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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING THE WORK AND ADVOCACY OF JESSIE MAAG
WHEREAS, Jessie Maag has been a tireless advocate for human rights, social justice, public safety, and the LGBTQ+ community across the northwest suburbs and has taught others how to fight for the rights and well-being of others; and
WHEREAS, Jessie is a co-founder of a women's group NW Women's VOICE (Vowing to Overcome Inequities & Committed to the Environment) in the northwest suburbs; and
WHEREAS, Jessie has been a leader in the fight for the LGBTQ+ community, and over the course of the last several years, Jessie has been the lead coordinator of the Community Pride Community Celebration held in Des Plaines every year; and
WHEREAS, she is a founding member and co-leader of the community group ‘SPEAK Des Plaines’ (Supporting Positive Efforts of Action and Knowledge), an anti-racist nonpartisan group open to anyone who wants to engage the diverse residents in local elections and city; and
WHEREAS, after witnessing the nationwide protests for police reform and racial justice in 2020, as a leading member of SPEAK Des Plaines, Jessie contacted city officials and the Des Plaines Police Department regarding transparency, training, and accountability and in response the police department published the DPPD Commitment to Community webpage; and
WHEREAS, as led by Jessie, SPEAK Des Plaines also cooperated with Maine West High School’s faculty to engage students in canvassing neighborhoods with voter registration information and have plans to further involve these active young residents in the future; and
WHEREAS, Jessie and members of SPEAK Des Plaines assisted ‘Reclaim the Northwest Suburbs’ in creating an educational, virtual event about racism in the suburbs; and
WHEREAS, additionally, in partnership with Maine West High School’s students, faculty, and “The Westerner” student newspaper, SPEAK Des Plaines published local candidate interviews so that residents could be informed for the local April 2021, 2023 and 2025 elections; and
WHEREAS, in April 2021 SPEAK also helped plan the United Against Hate Rally; and
WHEREAS, Jessie and SPEAK also collaborated with the city of Des Plaines to launch the #ShopDesPlaines campaign to support their local businesses which had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, in further partnerships with Maine West High School, SPEAK also collaborated on government class presentations, partnered with the GSA, and have worked with other school-based organizations for educational and volunteer opportunities; and
WHEREAS, in 2022, in collaboration with Maine West’s GSA, SPEAK organized the first annual all-ages Pride event for students, families, and people of all ages to share resources and celebrate; and
WHEREAS, in 2024 SPEAK Des Plaines collaborated with the city of Des Plaines to conduct a community strength and needs assessment to identify resources and areas of unmet needs to inform local leaders and decisionmakers; and
WHEREAS, SPEAK Des Plaines continues to explore avenues of public safety through research, conversations with city officials, collaboration with Unity Partnership, and discussions with the Des Plaines Police Department and their social workers; and
WHEREAS, Jessie has collaborated with the Chicago Gender Society and Chi-Town Gender Alliance to host informational meetings about activism, panel discussions highlighting the stories of Trans and Gender Expansive youth and young adults, and intergenerational conversations.
WHEREAS, Jessie and SPEAK Des Plaines have collaborated with the Des Plaines Clergy Alliance to host the 2025 Community Pride Celebration Christ Church UCC, Safe-Guarding Dreams an, inclusive gathering for reflection and connection in response to the harm & fear caused by the recent Supreme Court rulings, and Peace Circle Meetings at First Methodist Church.
WHEREAS, in her role with Center of Concern, Jessie has hosted Intergenerational LGBTQIA+ Cookies and conversations bringing together people of all generations to share their personal experiences.
WHEREAS, in Jessie’s role with Center of Concern, Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison has been proud to partner with their annual Volunteer Awards event, where important panels discuss current topics of importance to the aging community such as 2024's topic on the "Loneliness Epidemic" and 2025's topic on "Housing Stability"; and
WHEREAS, in her work, Jessie engaged elected officials like state reps, state senators, and county commissioners, non-profit leaders from AgeOptions, Elderwerks, RRF Foundation, and the Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County, along with Government leaders like Illinois' Chief Homelessness Officer and Cook County Department Department of Public Health,; and
WHEREAS, Jessie has been instrumental in teaching others how to be advocates, take risks, be brave, and stand up for others while also stressing the importance of taking care of ourselves.
WHEREAS, Jessie has shown herself as an incredible role model and has had a huge impact on the lives of students, parents, teachers, and residents in her community; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby recognize and congratulate Jessie Maag on her outstanding dedication to her community, tireless work for others, and exemplary example for all across Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and suitable copies be tendered to Jessie Maag in recognition of her service to her community.
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