Cook County Board of Commissioners honors deceased

By Wadi Reformado

Mar 5, 2017

The Cook County Board of Commissioners met Feb. 7 to honor the deceased.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the commissioners:

Cook County Building, Board Room, 118 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois

BOARD AGENDA

Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 9:00 AM

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF COOK COUNTY

Consent Calendar Meeting

Board of Commissioners BOARD AGENDA February 7, 2017

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

CONSENT CALENDAR

Pursuant to Cook County Code, the Secretary to the Board of Commissioners hereby transmits Consent

Calendar Resolutions for your consideration. The Consent Calendar Resolutions shall be published in

the Post Board Action Agenda and Journal of Proceedings as prepared by the Clerk of the Board.

17-1489

Sponsored by: RICHARD R. BOYKIN, TONI PRECKWINKLE (President), LUIS ARROYO JR,

JERRY BUTLER, JOHN P. DALEY, JOHN A. FRITCHEY, BRIDGET GAINER, JESÚS G. GARCÍA,

GREGG GOSLIN, EDWARD M. MOODY, STANLEY MOORE, SEAN M. MORRISON, TIMOTHY

O. SCHNEIDER, PETER N. SILVESTRI, DEBORAH SIMS, ROBERT STEELE, LARRY

SUFFREDIN and JEFFREY R. TOBOLSKI, Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

HONORING THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN EUGENE CERNAN

WHEREAS, Almighty God in His infinite wisdom has called Captain Eugene Cernan from our midst on

January 16, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Captain Cernan was born on March 14, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois, to Andrew and Rose

Cernan; and

WHEREAS, the family soon relocated to the Village of Bellwood, Illinois, where Captain Cernan was

raised; and

WHEREAS, Captain Cernan went on to study at Purdue University, where he graduated with a Bachelor

of Science degree in Electrical Engineering; and

WHEREAS, Captain Cernan joined the United States Navy ROTC and served aboard the USS Roanoke

while he was still in college; and

WHEREAS, Captain Cernan was commissioned into the Navy and became a Naval Aviator in 1958; and

WHEREAS, he graduated with a Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1963 from

the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School; and

WHEREAS, that same year, Captain Cernan was selected by NASA as an astronaut to participate in the

Gemini and Apollo programs; and

WHEREAS, Captain Cernan commanded the Apollo 17 mission, the final lunar landing; and

WHEREAS, at the time of his death, Captain Cernan remained the last person to walk on the face of the

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Board of Commissioners BOARD AGENDA February 7, 2017

moon; and

WHEREAS, following his service with the Navy and NASA, Captain Cernan went on to a successful

career in business and spent much time meeting with young people to encourage them to always shoot

for the moon; and

WHEREAS, Captain Cernan was married to Jan and raised three daughters, Teresa, Kelly, and Danielle;

and

WHEREAS, the people of Bellwood and Cook County commend Captain Cernan on his many

accomplishments.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby

offer its deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Captain Eugene

Cernan and joins them in sorrow at this time of loss.

17-1530

Sponsored by: JOHN P. DALEY, TONI PRECKWINKLE (President), LUIS ARROYO JR, RICHARD

R. BOYKIN, JERRY BUTLER, JOHN A. FRITCHEY, BRIDGET GAINER, JESÚS G. GARCÍA,

GREGG GOSLIN, EDWARD M. MOODY, STANLEY MOORE, SEAN M. MORRISON, TIMOTHY

O. SCHNEIDER, PETER N. SILVESTRI, DEBORAH SIMS, ROBERT STEELE, LARRY

SUFFREDIN and JEFFREY R. TOBOLSKI, Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

RECOGNIZING FEBRUARY 14, 2017 AS FOOD CHECKOUT DAY

WHEREAS, Food Checkout Day was established in the mid-1990’s to recognize the connection

between farmers and the safe, nutritious food source they cooperatively grow; and

WHEREAS, the Cook County Farm Bureau® has celebrated Food Checkout Day by raising cash and

food donations for Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana

(RMHC®-CNI) since 2001; and

WHEREAS, Food Checkout Day will again be celebrated at the Ronald McDonald House near

Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House near Lurie’s; and

WHEREAS, since 2001 Cook County Farm Bureau® members have donated over 900 hours; over

82,000 pounds of food; contributed over $123,00 in cash donations; and over 2,600 pounds of pop tabs to

support Chicagoland’s five Ronald McDonald Houses; and

WHEREAS, Cook County Farm Bureau® families and partners have donated enough food to feed over

