Bobbie L. Steele
Encyclopedia
Bobbie L. Steele was sworn in as the 32nd president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners
on August 1, 2006. She had been commissioner for the 2nd District of Cook County
, Illinois
for 20 years and served out the remainder of the current presidential term through December 4, 2006.
, Mississippi
where she lived until she completed high school in 1954. She later attended Alabama A&M University 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.
She is a member of the National Council of Negro Women, League of Women Voters, Lake Shore Links Incorporated, and United Missionary Baptist Church.
, 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 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.
suffered a severe stroke one week before the March 2006 democratic primary. Her term began on August 1, 2006 and expired on December 4, 2006. This four month stint as interim president, and her subsequent retirement while in that position earned her an extra $67,500/year for her retirement income. Steele was quoted as saying, "I made the decision based on the fact that it was time for me to move on." John Stroger was replaced on the November ballot by his son, Todd Stroger
, who won the election and succeeded Steele as President.
Steele's new position made her the first female Cook County President.
Cook County Board of Commissioners
The Cook County Board of Commissioners is a legislative body made up of 17 commissioners who are elected by district for four year terms. Cook County, which includes the City of Chicago, is the nation's second largest county with a population of 5.2 million residents...
on August 1, 2006. She had been commissioner for the 2nd District of Cook County
Cook County, Illinois
Cook County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois, with its county seat in Chicago. It is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles County. The county has 5,194,675 residents, which is 40.5 percent of all Illinois residents. Cook County's population is larger than...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
for 20 years and served out the remainder of the current presidential term through December 4, 2006.
Early life
Steele was born in ClevelandCleveland, Mississippi
Cleveland is a city in Bolivar County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 12,334 as of the 2010 census.Cleveland has a fairly large commercial economy, with numerous restaurants, stores, and services along U.S. Highway 61...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
where she lived until she completed high school in 1954. She later attended Alabama A&M University in Huntsville
Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
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
Roosevelt University
Roosevelt University is a coeducational, private university with campuses in Chicago, Illinois and Schaumburg, Illinois. Founded in 1945, the university is named in honor of both former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The university's curriculum is based on...
where she earned her master’s degree in Supervision and Administration of Education. For twenty years, Steele worked for the Chicago Public Schools.
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.
Cook County Commissioner
In 1986 after urging from Mayor Harold WashingtonHarold Washington
Harold Lee Washington was an American lawyer and politician who became the first African-American Mayor of Chicago, serving from 1983 until his death in 1987.- Early years and military service :...
, 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 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.
Cook County President
Steele was appointed interim Cook County President after former President, John StrogerJohn Stroger
John H. Stroger, Jr. was an American politician who served from 1994 until 2006 as the first African-American president of the Cook County, Illinois Board of Commissioners. Stroger was a member of the Democratic Party. He was also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity...
suffered a severe stroke one week before the March 2006 democratic primary. Her term began on August 1, 2006 and expired on December 4, 2006. This four month stint as interim president, and her subsequent retirement while in that position earned her an extra $67,500/year for her retirement income. Steele was quoted as saying, "I made the decision based on the fact that it was time for me to move on." John Stroger was replaced on the November ballot by his son, Todd Stroger
Todd Stroger
Todd H. Stroger is the former president of the Cook County, Illinois Board and a former alderman for the 8th Ward in Chicago. Stroger is a member of the Democratic Party. In 2001, he was appointed to the Chicago City Council by Richard M. Daley...
, who won the election and succeeded Steele as President.
Steele's new position made her the first female Cook County President.