Benjamin Lewis

Killinois With Bird and Cam

On Feburary 28th, 1963, Alderman Benjamin Lewis of the 24th Ward Chicago City Council was killed in his office. 56 years later, the case remains unsolved. Who killed the alderman? Was it angry clients who were stifled out of insurance claims? Was it a jilted wife, or numerous lovers tired of Lewis’ womanizing? Was it the police in an effort to intimidate other black leaders of the 24th ward who dare think different? Or maybe was it Stanley Kuczynski, the criminal who probably knew too much, and paid the price via associates of political rivals/ gambling bosses aiming to retain the status quo of the aura of the impenetrable political machine?