MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF AUGUST 3, 2017
Title
MEMORIAL RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners extending sympathy and condolences to the family of Cook County Commissioner Robert B. Steele
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WHEREAS, Robert B. Steele was born on June 29, 1961, to Robert P. and Bobbie L. Steele. He was the fourth of seven children, and the first-born son; and
WHEREAS, Robert attended Morgan State University in Maryland. While at Morgan State, he joined the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, of which he was a proud member; and
WHEREAS, Robert was a strong believer in the importance of being actively involved in the community. As such, he worked with many community organizations, including Joyce’s Fine Arts Academy Employment and Training Services, the Chicago Park District, the Lawndale Business & Local Development Corporation, and Leadership Greater Chicago; and
WHEREAS, when his mother, Bobbie L. Steele, retired from her position as Cook County Board President in 2006, Robert was appointed to take her place, ultimately serving as president pro tempore of the Cook County Board; and
WHEREAS, dedicated to his North Lawndale community, Robert served as the commissioner of the Cook County Board’s 2nd District for 10 years, representing the West Loop, South Loop and West Side communities; and
WHEREAS, in addition to serving as president pro tempore, Robert also served as chairman of the Contract Compliance Committee, chairman of the Environmental Control Committee, vice chairman of the Health and Hospitals Committee, vice chairman of the Forest Preserve Finance Committee, member of the Financial Services Center Advisory Committee for the National Association of Counties, president of the National Association of Black County Officials and member of the Board of Directors for the National Organization of Black County Officials; and
WHEREAS, Robert also devoted his time to serving the community by taking on leadership roles in several local organizations, including as a member of the Board of Directors for Mt. Sinai Hospital, serving on the Board of Directors for the Gift of Hope, and chair of the Board of Trustees of Frazier Preparatory Academy; and
WHEREAS, diagnosed with diabetes when he was in his 20s, Robert received a kidney transplant from his sister Joyce Steele in 2010 and went on to become an advocate for organ donation; and
WHEREAS, Robert passed from this life on June 19, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Robert leaves to cherish his memory his beloved mother, Bobbi L. Steele, his children, his siblings, and a host of other family members and friends; and
WHEREAS, Robert B. Steele devoted his life to public service, advocating for his North Lawndale community and the citizens of Cook County; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and staff, extend our sympathy and condolences to the family of Robert B. Steele; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and that a copy of same, suitably engrossed, be presented to the family of Robert B. Steele.
Dated: August 3, 2017
Approved: MARIYANA T. SPYROPOULOS, President; BARBARA J. MCGOWAN, Vice President; FRANK AVILA, Chairman, Committee on Finance; TIMOTHY BRADFORD; MARTIN J. DURKAN; JOSINA MORITA; DEBRA SHORE; KARI K. STEELE; DAVID J. WALSH; Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Approved as to Form and Legality: Susan T. Morakalis, Acting General Counsel, STM:yt