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RESOLUTION HONORING THE HONORABLE E. KENNETH WRIGHT, JR.
WHEREAS, The Honorable E. Kenneth Wright, Jr. has devoted his distinguished career to the fair administration of justice and to public service in Cook County and the State of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Judge Wright was first appointed as a Circuit Judge by the Illinois Supreme Court in July 1994 and was subsequently elected to that office in November 1994, demonstrating the trust and confidence placed in him by both the judiciary and the voters of Cook County; and
WHEREAS, Prior to his judicial service, Judge Wright practiced law in the private sector where he handled criminal, divorce, probate, and real estate matters, as well as civil litigation, gaining broad legal experience that would later inform his judicial service; and
WHEREAS, In February 2003, Judge Wright became Presiding Judge of the First Municipal District of the Circuit Court of Cook County providing leadership and oversight to one of the largest and busiest municipal court districts in the United States; and
WHEREAS, before his appointment as Presiding Judge, Judge Wright served with distinction in the Probate Division and in numerous sections of the First Municipal District, including civil jury and non-jury sections, felony preliminary hearings-including felony drug hearings-and the traffic section; and
WHEREAS, Judge Wright has also demonstrated exceptional leadership within the legal profession serving as President of the Chicago Bar Association from 2008 to 2009; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the law and the legal community, Judge Wright received the Chicago Bar Association’s prestigious John Paul Stevens Award in 2020; and
WHEREAS, Judge Wright’s commitment to education and lifelong learning is evidenced by his academic accomplishments, including a Juris Doctor Degree from Northwestern University School of Law, a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Illinois, a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Arkansas, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arkansas (AM&N College); and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby honor and commend The Honorable E. Kenneth Wright, Jr. for his exemplary judicial service, leadership, integrity, and dedication to the people of Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to The Honorable E. Kenneth Wright, Jr., as an expression of the respect and gratitude of the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
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