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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING COOK COUNTY CLERK DAVID ORR
WHEREAS, David Orr is concluding his tenure as Cook County Clerk on November 30, 2018 after 28 outstanding years of public service to the residents of Cook County; and
WHEREAS, Clerk Orr has been a progressive voice in Chicago politics for more than 35 years, starting with his aldermanic career of the 49th Ward in City of Chicago in 1979; and
WHEREAS, in 1987, Clerk Orr became Mayor of the City of Chicago after the sudden passing of then Mayor Harold Washington; and
WHEREAS, in 1990, Clerk Orr was elected to office of Cook County Clerk, an office responsible for one of the largest election districts in the United States; and
WHEREAS, throughout his career, Clerk Orr has ushered in a Voter Renaissance in Illinois making voter registration and voting easier and more accessible statewide; and
WHEREAS, Clerk Orr led the fight to implement the Motor Voter law in Illinois as well as introduced Early Voting legislation that now allows voters in Illinois to cast their ballots two weeks prior to an election; and
WHEREAS, Clerk Orr promoted passage of a statewide law that allows junior and senior high school students to serve as election judges, part of the Clerk’s Teen Democracy Program; and
WHEREAS, Clerk Orr has used technology to improve customer service and save the county and taxpayers money, such as consolidating City and County vital records; and
WHEREAS, Clerk Orr created the free Running for Office Starter Kit which allows suburban Cook County residents to view the elected offices they are eligible to run for and receive the necessary information and documentation to complete the challenging process of running for office; and
WHEREAS, Clerk Orr worked closely with legislative leaders and civil rights groups to bring marriage equality to Illinois, efforts through which more than 14,000 same sex couples have gotten married in Cook County; and
WHEREAS, throughout his years of public service, Clerk Orr has been dedicated to the needs and values of the residents of Cook County;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby extend our sincere and grateful appreciation to Cook County Clerk David Orr for his service and our best wishes to him for continued success, happiness, and good health in the years to come.
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 Cook County Clerk David Orr.
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