Charles Box | |
---|---|
37th Mayor of Rockford, Illinois | |
In office 1989–2001 | |
Preceded by | John McNamara |
Succeeded by | Doug Scott |
Personal details | |
Born | Rockford, Illinois, U.S. | February 24, 1951
Political party | Democratic |
Residence(s) | Rockford, Illinois, U.S. |
Charles Box (born February 24, 1951)[1] is an American politician who served as the first African-American mayor of Rockford, Illinois, then the second largest city in Illinois.
Box was elected mayor of Rockford in 1989, defeating Leonard LaPasso with 63% of the vote and sweeping all 14 wards.[2] A Democrat, Box was the first African-American Mayor elected in Rockford.[2] He was sworn in on April 24, 1989.[2]
Box was elected to three terms as mayor before choosing not to run in 2001. In 2006, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich appointed Box as head of the Illinois Commerce Commission.