Today, friends and family are saying goodbye to former Cook County Board President John H. Stroger, Jr., who passed away Friday at the age of 78. Then former Chicago Mayor Eugene Sawyer died the next day, after a recent series of strokes. He was 73 years old.

In their obituaries, both men are remembered as “gentleman politicians.” And both were African-Americans who reached the two highest offices in local politics.

Delmarie Cobb is a Democratic political consultant in Chicago. She discusses the legacies of President Stroger and Mayor Sawyer.

Music Button: Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra, “Memories of You” from the CD Sentimental Journey: Hits from the Second World War (Sony)