R. Eugene Pincham

Early life and career

R. Eugene Pincham was born June 28, 1925. He was raised in Athens, Alabama. He attended LeMoyne College in Memphis, Tennessee and later earned a Bachelor of Science from Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. He then earned his J.D. degree at Northwestern University's School of Law. He was admitted to the Illinois State Bar in 1951 and the U.S. Supreme Court Bar in 1965.

Judicial career

He became a Judge of the Cook County Circuit Court in 1976. Howard C. Ryan, the chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, appointed Pincham to a vacancy created by the death of Kenneth Wilson. The appointment began June 11, 1984. He won election to the Appellate Court in 1986. In 1989, Pincham resigned to run for President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 1990, with an effective resignation date of December 29. Joseph Gordon, a former circuit court judge, was appointed to Pincham's vacancy. Pincham lost the Democratic primary to Richard Phelan.

Mayoral campaign

Main article: 1991 Chicago mayoral election

After then-Cook County Commissioner Danny K. Davis lost the Democratic primary to Richard M. Daley, the mayoral nominee of the Harold Washington Party stepped down to allow party leaders to appoint Pincham as the candidate. Pincham ultimately failed to mobilize African American support in the campaign and lost by a roughly three to one margin.

Subsequent career

In 1992, Pincham left the Harold Washington Party following a dispute over a loan with Republican Party ties, though the leadership denied such a claim. In 1996, Pincham ran for Cook County State's Attorney under the Justice Party ballot line. He placed third, with 9.31% of the vote.

Death and legacy

Pincham died of complications from lung and brain cancer at his home in the Chatham neighborhood. The funeral was held in private at Trinity United Church of Christ, and culminated in remarks by Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. He was also an ardent critic of the U.S. criminal justice system (also see Race Inequalities in the Criminal Justice System). Known for his dramatic oratory which drew on his own personal struggles and those of African Americans, and his tireless advocacy on behalf of those less able to speak for themselves, he was regarded by many in Illinois and particularly the African-American community, as a political and legal icon, and held as a role model by both blacks and whites who came behind him.

References

References

1. "R. Eugene Pincham and Alzata C. Pincham collection". Black Metropolis Research Consortium.
2. (June 2, 1984). "Daley rival named to appeals court: Pincham". [[Chicago Tribune]].
3. "Illinois Blue Book 1989–1990". [[Illinois Secretary of State]].
4. . (December 21, 1989). "Judge named to fill Pincham's position". *[[Chicago Tribune]]*.
5. "Modern-day campaign tactics put Phelan on top in Cook County". Illinois Issues.
6. "Chicago's 1991 mayoral elections: Richard M. Daley wins second term". Illinois Issues.
7. Chicago Tribune Staff. (December 22, 1992). "Pincham Cuts His Ties to Washington Party". [[Chicago Tribune]].
8. "Official Final Results Primary Election Cook County, Illinois Tuesday, March 17, 1998".
9. James Janega. (2008-04-13). "R. Eugene Pincham remembered for contributions to law, community". Chicago Tribune.
10. (2008). "Hon. R. Eugene Pincham Biography". The HistoryMakers.
11. (April 4, 2008). "R. Eugene Pincham: 1925–2008". [[Chicago Tribune]].