Robert Steele (Illinois politician)

Robert B. Steele
Cook County Commissioner from the 2nd district
In office
2006–2017
Preceded byBobbie L. Steele
Succeeded byDennis Deer
Personal details
Born(1961-06-29)June 29, 1961
DiedJune 19, 2017(2017-06-19) (aged 55)
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materMorgan State University

Robert Steele was Commissioner and President Pro Tempore for the 2nd district of Cook County, Illinois, covering the West Side of Chicago.[1] As Cook County Board Commissioner, Steele voted to uphold a 1.5% 2008 Cook County sales tax increase, remaining the highest in the nation which led the Chicago Tribune to encourage voters to vote against him in the 2010 elections.

Until his death in 2017, Steele was chairman of board of Frazier Preparatory Academy.[2]

Early life

He was born in Cook County Hospital, Chicago, Illinois on June 29, 1961, to Robert and Bobbie L. Steele. His mother had previously been both Cook County Commissioner and Board President. Steele is a graduate of the Morgan State University in Maryland.[3] In the mid-1990s, he was the executive director of the Lawndale Business and Local Development Corporation.[4][5]

Political career

Shortly after her successful reelection in 2006, incumbent Bobbie L. Steele resigned effective November 30, 2006. To fill the subsequent vacancy, local Democratic committeemen appointed Robert B. Steele for the term to which she was elected.[6] Robert Steele was appointed by the Cook County Board of Commissioners and took office on December 6, 2006.[7] Dennis Deer was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Steele's death.[8]

Death

Steele died on June 19, 2017, due to complications related to diabetes.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Cook County Government - Robert Steele". Cook County Government. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  2. ^ Dardick, Hal (June 19, 2017). "Cook County Commissioner Robert Steele dies". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Robert Steele - Cook County Commissioner". Cook County Clerk's Office. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  4. ^ Trottie, L. Nicole (June 21, 2017). "Commissioner Robert Steele Remembered". West Suburban Journal. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  5. ^ Halperin, Jennifer. "Here Comes the Neighborhood". Illinois Issues. 21 (1). Sangamon State University: 12–16. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  6. ^ Ciokajlo, Mickey (December 6, 2006). "Steele passes on seat to her son ; Democrats go along with minimal dissent". Chicago Tribune. p. 2NS7 – via ProQuest.
  7. ^ Orr, David (County Clerk). "Special Meeting - December 6, 2006". Journal of Proceedings of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. 175 (12). Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  8. ^ Studenkov, Igor (July 13, 2017). "Late Robert Steele's replacement named". Austin Weekly News. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  9. ^ Armentrout, Mitchell (June 19, 2017). "Cook County Commissioner Robert Steele dies". Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago, Illinois. Retrieved June 20, 2017.