Robert Sabonjian

Robert Vernon Sabonjian (1916-1992) was a politician who served as mayor of Waukegan, Illinois for six terms.

Early life

His father, Lazarus Sabonjian, worked for American Steel and Wire Co., where he eventually became a foreman.[1] Lazarus was born in Diyarbakır, in what was then the Ottoman Empire. He married Zaruhi. The family lived on Waukegan's South Side, the heart of the city's Armenian community.[2][3] The family name means "son of a soap-maker."

As a boy, Robert—known as Bob—was a boxer and wrestler who earned the nickname "the Rock."[4][2][5] He graduated from Waukegan Township High School and served with Coast Guard during World War II.[1] In 1947, he married Lorene, whom he met at Great Lakes Naval Training Base.[6] Together, they opened a dry-cleaning business known as Dutch Mill Cleaners.[6] They also adopted two children, Dana and Robert.[6]

Robert Sabonjian worked for some time as a television announcer for wrestling matches.[7]

Political career

He served as mayor of Waukegan over five terms between 1957 and 1977, and again between 1985 and 1989.[2] During this time he was often compared to Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley for a style of running the city that relied heavily on personal patronage.[2]

Early on in his career, Sabonjian received the ire of the Democratic party and the title of "maverick" for appointing Republicans to city jobs.[8]

In 1966, he played a controversial role in the city's unrest, during which he dismissed those involved as "junkheads and winos" and moreover blamed the NAACP. He also gave "shoot to kill" orders to police.[9][10]

He was initially affiliated with the Democratic Party, and ran a write-in campaign for United States Senate in 1966 against Paul Douglas and Charles Percy.[5] His campaign centered on calling for "ultimate victory" in Vietnam, and calling for civil rights protesters to stop complaining and start working.[11] He also called for sending unwed mothers to jail and placing their children in orphanages.[12] Of police tactics in response to riots, he called for "animals" to be treated like animals.[13] He assured voters that they need not spell his name correctly to have their vote count for him.[13]

In 1969, he changed his affiliation to Republican in 1969 after the Democratic Party refused to endorse him for a fourth term.[1][5][14] He subsequently won with 75 percent of the vote.[5]

In 1970, he famously fired striking police officers. He also championed the expansion of Waukegan to the west, which included Lakehurst shopping center.[2][1] In total, the city expanded by some 20 square miles under Sabonjian's watch.[15]

In 1971, Sabonjian was subject to allegations of corruption, including collusion with gambling and prostitution interests.[5] He was cleared of these charges, but ordered by a grand jury to stop accepting a car free of charge from a local car dealership.[16]

In 1977, he lost the mayoral election to reformer Bill Morris. He left a photo of himself in the office with a note reading "Good luck, you Irish S.O.B. Bob."[17]

During his political comeback in 1985, Sabonjian boasted of how his supporters "came to the polls like locusts to vote for Bob Sabonjian."[9] After his victory, Sabonjian made headlines by firing Waukegan's environmental inspector and finance director, hired under the administration of reformer Bill Morris.[4] Sabonjian also hired his daughter as an administrative assistant.[4] He claimed during this term that Waukegan was "becoming the French Riviera of the Midwest."[18] Sabonjian was also part of a plan to construct a stadium for the Chicago Bears on Waukegan's west side.[19]

Haig Paravonian took over the office of mayor after Sabonjian retired in 1989.[15]

Death and legacy

Sabonjian died in Milwaukee in August 1992 after having a massive stroke.[2] He was survived by Lorene, his wife, Dana, his daughter, and Robert Jr., his son.[2] City buildings lowered flags to half staff in his memory.[2]

Sabonjian's son, Robert Sabonjian Jr. served as mayor of Waukegan from 2009 to 2013.

A portion of Madison Street was renamed Robert V. Sabonjian Place, and both City Hall and the Police Department are located there.[20][21]

Sabonjian's name was read in the Congressional Record by Illinois Representative Robert McClory as a shining example of Waukegan's Armenian community, and in commemoration of the formation of the Armenian Republic in 1918.[22]

As a supporter of businesses, Sabonjian attacked any suggestion that industry in Waukegan caused pollution, insisting, for example, that there was "no proof that PCBs were harmful."[23]

References

  1. Cross, Robert (26 September 1976). "His honor, 'the Rock'". Chicago Tribune.
  2. Parsons, Christi (21 August 1992). "Robert Sabonjian, 76; led Waukegan". Chicago Tribune.
  3. "City council honors Waukegan Armenian community". Chronicle Media. 2018-03-13. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  4. Myers, Linnet (9 June 1985). "'Mayor Daley of Waukegan' back to show 'em who's boss". Chicago Tribune.
  5. "Waukegan's Sabonjian eyes an unprecedented fifth term". Chicago Tribune. 28 December 1972.
  6. Moran, Dan. "Former Waukegan first lady Lorene Sabonjian remembered as a 'local icon'". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  7. "Mayor to Fete '40th Birthday' of Mr. Benny". Chicago Daily Tribune. 13 February 1958.
  8. Terry, Clifford (16 April 1961). "'Maverick' in Showdown in Waukegan". Chicago Tribune.
  9. Myers, Linnet and Barbara Mahany (3 April 1985). "Waukegan returns Sabonjian to power: Suburban elections '85 Waukegan". Chicago Tribune.
  10. "Kill Arsonists in Waukegan, Mayor Orders". Chicago Tribune. 6 August 1968.
  11. "Sabonjian Lashes Opponents". Chicago Tribune. 7 November 1966.
  12. "Hit Sabonjian Stand on Unwed Mothers". Chicago Tribune. 23 October 1966.
  13. "RV Sabonjian Announces Bid for Senator". Chicago Tribune. 4 October 1966.
  14. "Sabonjian Switches Parties". Chicago Tribune. 14 January 1969.
  15. Enstad, Robert (2 May 1989). "Waukegan's Sabonjian leaves happy". Chicago Tribune.
  16. Phillips, Richard (15 April 1971). "Sabonjian Sheds Free Auto, Keeps Bank Links". Chicago Tribune.
  17. Enstad, Robert (7 May 1985). "New mayor old face in Waukegan". Chicago Tribune.
  18. Enstad, Robert (17 February 1989). "7 candidates vying to replace Sabonjian". Chicago Tribune.
  19. Hardy, Thomas (31 August 1987). "Stadium plan says how 'bout Waukegan Bears?".
  20. Kuczka, Susan (8 July 1997). "Settlers from afar leave imprint on Waukegan". Chicago Tribune.
  21. "Lake County Briefing". Chicago Tribune. 21 January 1993.
  22. Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the 90th Congress, Second Session, 27 May 1968. p. 15068.
  23. Nichols, Nancy (2008). Lake Effect: Two Sisters and a Town's Toxic Legacy. Island Press. p. 47.
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