Lifelong Washingtonian Ronald Marshall was elected Mayor in 1981, beating out Kenneth Crank and incumbent Arden Muller.  Marshall would serve until 1989.

Ed Schabinger and Don Gronewold are the 1981 recipients of the Washingtonian Award.

Washington began a trial run of mass transit service.

WCHS football made the IHSA playoffs for the first time in school history, losing in the first round to Champaign Central.

Back to 1980 --- On to 1982