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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CONGRATULATING THE COOK COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE ON RECEIVING THE U.S. ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION'S CLEARINGHOUSE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ELECTION ADMINISTRATION
WHEREAS, as the chief election authority for suburban Cook County, the Cook County Clerk bears the vital responsibility of safeguarding elections that are fair, efficient, accessible, and secure, a charge that Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon has embraced with seriousness, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to expanding voter participation; and
WHEREAS, recognizing the importance of investing in the next generation of civic leaders, Clerk Monica Gordon launched a High School Early Voting Program for the 2026 Gubernatorial Election in Cook County, placing students at the center of real-world election operations as both Election Judges and voters; and
WHEREAS, the Clerk's "Defenders of DA'mocracy" program is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation and was developed through a public-private partnership with the Chicago Bears; and through Bears-branded materials, video messages, and leadership participation, the initiative uses a culturally relevant platform to engage students in meaningful civic participation and make the election process tangible and exciting for young people; and
WHEREAS, students from 24 suburban high schools were trained and certified as official Election Judges to operate on-campus Early Voting sites for the March 17 Gubernatorial Primary, and, under the supervision of the Clerk's Office, they managed voter check-in, ballot processing, and equipment while adhering to strict security and chain-of-custody protocols, thereby gaining an authentic and hands-on civic experience; and
WHEREAS, the initiative builds civic confidence, demystifies election administration, and cultivates a pipeline of future Election Judges and engaged young voters; and with the support of the Chicago Bears amplifying outreach, the program demonstrates how innovative pa...
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