hours of camera original footage that holds incredible significance for public policy, sociology, urban studies, rural studies, and psychology researchers to learn about the significant numbers of people who do not participate in the American electoral system. People: David Axelrod, Bob Dole, Pat Buchanan, Steve Forbes, Lamar Alexander, Phil Gramm, Alan Keyes, Tim Russert, Jack Kemp, Elizabeth Dole, Oliver North, Art Kunkin, Joe Cummings, Michael Bowser, Holly Bowser, John Callaway, Tom Weinberg, Patrick Creadon, Frank RePass, Cindy RePass, Gene Tenzca, Roger Bacon Subjects: Political campaigns, Voting, Voting–Abstention, Voter Turnout, Politics |
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Outside Agitators CollectionExtent: 200 videotapes Dates: 1972–2016 Description: Footage documenting activists and outsiders, such as Abbie Hoffman, Rennie Davis, Fred Hampton, Paul Krassner, Stewart Brand, Tulli Kupferberg, A.J. Weberman, Reverend Billy, Bill Ayers, Tony Schwartz, as well as demonstrations and activist movements around the country related to wars, AIDS, labor, housing, and other issues. |