91,000 families;

WHEREAS, RMHC®-CNI continues to care for families of children with complex medical issues by

providing a “home away from home” to keep families together while their children are receiving medical

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Board of Commissioners BOARD AGENDA February 7, 2017

treatment far from home; and

WHEREAS, every night, 153 families heal together because of the comfort, compassion, and

community at the five Ronald McDonald Houses and three Ronald McDonald House family rooms; and

WHEREAS, Food Checkout Day recognizes the connection between farmers and the healthy and

nutritious food they grow and care for; and

WHEREAS, the over 47,000 members of the Cook County Farm Bureau® including 1,000 farmer

members recognize the importance of producing safe, nutritious food using environmentally sustainable

practices; and

WHEREAS, Cook County farmers recognize the need for better access throughout Cook County to fresh

food; and

WHEREAS, despite cash and non-perishable donations there is increased need at all five of

RMHC®-CNI Cook County houses; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners recognize

Tuesday, February 14, 2017 as Food Checkout Day and salute the efforts of the Cook County Farm

Bureau® and the Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana for their

efforts to feed those individuals and families in need; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy be tendered to the Ronald McDonald House

Charities® of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana and the Cook County Farm Bureau® for their efforts

to feed those individuals and families in need.

17-1603

Sponsored by: JOHN A. FRITCHEY, TONI PRECKWINKLE (President), LUIS ARROYO JR,

RICHARD R. BOYKIN, JERRY BUTLER, JOHN P. DALEY, BRIDGET GAINER, JESÚS G.

GARCÍA, GREGG GOSLIN, EDWARD M. MOODY, STANLEY MOORE, SEAN M. MORRISON,

TIMOTHY O. SCHNEIDER, PETER N. SILVESTRI, DEBORAH SIMS, ROBERT STEELE, LARRY

SUFFREDIN and JEFFREY R. TOBOLSKI, Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

CONGRATULATING THE 2016 WORLD SERIES CHAMPION CHICAGO CUBS

WHEREAS, the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners on behalf of its residents wish

to wholeheartedly congratulate the 2016 Chicago Cubs for their triumphant year, winning the National

League Central Division, National League Pennant, and culminating in their World Series win which

captivated fans around the world; and

WHEREAS, established in 1876 as the Chicago White Stockings, later changing their name to the

Chicago Colts, the Chicago Orphans and finally settling on the name Chicago Cubs in 1903, the Cubs are

the oldest Major League Baseball team to have played its entire existence in a single city; and

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Board of Commissioners BOARD AGENDA February 7, 2017

WHEREAS, the leadership and commitment of Chairman and Owner Tom Ricketts to invest in the

Cubs’ long-term growth, starting with President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein, who brought a

proven winning track record and attention to detail, set the stage to turn the Cubs from the lovable losers

that caused yearly heartbreak to its devoted fans into a world-class, championship organization; and

WHEREAS, in his second season as manager, Joe Maddon guided the Cubs to 103 victories; the best

record in the major leagues, finishing a dominant 17½ games ahead of the Central Division runner-up

and long-time rivals the St. Louis Cardinals; making it the first 100+ win season the Cubs have had since

1935 and marking the most victories the team has had since 1910; and

WHEREAS, the 2016 Chicago Cubs featured a star-studded roster led by a dominating pitching staff

including 2015 Cy Young winner Jake Arietta, 2016 Cy Young candidates Kyle Hendricks and Jon

Lester, Jason Hammel, John Lackey, Carl Edwards, Jr., Justin Grimm, Mike Montgomery, Hector

Rondon, Pedro Strop, Travis Wood, Trevor Cahill and Aroldis Chapman; and

WHEREAS, the Cubs also fielded an impressive All-Star line-up including National League MVP Kris

Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Dexter Fowler, Willson Contreras, Jason Hayward, Albert Almora,

Jr., Miguel Montero, David Ross, Addison Russell, Kyle Schwarber, Chris Coghlan, Munenori

Kawasaki, Tommy La Stella, Matt Szczur, Jorge Soler, Joe Smith, Rob Zastryzny and World Series MVP

