Wilson Frost

Chicago alderman (1967–1987) From 1967 until 1987, Frost served as an alderman (member) of the Chicago City Council. For much of his tenure, he was the council's leading African American member.

Term as the 21st ward alderman (1967–1971) Frost was first elected as an alderman in April 1967, beating incumbent alderman Samuel Yaksic, a white Republican, representing the 21st Ward which was 80% African-American. Frost was a "Regular Democrat" (as opposed to a reform Democrat).

1971 re-election loss, and appointment as the 34th ward alderman In February 1971, Frost lost reelection as 21st Ward alderman, being unseated by Bennett Stewart. Later that year, Frost rejoined the council after being appointed by Mayor Daley to fill the 34th ward vacancy left by the retirement of longtime alderman Rex Sande (who had been on the council since 1959). Frost's new ward had been recently redrawn to assume much of the territory previously in the 33rd ward.

President pro-tempore (1973–1976) In 1973, Frost was voted by his fellow councilors to serve as the body's president pro tempore. He told the Chicago Tribune at the time that he was seeking the position in hopes that by holding that office he could aspire other African Americans to seek public office. He was voted into this role as a reward for his loyal service to the Cook County Democratic Party's machine, which was headed by mayor Richard J. Daley.

Mayoral succession dispute (December 1976) Mayor Daley died in office on December 20, 1976. Hours later, Frost declared that he was now acting mayor by virtue of his office as president pro tempore of the city council, citing his interpretation of the city charter. During this dispute, a number of community activists, ministers, civil rights activists, and newspaper publishers had supported Frost in his claim of being acting mayor.

On December 21, some of the city's leaders met in Daley's office and decided that the would have the council meet on December 28 to vote for an interim mayor that could serve until a special election would be held six months later. They agreed that until the council appointed an acting mayor, Frost (remaining mayor pro tempore) would preside over the city's legislative matters, and that deputy mayor Kenneth Sain would temporarily oversee the city's administrative matters. Additionally, William Quinlan (the city's corporation counsel) expressed their opinion that neither Frost nor anyone else could become acting mayor until the city council voted them as such. This compromise was negotiated both inside Donovan's office at city hall and the law firm office of alderman Edward M. Burke. To appease the council's grouping of Polish American aldermen, this position was given to Casey Laskowski. Frost had opted against giving an angry speech to the council during its debate on Bilandic's appointment. This was despite many of those who had supported his claim to the acting mayoralty hoping he would give such a passionate speech. Instead, Frost struck a reconciliatory tone, saying that he was acting in the city's best interest by agreeing to the brokered compromise. He was accused by some of his previous supporters of selling out, and was derided by some as "Tom" Frost (a reference to the epithet "Uncle Tom").

Activities during the Bilandic and Byrne mayoralties (1977–1983) As chair of the Finance Committee, Frost was the highest-ranking African American member of the council.

Activities during the Washington mayoralty and "Council Wars" (1983–1987) Harold Washington was elected mayor of Chicago in 1983, winning a general election after first securing an upset victory in the Democratic primary election over Mayor Byrne and Richard M. Daley (the son of the late Richard J. Daley). After Washington's win the primary, Frost's relationship soured with a number of white council members aligned with the Cook County political machine. While Frost had previously established good relationships with Burke and Vrdolyak, this discontinued.

During the "Council Wars" that took place between 1983 and 1986 (the majority of Washington's mayoralty), Frost (like all other African American aldermen) aligned himself with the council's pro-Washington faction. Opposition to Washington was led by Vrdolyak and Burke, included many of the same members of the former Richard J. Daley political machine who had in 1971 denied Frost the opportunity to assume the mayoralty.

Cook County Board of Appeals (1986–1998)

In November 1986, Frost was elected to the Cook County Board of Appeals. Thomas A. Jaconetty (a deputy assessor) was appointed as a temporary replacement by the chief judge of the Cook County Circuit Court. Jaconetty was a member of the Chicago 31st Ward Democratic organization, which was chaired by Joseph Berrios. Berrios ran in the special election the next year to fill Semrow's seat, receiving the backing of the Democratic party organization. Berrios served alongside Frost on the board for the remainder of Frost's tenure.

Wilson retired from the office in 1998,

Nonprofit work Frost was also involved in work at nonprofits, including the Mercy Hospital and Medical Center as well as the City Club of Chicago (which he served as vice president of).

Frost was married once, to Gloria Frost from 1951 to his death. Together, they had four children.