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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
IN MEMORY OF THE HONORABLE ROBERT STEELE, COOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, 2ND DISTRICT
WHEREAS, on June 19, 2017, 2nd District Commissioner Robert Steele was called from our midst by Almighty God; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Robert Steele was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1961 to Robert P. and Bobbie Steele, and was a lifelong resident of Chicago’s Westside; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Steele earned his high school diploma from Westinghouse High School, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Information Systems from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Steele was a loving and dedicated father to Ahja, Cameron and Stephanie; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Steele was a life-long public servant, representing the 2nd District of Cook County as a County Board Commissioner since 2006; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Steele won election to the County Board in 2010 and was re-elected in 2014; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Steele was elected President Pro Tempore of the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 2010 and served in that role until his passing; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his duties as President Pro Tempore of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, Commissioner Steele served as Chairman of the Contract Compliance and Environmental Control Committees, and Vice-Chairman of the Health and Hospitals Committee; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Steele sponsored meaningful legislation including but not limited to: the Cook County Contract Management Ordinance, Unlawful Filing of Fraudulent Lien Ordinance, the Electronic Compiled Data Ordinance, and the Cook County “Ban the Box” Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Steele was a fierce advocate for eliminating the inequities endured by minority and women-owned small businesses, the establishment and growth of these businesses throughout the County and his own North Lawndale neighborhood, and helping formerly incarcerated individuals into employment; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Steele served as Forest Preserve District of Cook County Commissioner for the 2nd District where he was also President Pro Tempore, Chairman of the Contract Compliance Committee, Chairman of the Environmental Control Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Forest Preserve District’s Finance Committee; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Steele was a staunch advocate for conservation and the environment. He served on the Cook County Forest Preserve District’s Conservation and Policy Advisory Council; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Steele was extremely active in the National Association of Counties (NACo). He served on the Financial Services Center Committee until his passing, and previously served on the Defined Contribution and Retirement Committee; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Steele was a leader in the National Organization of Black County Officials (NOBCO), which he served as President (2008-2010) and on the Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Steele participated in a number of community service activities including but not limited to: the Mount Sinai Hospital Board of Directors, Government Technology Foundation Advisory Board, Gift of Hope Board of Directors, and President of the Board of Trustees of Frazier Preparatory Academy; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Steele was a deeply devoted member of Lawndale Christian Church and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Steele is survived by his mother, Cook County Board President Emeritus, Bobbie L. Steele; his siblings: Valerie Steele Holden, Joyce M. Steele, Byron Steele, Donna Steele-Ponder, and Eleshia Steele Mark; and his children: Ahja D. Steele, Cameron J. Steele, and Stephanie Williams.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the residents of Cook County do extend their deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Commissioner Robert Steele; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that suitable copies of this Resolution be tendered to Commissioner Steele’s mother, Cook County Board President Emeritus Bobbie Steele, and to his children as a means of communicating our deep respect and reverence for his commitment to his community and his service to the residents of the 2nd District and throughout Cook County.
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