RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Earlean Collins, Cook County Commissioner, has announced her retirement, after a long and distinguished career in public service; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has been informed of this significant event by Alderman Emma Mitts of the 37th Ward; and
WHEREAS, born in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, Earlean moved to Chicago as a teenager and graduated from Wendell Phillips High School and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois and became Assistant Administrator of Department of Children and Family Services; and
WHEREAS, elected in 1976, Earlean became the first black female elected to the Illinois Senate and the first female Assistant Majority Leader, distinguishing herself as a policy expert in the fields of children and family services and economic development; and
WHEREAS, after a successful career in the Illinois Senate, Earlean was elected to the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 1998, and served as Committee Chair ofthe Criminal Justice and Workforce and Job Development and Training Opportunities Committee, and served as a member ofthe Finance- Litigation, Tax Delinquency, and Human Relations Committees; and
WHEREAS, committed to mental health resources, veteran's rights, and affordable housing during her tenure as Cook County Commissioner, Earlean has brought much visibility to these issues during her terms of office; and
WHEREAS, Earlean has broken gender barriers and glass ceilings throughout her entire career, achieving many notable firsts, and holding the distinguished honor of being the longest serving female elected official in the State of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, a mentor and role model for women with visions of holding elected office, Earlean is a resolute example of hard work and persistence, and her contributions to public service will never be forgotten; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this 10th day of December, 2014, do hereby congratulate Earlean Collins on the occasion of her retirement and thank her for her years of faithful service; and
Emma Mitts Alderman, 37th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that suitable copies of this Resolution be presented to Earlean Collins as a token of our esteem and/appreciation.
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