Justice Graphics, Inc. Collection

Dates: 1970s-1990
Size: 2.25 linear feet in 6 boxes
Repository: Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, 400 S. State St., Chicago, IL 60605
Collection Number: spe.a00040
Immediate Source of Acquisition: The collection was donated by Helen Shiller in 2013.
Conditions Governing Access: Materials are open without restrictions. Materials are stored offsite and advance notice is required for use. Please request materials at least 24-hours prior to your research visit to coordinate access.
Conditions Governing Use: Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection.
Preferred Citation: When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Justice Graphics, Inc. Collection, [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections, Chicago Public Library
Finding Aid Author: Johanna Russ, 2013 November. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Johanna Russ, 2021.

Abstract

Keep Strong Publishing began in 1975 in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. It was started by progressive community activists Walter “Slim” Coleman, Helen Shiller and others, and soon changed its name to Justice Graphics, Inc. This collection consists of Justice Graphics Inc.’s files about Harold Washington and other related politicians. Of note is a series related to Washington's 1985 trip to Israel and Italy, accompanied by Shiller, acting as photographer.

Biographical/Historical

Keep Strong Publishing began in 1975 in the Uptown neighborhood on Chicago’s northeast side. It was started by progressive community activists Walter “Slim” Coleman, Helen Shiller, and others. It soon changed its name to Justice Graphics, Inc. The print shop produced periodicals such as Keep Strong Magazine and All Chicago City News, both of which Shiller edited. It also printed campaign literature and posters for progressive candidates around the city, as well as informational fliers and posters for events related to progressive causes and politicians.

In July 1985, Shiller traveled to Israel and Italy with Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, acting as his photographer. At the invitation of Chicago’s Jewish Federation, Mayor Washington led an official delegation on a six-day tour of Israel. While there, he met with a number of officials, including the mayors of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. At the end of the trip, the group spent two days in Italy, attending a papal audience and meeting with the mayors of Milan, Genoa, Bologna, Rome, and Palermo.

In 1987, with Harold Washington’s support, Shiller ran a successful race for alderman of Chicago’s 46th Ward, which includes the Uptown neighborhood. She served for six terms, from 1987 to 2011, the longest-serving female alderman as of 2016. Her career was marked by a commitment to progressive causes, notably affordable housing and police accountability. Justice Graphics, Inc., closed in 1998.

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of Justice Graphics Inc.’s files about Harold Washington and other related politicians. It includes photographs, photographic negatives, photographic contact sheets, posters, bumper stickers, fliers, itineraries, and publications.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in three series, Series 1: Harold Washington’s trip to Israel, 1985 July; Series 2: Justice Graphics, Inc., Harold Washington Photograph Archive, 1970s-1990; and Series 3: Printed Campaign Material, 1980s, undated.

Related Materials

Subject Headings

  • Israel
  • Shiller, Helen
  • Washington, Harold, 1922-1987

Collection Inventory

Series 1: Harold Washington’s trip to Israel, 1985 July

Scope and Contents

Included in this series is background reading material on Israel, itineraries for the trip, and a small pamphlet published by Justice Graphics after the trip, written and featuring photos by Helen Shiller. Also appearing in this series are hundreds of photographic contact sheets and negatives for images provided by Helen Shiller from the archives of Justice Graphics.

Arrangement

Files are arranged alphabetically.

Box 1 Folder 1 Background binder for Israel trip (1 of 2), 1985 July 10-16
Box 1 Folder 2 Background binder for Israel trip (2 of 2), 1985 July 10-16
Box 1 Folder 3 Background reading on Israel (1 of 3), circa 1985
Box 1 Folder 4 Background reading on Israel (2 of 3), circa 1985
Box 1 Folder 5 Background reading on Israel (3 of 3), circa 1985
Box 1 Folder 6 Israel trip contact sheets (1 of 2), 1985 July 10-16
Box 1 Folder 7 Israel trip contact sheets (2 of 2), 1985 July 10-16
Box 1 Folder 8 Israel trip itineraries, notes and business cards, 1985
Box 1 Folder 9 Pamphlet, “Mayor Harold Washington’s Six Day Visit to Israel,” with photos and text by Helen Shiller, 1985 July 10-16
Box 2   54 folders of photographic negatives from the Israel trip, 1985 July 10-16

Series 2: Justice Graphics, Inc., Harold Washington Photograph Archive, 1970s-1990

Scope and Contents

This series is comprised of hundreds of photographic prints of Harold Washington and related events and people kept by Justice Graphics, Inc. The photos are arranged alphabetically, according to original categories assigned by Justice Graphics, and include images sent from the mayor’s press office.

Arrangement

Files are arranged alphabetically.

