Bill Perkins, a progressive city and state lawmaker from Harlem, passed away on Monday at the age of 74 in his home. The death of Perkins, a champion for healthcare reform and lead-paint inspection laws, is a significant loss for New York. During his time in public service, he fought for the reduction of sulfur in heating oil, which decreased the risks of acid rain and worked to bridge health disparities in NYC.
Perkins was known as a public servant and advocate for the health and education of New York communities, championing equal rights for all New Yorkers. He served in the New York State Senate for nine years, prior to which he served in the New York City Council. He was known for passing some of the strongest lead paint prevention laws in the nation and for being one of the first public officials to stand with the Central Park Five during their fight for justice.
Perkins’ advocacy for healthcare reform was notable. He sponsored the Childhood Lead Paint Poisoning Prevention Act of 2004, which forced landlords to fix paint hazards in apartments and protect the health of children. Perkins saw the crucial need for reducing health and wealth disparities in our society and worked to address these issues in his public service roles.
Perkins was committed to bridging the gap between differing communities, supporting the Central Park 5 and backing LGBTQ rights. He was also an early advocate for the reduction of sulfur in heating oil to decrease acid rain. Perkins’ legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire and resonate within the community, with many paying tribute to his unwavering commitment to justice and community welfare.
As the community mourns the death of Perkins, elections for his successor call for attention. New York City Council Member Kristin Richardson Jordan, who won her seat in 2019, announced on Instagram that she will not run for re-election this year. The announcement came shortly after news broke that Perkins had passed away. Richardson Jordan, a self-described socialist, represented an area of Harlem with a long history of Black radical activism. She was the first out queer person elected in Harlem, and her radical politics put her in the firing line.
Richardson Jordan’s decision not to run for re-election comes after facing three serious Democratic opponents in the June primary, and she had struggled recently with media attention and negotiations with a developer. However, incumbent New York City Council member Bill Perkins endorsed entrepreneur Kristin Richardson Jordan’s continuing quest for the seat he held before his appointment to the state assembly. Perkins sees Jordan’s potential and has thrown his support behind her candidacy.
Despite Perkins’ endorsement of Jordan, the union for Building and Construction Trades workers and the seven-member Harlem political establishment have switched their endorsements to Inwood community organizer Bernadette Salaam and state assemblyman Michael Blake, respectively. Jordan has criticized “irresponsible journalism” for her troubles, but Shelley Mayer, the state Senator who recruited her, still supports her. The June 22 primary will determine who becomes the next councilperson in Perkins’ stead.
While Perkins’ passing is mourned, the community is reminded of his legacy as a champion for healthcare reform and social justice. He fought tirelessly to close the gap between the wealthy and the disadvantaged and was committed to ensuring equality in healthcare and criminal justice. Perkins’ remarkable commitment to community welfare and amazing public service will always be remembered.
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