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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
COOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF RENEE FERGUSON
WHEREAS, in solemn assembly and with profound respect, we gather to commemorate the extraordinary life and indelible legacy of Renee Ferguson, an intrepid journalist, a trailblazer in investigative reporting, and an unwavering champion for truth, justice, and equity in American society; and
WHEREAS, born on August 22, 1949, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Mary Anderson Ferguson and Eugene Ferguson, Renee was nurtured in a community marked by segregation, and forged in an environment shaping her resolute sense of social justice and igniting her lifelong passion and calling for storytelling; and
WHEREAS, Renee graduated from Douglass High School in 1967 and went on to earn a degree in journalism from Indiana University in 1971, thereby embarking on a path distinguishing her professionally and uplifting the voices of the marginalized and disenfranchised; and
WHEREAS, Renee’s early career began at WLWI-TV in Indianapolis, where she emerged as one of the few African American women in television journalism at the time. Her pioneering presence broke barriers and laid the groundwork for future generations of journalists of color; and
WHEREAS, , in 1977, Renee joined WBBM-TV in Chicago, making history as the first African American woman to serve as an investigative reporter on a Chicago television news team. Her formidable talents later led her to CBS News as a national correspondent in New York and Atlanta, before she returned to Chicago in 1986 to lend her investigative acumen to the esteemed UNIT 5 team at WMAQ-TV; and
WHEREAS, through her fearless and unflinching investigations, Renee illuminated systemic injustices and catalyzed reform, tackling such critical issues as racial discrimination, housing inequities, healthcare disparities, and institutional misconduct. Her landmark exposés included uncovering the strip-searching of Black women at O’Hare Airport, the culture of sexual harassment at the Ford Motor Plant, and abuses within the Chicago Police Department. Renee redefined the role of journalism as a vehicle for public accountability and transformative justice; and
WHEREAS, Renee’s journalistic excellence garnered her numerous accolades, including seven Emmy Awards, an Associated Press Award for Best Investigative Reporting, and the prestigious Alfred I. DuPont Columbia University Award. Each award served as a testament to Renee’s ethical rigor, narrative brilliance, and relentless pursuit of truth; and
WHEREAS, beyond the accolades and headlines, Renee was a beacon of mentorship and empowerment, offering guidance, encouragement, and opportunity to emerging journalists, particularly young reporters of color, thereby reshaping newsrooms into spaces to better and fully reflect the communities they serve; and
WHEREAS, deeply rooted in the Hyde Park and Kenwood neighborhoods, Renee was beloved not only for her professional accomplishments, but also for her innumerable acts of kindness, generosity of spirit, and her commitment to fostering community pride, cultural vibrancy, and civic engagement; and
WHEREAS, with heavy hearts yet immense gratitude, the Cook County Board of Commissioners, along with community members and colleagues, honor Renee’s legacy not solely in grief but in celebration of a life that brought light, truth, and integrity to the world around her; and
WHEREAS, Renee’s legacy continues through her devoted son, Jason Smikle, and in the enduring impact of her groundbreaking journalism, which captured the complex mosaic of the human condition and the soul of the city she loved; and
WHEREAS, today we gather not in mourning, but in affirmation Renee Ferguson lived magnificently. This commemoration offers space for all whose lives she touched to reflect upon her transformative influence, share cherished memories, and commit to upholding the values she championed; and
WHEREAS, Renee’s life was further enriched by her profound partnership with her late husband, Ken Smikle, publisher of Target Market News and a tireless advocate for Black media, who passed away in 2018 after a courageous journey bringing critical attention to the importance of organ donation; and
WHEREAS, the bond between Renee and Ken was emblematic of love in its truest form, devoted, resilient, and expansive. Their lives were deeply intertwined in purpose and affection, each uplifting the other through personal trials and public triumphs. Their presence was a gift to the communities they cherished, particularly in Kenwood and Hyde Park, where their love radiated through every act of service and care; and
NOW, THEREFORE, WE, BILL LOWRY, COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF THE 3rd DISTRICT, AND TONI PRECKWINKLE, PRESIDENT OF THE COOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, extended community of journalists, activists, neighbors, and admirers, hereby extend our deepest appreciation and admiration for the life, work, and legacy of Renee Ferguson, a fearless truth-teller, a vanguard of justice, and a beloved daughter of Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we do hereby proclaim this day in tribute to Renee Ferguson, honoring her as a visionary in the field of broadcast journalism, a relentless advocate for justice, and a compassionate human being whose legacy will endure in the stories we tell and the truths we pursue.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, a suitable copy of this Resolution be presented to the family of Renee Ferguson as a lasting tribute to her remarkable legacy and in grateful acknowledgment of her exceptional life of service of the Office of Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry 3rd. District.
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