Karen Yarbrough
 |
Karen Yarbrough | |
|---|---|
.png) Yarbrough in 2013 | |
| Chair of the Illinois Democratic Party | |
Acting | |
| In office February 22, 2021 – March 3, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Madigan |
| Succeeded by | Robin Kelly |
| Clerk of Cook County | |
| In office December 3, 2018 – April 7, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | David Orr |
| Cook County Recorder of Deeds | |
| In office December 2012 – December 3, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Eugene Moore |
| Succeeded by | Edward Moody |
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 7th district | |
| In office January 2001 – December 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Wanda Sharp |
| Succeeded by | Cory Foster |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 22, 1950 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Died | April 7, 2024 (Age 73) Chicago, Illinois |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Henderson Yarbrough |
| Education | Chicago State University (BA) Northeastern Illinois University (MA) |
Karen Yarbrough was an American politician and served as Cook County Clerk. Elected on November 6, 2018, she was the first female and African American to hold the position.[1] Yarbrough previously served as Cook County Recorder of Deeds from 2012 to 2018 and as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 2001 to 2013. She became the interim Chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois after long-time chair Michael Madigan resigned from the position on February 22, 2021.[2] She held the position until her death on April 7, 2024.[3]
Education and career
Yarbrough earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University, a master’s in Inner City Studies from Northeastern Illinois University and attended nondegree executive education at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. Yarbrough was the founder and CEO of Hathaway Insurance Agency, where she worked for thirty years.
Community involvement
Yarbrough has served as president of the Maywood Chamber of Commerce, and on the boards of United Way of Suburban Chicago and the Oak Park YMCA.
State representative
In 1998, Yarbrough unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Eugene Moore in the Democratic primary for the 7th district seat in the Illinois House of Representatives.[4]
Yarbrough ran again for the 7th district seat in the Illinois House of Representatives again in 2000, this time succeeding, unseating incumbent Wanda Sharp in the Democratic primary and winning the general election. Her term began in January, 2001, and she was later appointed an assistant majority leader.[5][6] She served on several house committees (Housing and Urban Development (Chairwoman); House Insurance Committee (Vice-Chairwoman); Environmental Health Committee; Appropriations: Public Safety, Computer Technology) and was a member of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, and the Governor’s Safety and Re-Entry Commission.
Cook County Recorder of Deeds
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Cook County Clerk
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Vice chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois
Yarbrough serves as vice-chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois.[7]
Yarbrough is regarded as an ally of former state party chairman Michael Madigan.[7]
Personal life and death
Yarbrough's father, Don Williams, is an insurance agent and former village president of the Village of Maywood. She is married to Henderson Yarbrough, Sr., a current Maywood village trustee and former Maywood village president. They have seven grandchildren.
On April 7, 2024, Yarbrough died after being hospitalized with an undisclosed illness.[8]
References
- ^ "Karen Yarbrough".
- ^ "Madigan Resigns as Chair of State Democratic Party". WMAQ-TV. February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- ^ Stefanski, Matt (April 7, 2024). "Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough dies following hospitalization, spokesperson confirms". NBC Chicago. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
- ^ "Election Vote Totals Results". www.elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
- ^ Murphy, Peter M. (February 2001). "92nd General Assembly Convenes with Active Schedule". Illinois Issues. Sangamon State University. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
- ^ clerk's office posted bio sign 15may2019
- ^ a b Pratt, Gregory (4 December 2018). "Former Cook County commissioner, House Speaker Madigan ally appointed recorder of deeds". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
- ^ Lewis, Sean; Smith, Andrew (April 7, 2024). "Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough dies at 73". WGN 9. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
External links
- Representative Karen A. Yarbrough official website
- Illinois General Assembly - Representative Karen A. Yarbrough (D) 7th District official IL House website
- Project Vote Smart - Representative Karen A. Yarbrough (IL) profile
- Follow the Money - Karen Yarbrough
- Illinois House Democrats - Karen A. Yarbrough profile
- 1950 births
- 21st-century American legislators
- 21st-century American women politicians
- American anti–death penalty activists
- Chicago State University alumni
- Cook County Clerks
- Cook County Recorders of Deeds
- Living people
- Democratic Party members of the Illinois House of Representatives
- Northeastern Illinois University alumni
- People from Maywood, Illinois
- Politicians from Washington, D.C.
- Women state legislators in Illinois
- 21st-century Illinois politicians