Box 3 Folder 1 Favorite Son slates for 1984 Democratic Convention, 1984
Box 3 Folder 2 Good Health Place, undated
Box 3 Folder 3 HS Sanctions Resolution [folder titled by Justice Graphics employees], 1990 February
Box 3 Folder 4 Mayor’s Press Office, 1985-1986
Box 3 Folder 5 Mayor’s Press Office: Budget hearings, 1985
Box 3 Folder 6 Mayor’s Press Office: Politics, 1985-1986
Box 3 Folder 7 Mayor’s Press Office: “South Shore Country Club” [folder titled by Justice Graphics employees], 1985 March 3
Box 3 Folder 8 Mayor’s Press Office: Speaks [speaking engagements], 1986
Box 3 Folder 9 Mayor’s Press Office: With the people, 1985
Box 3 Folder 10 Mayor’s Press Office: With reformers, circa 1985
Box 3 Folder 11 Mayor’s Press Office: Women’s Commission, 1986
Box 3 Folder 12 Mayoral Appointees, circa 1985
Box 3 Folder 13 North west side, circa 1985
Box 3 Folder 14 People Organized for Welfare and Employment Rights (P.O.W.E.R.), 1982 Summer
Box 3 Folder 15 Politics (1 of 2), 1982, undated
Box 3 Folder 16 Politics (2 of 2), undated
Box 3 Folder 17 Pre-Mayoral, 1977-1983, undated
Box 3 Folder 18 Publicity shots, undated
Box 3 Folder 19 Rallies, undated
Box 3 Folder 20 REAL Democrats, undated
Box 3 Folder 21 Remap, undated
Box 3 Folder 22 Right to Service forums, undated
Box 4 Folder 1 Solo shots, undated
Box 4 Folder 2 South Africa protests, undated
Box 4 Folder 3 Southwest Community Congress, circa 1984
Box 4 Folder 4 Speaks [speaking engagements] (1 of 2), circa 1985
Box 4 Folder 5 Speaks [speaking engagements] (2 of 2), circa 1985
Box 4 Folder 6 With the people (1 of 2), 1983, undated
Box 4 Folder 7 With the people (2 of 2), undated
Box 4 Folder 8 With politicians, department heads (1 of 2), undated
Box 4 Folder 9 With politicians, department heads (2 of 2), undated
Box 4 Folder 10 With reformers, circa 1985
Box 4 Folder 11 Unidentified (2 of 2), undated
Box 4 Folder 12 Unidentified (1 of 2), undated

Series 3: Printed Campaign Material, 1980s, undated

Scope and Contents

This series consists of posters, fliers, and other pieces of literature from the campaigns and events of various Chicago politicians, including Harold Washington, printed by Justice Graphics, Inc.

Arrangement

Files are arranged alphabetically.

Box 5 Folder 1 Various events, programs, and literature, 1986-1988, undated
Box 5 Folder 2 Ward newspapers (7, 17, 49), 1986-1987
Box 5 Folder 3 Butler, Jerry campaign literature, circa 1985
Box 5 Folder 4 Chevere, Gloria campaign literature, circa 1985
Box 5 Folder 5 Davis, Monique campaign literature, 1986
Box 5 Folder 6 Evans, Timothy campaign literature, circa 1985
Box 5 Folder 7 Gutierrez, Luis campaign literature, 1987-1988, undated
Box 5 Folder 8 Hayes, Charles campaign literature, 1986
Box 5 Folder 9 Jackson, Jesse campaign literature, 1988
Box 5 Folder 10 Kelly, Charles (Chuck) campaign literature, circa 1988
Box 5 Folder 11 Mallette, Mercedes campaign literature, circa 1986
Box 5 Folder 12 Miller, Jesse campaign literature, circa 1985
Box 5 Folder 13 Rico, Emma Lozano campaign literature, undated
Box 5 Folder 14 Shiller, Helen campaign literature, undated
Box 5 Folder 15 Siegel, Paul campaign literature, undated
Box 5 Folder 16 Tillman, Dorothy campaign literature, undated
Box 5 Folder 17 Velazquez, Juan campaign literature, undated
Box 5 Folder 18 Washington, Harold campaign literature, 1983-1986
Box 5 Folder 19 Waterhouse, Paul campaign literature, undated
Box 6 Folder 1 Campaign literature print proofs, undated
Box 6 Folder 2 Campaign posters: Marlene Carter, Timothy Evans, Raymond Figueroa, undated
Box 6 Folder 3 Campaign posters: Luis Gutierrez, Charles Kelly, Helen Shiller, undated
Box 6 Folder 4 Campaign posters: Harold Washington, 1980s
Box 6 Folder 5 Posters: general publication ads and events, undated
Box 6 Folder 6 Photographs (4 unidentified oversized prints), undated
Print this page