Ben Zobrist; and

WHEREAS, the historic 2016 season saw the Cubs win their first National League Pennant in 7l years

and marked the Cubs' first appearance in the World Series since 1945 and their first World Series victory

since 1908; and

WHEREAS, the World Series win was especially poignant for the countless long-time Cubs fans who

were overcome with emotion, remembering family members, fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers who

were no longer here to witness the triumph, and for the generations of fans, many of whom came to

Chicago from around the country and around the world, even without tickets to any of the games, solely

to experience what they knew in their hearts was history in the making; and

WHEREAS, in the playoffs, the Cubs faced and defeated two historic and highly regarded California

franchises, the San Francisco Giants in the National League Division Series and the Los Angeles

Dodgers in the National League Championship Series; and

WHEREAS, the World Series pitted our Chicago Cubs against the Cleveland Indians, who themselves

had a historic run through the playoffs, in one of the most exciting and heart-wrenching match-ups in

baseball history; and

WHEREAS, the World Series saw the Cubs down 3 games to 1, a deficit only 5 teams have previously

overcome in World Series history, but the resilient and unshakeable Cubs never lost their confidence and

roared back to win the next 3 games; and

WHEREAS, as was fitting of a World Series of such epic proportions, the championship came down to

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Board of Commissioners BOARD AGENDA February 7, 2017

a Game 7 pitting Cubs' pitching ace Kyle Hendricks, owner of the lowest ERA (2.13) in Major League

Baseball in 2016, against Cleveland ace pitcher Corey Kluber, who had already won Games 2 and 4 of

the World Series. The Cubs started the scoring quickly with a Dexter Fowler lead-off home run. After six

innings, the Cubs held on to a 6-3 lead, but in the bottom of the eighth, the Indians tied the game with a

rally that featured a two-run home run. At the end of nine innings, the score was still tied 6 to 6 sending

the final game of the baseball season into extra innings. After a seventeen-minute rain delay, the 10th

inning started and the Cubs scored two runs on a double by Ben Zobrist and a single by Miguel Montero.

The club’s place in history was etched in the bottom of the tenth inning, when following a Cleveland run,

the Cubs got the final out, winning the game 8 to 7, and sending shockwaves and tears around the globe.

Baseball experts agree that Game 7 will go down in history as one of the most dramatic and thrilling in

the annals of the World Series and in sports itself; and

WHEREAS, all of Chicago and Cook County are proud of the great accomplishments of the 2016

Chicago Cubs and wish them continuing success and championships in future seasons;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and the Cook County Board of

Commissioners does hereby congratulate Owner Tom Ricketts, President of Baseball Operations, Theo

Epstein, President of Business Operations, Crane Kenney, the Chicago Cubs players and staff on an

exceptional 2016 season that will deservedly be forever glorified in Major League Baseball; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Chicago

Cubs organization as a token of our heartfelt congratulations.

17-1609

Sponsored by: RICHARD R. BOYKIN, TONI PRECKWINKLE (President), LUIS ARROYO JR,

JERRY BUTLER, JOHN P. DALEY, JOHN A. FRITCHEY, BRIDGET GAINER, JESÚS G. GARCÍA,

GREGG GOSLIN, EDWARD M. MOODY, STANLEY MOORE, SEAN M. MORRISON, TIMOTHY

O. SCHNEIDER, PETER N. SILVESTRI, DEBORAH SIMS, ROBERT STEELE, LARRY

SUFFREDIN and JEFFREY R. TOBOLSKI, Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

HONORING BISHOP DR. CLAUDE PORTER ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY

WHEREAS, Bishop Dr. Claude Porter was born on January 21, 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Porter celebrated his 80th birthday on January 21, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Porter has more than 45 years of experience in social services having founded

Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action Inc. with a single employment training grant in 1968;

and,

WHEREAS, He is also the Founder and President of the Porter Family Center, the President of

Maywood Phoenix Homes Senior Citizens Project, the Executive Vice President of the West Suburban

NAACP and the Founder, Bishop and Pastor of Proviso Missionary Baptist Church located in Maywood,

Illinois; and,

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Board of Commissioners BOARD AGENDA February 7, 2017

WHEREAS, Bishop Porter is a member of several boards in and around the West Suburban Cook

County area and Chairman of the Proviso Township Ministerial Alliance Network (PT-MAN); and,

WHEREAS, Bishop Porter is the past recipient of the Humanitarian Award, the Community Spirit

Award, Business of the Year Award, Pioneer Award H.H.S. Head Start and was inducted into the Hall of

Fame of Partners for Progress; and,

WHEREAS, Bishop Porter is a role model to the youth, and he is someone that should be continually

recognized for all his hard work and dedication he has for his community.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the President and Cook County Board of

Commissioners that Bishop Dr. Claude Porter is to be honored and celebrated for his 80th birthday, and

that the sincere appreciation of the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners be extended

to Bishop Dr. Claude Porter for his service to his Church and to the wider community.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this is where you ask for further action or where you ask for

ceremonial copies of your resolution to be sent to the person or organizations being memorialized.

