Lemuel Austin, Jr. was elected alderman of Chicago’s 34th Ward in 1987 and served three terms as chairman of the Committee on Budget and Government Operations for the City Council. Previously he worked for Illinois Senators and the Cook County Sherrif’s Department, Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation, the Chicago Transit Authority, and the Post Office.

Lemuel supported diversity contracting in the City of Chicago and residency quotas.
In 1993 he was awarded “Man of the Year” by the International Union of Operating Engineers Local #150.

He died of a heart attack while in the office of Alderman. His widow, Carrie is the current Alderman of the Ward.

Alumnus

Richard J. Daley City College of Chicago
Carter J. Harrison High School

Honorary Lemuel Austin Way

South Normal Avenue between 110th Street and 111th Street

Approved: November 2021

Ward: 34
Alderman: Austin
Neighborhood: Pullman

d. 1994. Age 48

Source