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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING COMMISSIONER BRANDON JOHNSON
WHEREAS, after four (4) years of exemplary service as a public servant, Commissioner Brandon Johnson will vacate his seat as Cook County Commissioner of the 1stdistrict; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Johnson grew up with nine siblings in a three-bedroom house with one and a half bathrooms in Elgin; and
WHEREAS, his parents were pastors and foster parents; Johnson was a volunteer at his father's church, leading the youth group and driving a church van; and
WHEREAS, Brandon and his wife Stacie live in the Austin community, where they are raising their children Owen, Ethan and Braedyn; and
WHEREAS, Johnson earned a bachelor's degree in human services, Youth Development Programming, and Management and a master's degree in teaching from Aurora University; and
WHEREAS, Johnson worked as a social studies teacher at Jenner Academy Elementary and George Westinghouse College Prep, both part of the Chicago Public Schools system; and
WHEREAS, he became an organizer with the Chicago Teachers Union in 2011, and helped organize the 2012 Chicago teachers strike; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Johnson sponsored Ordinances and Resolutions which successfully passed the Just Housing Ordinance, prohibiting discrimination against justice-involved Cook County residents seeking affordable housing; and
WHEREAS, he acted as lead sponsor for the Justice for Black Lives resolution, which called for investments in physical and mental health, jobs, housing, restorative justice, violence prevention, internet access, and additional resources; and
WHEREAS, he stood in solidarity with Little Village and Southeast Side communities in fights for environmental justice; and
WHEREAS, he helped secure over $100 million in historic violence prevention funding to community groups working directly in neighborhoods most impacted by violence; and
WHEREAS, he was a part of a coalition that created a dedicated Cook County Public Defender Immigration Unit to provide legal representation and protect immigrant communities; and
WHEREAS, he was a co-sponsor of an ordinance that shut down the Cook County gang database; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Johnson brought a visionary, and passionate energy to the board; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Johnson has led with compassion, and dedicated his years of service to helping improve the County for everyone, especially our most vulnerable communities; and
WHEREAS, while we wish nothing but the utmost happiness in his new role, Commissioner Johnson’s presence on the board will be missed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Toni Preckwinkle, President, and Members of the Cook County Board Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby extends their sincere and grateful appreciation to Commissioner Brandon Johnson for his exemplary career in public service and their best wishes to him for continued success, happiness, and good health in the years to come; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and a suitable copy of same be tendered to Commissioner Brandon Johnson.
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