17-1612

Sponsored by: RICHARD R. BOYKIN, TONI PRECKWINKLE (President), LUIS ARROYO JR,

JERRY BUTLER, JOHN P. DALEY, JOHN A. FRITCHEY, BRIDGET GAINER, JESÚS G. GARCÍA,

GREGG GOSLIN, EDWARD M. MOODY, STANLEY MOORE, SEAN M. MORRISON, TIMOTHY

O. SCHNEIDER, PETER N. SILVESTRI, DEBORAH SIMS, ROBERT STEELE, LARRY

SUFFREDIN and JEFFREY R. TOBOLSKI, Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

A RESOLUTION HONORING JAMELA ANTHONY IN HER FIGHT AGAINST BRAIN

CANCER

WHEREAS, Jamela Anthony was born on November 10, 2010, to her mother Tangela Watson; and

WHEREAS, at the age of five, Jamela was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer; and

WHEREAS, since her diagnosis, Jamela has undergone months of radiation therapy and a year of

chemotherapy; and

WHEREAS, despite spending much of her time in and out of the hospital, Jamela remains positive and

full of life; and

WHEREAS, Jamela’s brightness and energy have touched the hearts of her family and caregivers; and

WHEREAS, Jamela has continued to dance and joke with her family as she bravely faces this diagnosis;

and

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Board of Commissioners BOARD AGENDA February 7, 2017

WHEREAS, Jamela, with the support of her family and caregivers, will continue to courageously battle

her cancer.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the President of the Board and the Board of

Commissioners that Jamela Anthony is to be honored for her valiant fight against cancer.

17-1617

Sponsored by: LARRY SUFFREDIN, Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

IN MEMORY OF JEFF MCGRATH

WHEREAS, Jeff McGrath, award-winning journalist, pioneer in the television home shopping industry

and longtime ABC7 television executive widely credited with launching the career of Oprah Winfrey

died at the age of 73, leaving behind family, countless friends, colleagues and a community enriched for

having known him; and

WHEREAS, Jeff McGrath was a talented and influential Chicago television executive for more than

thirty years. In addition to his countless career achievements he was well-known and beloved by his

colleges as a generous mentor to generations of producers and programmers working around the country.

His wisdom and guidance helped shape the next generation of television journalists; and

WHEREAS, Jeff McGrath’s distinguished career in television management included a lengthy run as

program director at ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7. In addition to his outstanding work there he will long

be remembered for being the first to spot a young Oprah Winfrey on the demo tape of Debra DiMaio, a

producer from Baltimore he had hired for “A.M. Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Jeff McGrath served as general manager of WYCC-Channel 20, the City Colleges of

Chicago public television station, and as president and chairman of the board of Silver King

Communications, parent company of the former WEHS-Channel 60 and thirteen other home-shopping

stations. He also was president and partner of Center City Studios, a broadcast and advertising

production facility in Chicago. He is credited with the launch of Channel 60 and 14 UHF stations and

other low-power stations across the country; and

WHEREAS, Jeff McGrath was a Chicago native and graduate of Drake University. He joined ABC 7 as

a producer/promotion writer in 1967 and moved up to community affairs director, specials producer,

executive producer and assistant program director before he was named program director in 1976.

McGrath's first work on a locally produced program was as an assistant producer on "The Chicago

Show," hosted by Ronnie Barrett. In addition to others, he was credited with creating “The Prize Movie

with Ione,” a daily two-hour movie show combined with a call-in promotion; and

WHEREAS, Jeff McGrath was a pioneer in the televised home shopping industry. He was chairman of

Silver King Communications, which owned 12 Home Shopping Network stations, including WEHS-Ch.

