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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING TANYA S. ANTHONY UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT FOR HER SERVICE TO COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, Tanya S. Anthony has devoted her career to public service, bringing intelligence, integrity and steady leadership to every role she has held; and
WHEREAS, Tanya has served as Chief Financial Officer of Cook County since December 2022 overseeing the expansive financial operations of one of the largest local governments in the nation that includes a $10 billion annual balanced budget; and
WHEREAS, under her leadership, Cook County strengthened its fiscal foundation, advanced pension funding, guided equitable and essential pandemic spending, and earned multiple credit rating upgrades that reflect disciplined management and long-term planning; and
WHEREAS, Tanya’s approach to public finance has always been grounded in honesty, rigor and accountability. She never sought easy answers, but instead brought clarity, candor and a deep respect for the public trust; and
WHEREAS, Tanya has dedicated her life and career to public service with roles in budget and administration both at the County and the City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, before serving as CFO, Tanya served three years as the County’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), where she led 12 departments and divisions, and helped guide the County through one of the most difficult periods in its history; and
WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tanya helped lead critical operational responses, working with the Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security and the Medical Examiner’s Office to ensure Cook County residents were served with care, dignity and respect during a time of profound loss; and
WHEREAS, from 2015 - 2020, Tanya served as Cook County’s Budget Director working collaboratively across departments to pass five budgets, close significant budget gaps, strengthen pension funding and launch the County’s first interactive budget website to make government more transparent and accessible; and
WHEREAS, prior to joining the County in 2015, Tanya held leadership roles with the Chicago Park District, the City of Chicago’s Office of Budget and Management, the Chicago Fire Department and the Cook County Department of Corrections and began her career serving our nation in the United States Army; and
WHEREAS, Tanya was named one of Chicago’s notable military veteran executives by Crain’s Chicago Business in 2022; and
WHEREAS, outside of her impressive and storied public service career, Tanya has generously shared her time and talents at Bright Star Church and other Bright Star Community Outreach organizations; and
WHEREAS, she is also proud of her work with Leadership Greater Chicago to create transformative change throughout the region; and
WHEREAS, her vast financial expertise is matched only by her warmth, humor and joy. Known to many as DJ Royal-T, she has brought music, laughter and celebration to countless County gatherings, reminding us all that leadership can be both serious in purpose and generous in spirit; and
WHEREAS, Tanya is leaving the County to enjoy retirement and hopefully pursuing her many loves and interests including travel, responsible firearm training and music; and
WHEREAS, while not one for hullabaloo or fawning praise, Tanya has played an incredible and significant role within the County over the last decade and has done it all with a grace, an infectious laugh, deep consideration for others and a desire to make the County better each day; and
WHEREAS, with Tanya, you understood you were getting her true and honest assessment. She avoided kabuki math, shunned fluff n’ stuff, steered clear of gobbledygook and disdained smoke and mirrors when it came to County finances and the budget; and
WHEREAS, after years of distinguished service, Tanya should be immensely proud of her numerous professional accomplishments but also recognized for her amazing influence as a mother to her son Torian and daughter Teiya and wife to Bernie Anthony; and
WHEREAS, Cook County is stronger, more stable and more compassionate because of Tanya Anthony’s leadership, and her presence will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to work beside her.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners, hereby honor and recognize Tanya S. Anthony for her work on behalf of the residents of Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be tendered to Tanya S. Anthony as a means of communicating our appreciation.
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