Bobbie L. Steele
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Bobbie L. Steele was sworn in as the 32nd president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners on August 1, 2006. President Steele has been commissioner for the 2nd District of Cook County, Illinois for 20 years and will be serving out the remainder of the current presidential term through December 4, 2006.
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[edit] Early life
Steele was born in Cleveland, Mississippi where she lived until she completed high school in 1954. She later attended Alabama A.M.A. College in Huntsville, Alabama for two years.
Steele moved to Chicago’s Westside in 1956 with the intention of finishing her education. In 1966, she graduated from Chicago’s Teacher’s College with a degree in Elementary Education. She went on the Roosevelt University where she earned her master’s degree in Supervision and Administration of Education. For twenty years, Steele worked for the Chicago Public Schools.
[edit] Public service
Steele was the president of the National Association of Black County Officials and Chairperson of the National Association of County Officials Deferred Compensation Advisory committee.
She is a member of the National Council of Negro Women, League of Women Voters, Lake Shore Links Incorporated, and United Missionary Baptist Church.
[edit] Cook County Commissioner
In 1986 after urging from Mayor Harold Washington, Steele decided on a career change and ran successfully for the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
Her major accomplishments include introducing an amendment to Cook County's Purchasing Ordinance, which established a goal of 25% participation for minorities and 10% for women on all county purchases. She also co-sponsored Cook County’s Human Rights and Ethics Ordinances. Steele introduced the ordinance renaming Cook County Hospital after then board president John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital. Early in her career, Steele had a vision to establish an on-site daycare center for county employees. This daycare center is now up and running.
More recently, Steele introduced the Cook County Re-Entry Employment Project Ordinance. This ordinance seeks to reinforce the evidence that formerly incarcerated individuals can succeed if they are employed. This ordinance is designed to provide jobs for adults who are first time non-violent offenders through Cook County government.
Steele is the longest serving African American woman in the history of Cook County. She is the first and only woman to serve as chairperson of the Finance Committee of the Forest Preserve District of Chicago. She is also chairperson of the Department of Corrections, Education, Contract Compliance, and Estate and Rules Committees.
In 1993, Steele was inducted into the Chicago Women’s Hall of Fame.
[edit] Cook County President
Steele was appointed interim Cook County President after former President, John Stroger suffered a severe stroke one week before the March 2006 democratic primary. Her term began on August 1, 2006 and will expire in December of 2006. Stroger will be replaced on the November ballot by his son, Todd Stroger.
Steele's new position makes her the first female Cook County President. It is widely believed that Steele will step down from the board of commissioners after the election. This will allow her to retire with the pension of board president which is significantly higher than that of a commissioner.
[edit] Personal life
Commissioner Steele and her husband, Robert, have seven children and thirteen grandchildren.
