Title
Special recognition honoring Vice-Chair Dr. Mary Ross Cunningham for her years of service to Lake County.
Body
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
WHEREAS, Vice-Chair Dr. Mary Ross Cunningham devoted her life to serving others through compassion, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the residents of Lake County, leaving an enduring legacy of leadership, advocacy, and public service; and
WHEREAS, after a distinguished career spanning twenty-nine years caring for our nation's veterans at the Veterans Administration Hospital in North Chicago, Vice-Chair Dr. Ross Cunningham continued her life of service through elected office, bringing the same compassion, dedication, and steadfast commitment to every resident she represented; and
WHEREAS, first elected to the Lake County Board in 2002 to represent District 9, encompassing portions of Waukegan and North Chicago, she faithfully served the residents of Lake County for more than twenty-three years, becoming one of the longest-serving members in the history of the Lake County Board; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of her exceptional leadership, wisdom, and the respect she earned from her colleagues, she was elected Vice-Chair of the Lake County Board, becoming the first African American to serve in Board leadership and only the second African American woman elected to the Lake County Board, inspiring future generations of public servants by breaking barriers with grace and determination; and
WHEREAS, throughout her tenure, Vice-Chair Dr. Ross Cunningham provided thoughtful leadership on numerous committees and boards, serving as the longtime Chair of the Law and Judicial Committee, Chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, member of the Health and Community Services Committee, Public Building Commission, Housing and Community Development Commission, Governing Council of the Lake County Health Department, Workforce Development Board, and as Lake County's representative to the National Association of Counties, where she championed issues supporting veterans, workforce development, and people experiencing homelessness across Lake County; and
WHEREAS, Vice-Chair Dr. Ross Cunningham was a tireless advocate for fairness, justice, and opportunity, successfully leading efforts to establish Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a fixed holiday for Lake County employees, supporting initiatives to restore driver's licenses for eligible residents, and working relentlessly to expand access to affordable housing, quality healthcare, economic opportunity, and services for individuals experiencing homelessness; and
WHEREAS, Vice-Chair Dr. Ross Cunningham’s service extended far beyond County government through her leadership and volunteerism with the Waukegan Housing Authority, Community Action Partnership, PADS Lake County, and countless civic and charitable organizations; and
WHEREAS, Vice-Chair Dr. Ross Cunningham's leadership was defined not only by her accomplishments, but by the compassion with which she led, the dignity she extended to every person she encountered, and her firm belief that government exists to serve all people with fairness, respect, and humanity; and
WHEREAS, Vice-Chair Dr. Ross Cunningham was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, mentor, colleague, and friend whose warmth, wisdom, fearless persistence, and uncompromising efforts touched countless lives, leaving an indelible mark upon Lake County and the people she so faithfully served;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RECOGNIZED, that the Chair and Members of the Lake County Board hereby honor and celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Vice-Chair Dr. Mary Ross Cunningham, whose decades of distinguished public service transformed lives, strengthened communities, and advanced justice and opportunity throughout Lake County.
BE IT FURTHER RECOGNIZED, that the Lake County Board expresses our deepest gratitude for Vice-Chair Dr. Ross Cunningham's remarkable contributions to Lake County and extends our heartfelt condolences to Mayor Sam Cunningham, Emerson, Jackie, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, the entire Cunningham family, and all who had the privilege of knowing and serving alongside her.
BE IT FINALLY RECOGNIZED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that Vice-Chair Dr. Mary Ross Cunningham's example will continue to inspire generations of leaders to serve with courage, compassion, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the people of Lake County. Her legacy will forever remain woven into the history of Lake County, and her memory shall continue to be a guiding light for all who follow in her footsteps.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on July 14, 2026.