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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CELEBRATING THE CAREER OF CLIFF KELLEY AND HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO CHICAGO RADIO
WHEREAS, after more than two decades of contribution to Chicago radio, news analyst and radio talk show host Cliff Kelley is set to retire from Chicago’s premier urban talk radio station, WVON, on March 29, 2019; and
WHEREAS, born and raised in Chicago’s South Side, Cliff Kelley is a graduate of Englewood High School, Roosevelt University and John Marshall Law School; and
WHEREAS, in addition to being a distinguished radio talk show host, Cliff Kelley is a veteran, an attorney and a former member of the City Council of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Cliff Kelley is also known for being the first African American to serve as the vice president of the Young Democrats of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, in 1971, Cliff Kelley was elected to alderman of the 20th Ward and served the residents of the City of Chicago for 16 years; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure in Chicago City Council, Cliff Kelley was an advocate for racial equality, an elected school board and a pioneer for LGBTQ rights; and
WHEREAS, Cliff Kelley introduced the Chicago City Council’s first proposed ordinance to ban discrimination because of sexual orientation; and
WHEREAS, even though the proposed ordinance failed to pass, it was the precursor for the City’s Human Rights Ordinance which passed in 1988; and
WHEREAS, in 1990, Cliff Kelley began his career as a radio talk show host with WGCI-AM; and
WHEREAS, Cliff Kelley transitioned to WVON’s morning drive show host in 1994, cultivating a following by bringing in politicians, candidates, political reporters, consultants, community groups and many others who want to reach the African American community; and
WHEREAS, in 2007, Cliff Kelley became the afternoon drive show host where he continued be a staple in the African American community and Chicago radio; and
WHEREAS, retirement does not mean Cliff Kelley will be away from Chicago radio listeners; and
WHEREAS, Cliff Kelley will remain the host of the independently produced American Heroes broadcast that aims to empower and connect the Armed Forces and veterans to help mitigate the challenges veterans face; and
WHEREAS, Cliff will be missed by his afternoon listeners throughout Cook County and by his colleagues and friends at WVON; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the residents of Cook County, do recognize Cliff Kelley for all that he has contributed to Cook County and Chicago radio, and wish him all the best on his retirement and future endeavors; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be tendered to Cliff Kelley as a means of communicating our appreciation.
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