60, which now is WXFT-TV. McGrath oversaw the launch and automation of the 12 stations as the

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Board of Commissioners BOARD AGENDA February 7, 2017

Home Shopping Network undertook a transition from cable TV to over-the-air stations. Channel 60 is

widely credited with playing a major role in establishing home shopping channels. He insured that

Channel 60 was a state-of-the-art facility; on his watch the home shopping concept grew exponentially

from nothing into a two billion dollar industry in six years; and

WHEREAS, Jeff McGrath’s exceptional work was frequently recognized by his peers; he was singled

out for distinction when he was awarded a local Emmy by the National Academy of Television Arts &

Sciences for his work as executive producer of an ABC 7 documentary on crime entitled Burglary: The

Easiest Crime in 1973; and

WHEREAS, Jeff McGrath will long be remembered for his support and promotion of unheard voices

and perspectives. He was instrumental in producing programming that served and responded to the needs

of underrepresented or marginalized groups; he brought their stories to the foreground. Above all, he

will be remembered for doing this while remaining a model of affability and collegiality; and

WHEREAS, the County of Cook has lost a great friend in Jeff McGrath. He will be sorely missed by his

friends, neighbors and colleagues. His loss will be felt most acutely by his wife Joan and son Andrew;

and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on

behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County commemorates the exceptional life of Jeff McGrath

and herewith expresses its sincere gratitude for the invaluable and innumerable contributions he has

made to the Citizens of Cook County, Illinois; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official

proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to the family of

Jeff McGrath.

17-1618

Sponsored by: LARRY SUFFREDIN, Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

HONORING THE OUTSTANDING SERVICE OF GEORGE MITCHELL, OUTGOING

PRESIDENT OF THE NAACP EVANSTON/NORTH SHORE BRANCH

WHEREAS, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the oldest

and largest" United States grassroots based civil rights organization; founded February 12, 1909, by a

diverse multi-racial group of activists of varying political and religious backgrounds, including Ida

Wells-Barnett, W.E.B. DuBois, Henry Moscowitz, Mary White Ovington, Oswald Garrison Villiard and

William English Walling. They were all committed to the cause of equality; and

WHEREAS, the local branch, Evanston/North Shore NAACP, was formed in 1915 and is a vital and

proud organization that is both well respected and admired for their work pursuing the mission and

objectives of the NAACP. For over a century, Evanston/North Shore NAACP has been a major force for

Page 9 of 14

Board of Commissioners BOARD AGENDA February 7, 2017

good in the community; achieving political, educational, social and economic equality and working to

eliminate race prejudice. They continue to be a voice for change and have a long list of victories

breaking down barriers and creating meaningful change fighting for equity in education, social justice,

and fair housing; and

WHEREAS, on Sunday January 22, 2017 the members of the Evanston/North Shore branch of the

NAACP celebrated outgoing President George Mitchell. Community leaders joined chapter members in

congratulating him for a job well done at an event held at the Unitarian Church of Evanston; and

WHEREAS, throughout his many years of service, George Mitchell has represented the best qualities of

citizenship and humanity through his tireless work breaking down barriers. He is widely acknowledged

for his work on local redistricting and his work forging relationships with law enforcement. The

NAACP honored him as Region Three State Conference President of the Year and he was selected

Evanston Branch “Man of the Year.” He was also honored by the North Shore Board of Realtors who

presented him with their “Humanitarian Award”; and

WHEREAS, under George Mitchell’s careful guidance the Evanston/North Branch flourished. The

political action committee worked tirelessly to insure voting strength; he encouraged all members of the

executive committee to become deputy registrars. He was a tireless promoter of voter registration and he

created the school board candidate forum which was featured on local television. While he was

president, the Housing Committee of the Evanston/North Branch NAACP sponsored high impact

community seminars which focused on discrimination, predatory lending and affordable housing. He

will long be remembered for forming the legal redress committee which investigates discrimination. He

is widely respected and oftentimes, he was able to remedy a case of housing discrimination through the

quiet strength and power of his gravitas; a letter to the landlord was all that it took; and

WHEREAS, George Mitchel is a Life Member of the NAACP and was Illinois State Conference

President from 2011 to 2015 and is a candidate for the National Board; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on

behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County takes great pleasure in honoring and celebrating

George Mitchell for his outstanding work as President of the NAACP in Evanston; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official

proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to the George

Mitchell.

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Board of Commissioners BOARD AGENDA February 7, 2017

17-1619

Sponsored by: LARRY SUFFREDIN, Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

HONORING THE INSTALLATION OF REVEREND DOCTOR MICHAEL C.R. NABORS AS

THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE NAACP ON JANUARY 22, 2017