Dennis Deer Explained

Dennis Deer
Office:Member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners
from the 2nd district
Term Start:July 13, 2017
Term End:June 23, 2024
Predecessor:Robert Steele
Birth Date:7 August 1972
Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Spouse:Barbara Deer
Children:3
Education:Jackson State University (BA, MS)
Agape Theological Institute (PhD)

Dennis Deer (August 7, 1972 – June 23, 2024) was an American politician who served as the Cook County Commissioner for the 2nd district from 2017 until his death. He represented many neighborhoods in Chicago, including portions of the Loop, Near West Side, Near South Side, North Lawndale, Englewood, and Washington Park community areas. He was a member of the Democratic Party.

Early life and career

Deer was born on August 7, 1972, and raised in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago.[1] He attended Collins High School in Chicago.[2] After high school, he left the Chicago area to attend Jackson State University and obtained his Bachelor of Science in elementary/special education and Master of Science in rehabilitation psychology.[3] Deer became interested in studying behavioral health after witnessing a murder at the age of 10 and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.[4] He later obtained his Ph.D. in Christian psychology from Agape Theological Institute.[3] He also earned certifications as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, forensic counselor, rehabilitation counselor, corrective thinking therapist, and Illinois law enforcement standards and training instructor.[5]

Deer returned to Chicago after university and founded Deer Rehabilitation Services, a therapy services provider in North Lawndale with a specialty in rehabilitating ex-offenders.[5] [6] He also co-founded and served on the executive committee of the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council, a group of community stakeholders working to guide comprehensive planning and implementation in North Lawndale.[6] [7] In his capacity as president of Deer Rehabilitation Services, Deer graduated from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and the Chicago Urban League nextONE business acceleration program.[8] [9]

In 2018, Deer became the Vice-President of Organizational Health and Management for the Lawndale Christian Legal Center, a nonprofit provider of holistic legal services to people 24 years or younger that utilizes restorative justice.[10] [11] As of 2020, Deer was also a landlord.

Political career

Early political involvement

In 2003, Deer ran for 24th ward Alderman in Chicago against two-term incumbent, Michael Chandler.[12] [13] After failing to challenge the nomination papers of Chandler, Deer went on to come in third place behind Alderman Chandler and Joe Ann Bradley, a co-founder of Citizen's Action Group which worked towards eliminating prostitution in North Lawndale.[12] [14]

In 2007, Deer filed to run for 24th ward Democratic Committeeman in the 2008 primary, but withdrew as a candidate after facing a challenge to his nominating papers.[6] [15]

Deer served as the president of County Commissioner Robert Steele's fundraising committee until Steele's death in 2017 and considered Steele to be a mentor. He was also the chairman of an anti-violence task force that Steele's 2nd County District Community Advisory Council created with U.S. Representative Danny K. Davis.[6]

2017 appointment

2nd district Cook County Commissioner Robert Steele died on June 19, 2017, due to complications related to diabetes.[16] On July 13, 2017, a committee chaired by 24th ward Alderman and Democratic Committeeman, Michael Scott Jr., and made up of the Chicago Democratic ward committeepeople for all wards that made up the 2nd district was convened to select Steele's replacement to fill the rest of his term. Votes for the successor were weighted based on how many constituents of each ward committeeperson were also a constituent of the 2nd district.[6] [17] [18]

Deer and 12 other candidates applied, including 20th ward Democratic Committeeman Kevin Bailey (a member of the selection committee), Reyahd Kazmi (the husband of City Clerk Anna M. Valencia), and State Representative and future City Treasurer Melissa Conyears. Conyears was also the wife of a selection committee member, 28th ward Alderman and Democratic Committeeman Jason Ervin. After appearing as a candidate, Conyears ultimately left prior to interviewing.[6] [17] [18]

Deer received endorsements from the chairman of the replacement committee, Alderman Scott Jr., and from the Steele family. The Steele family endorsement carried weight as Robert Steele had held the seat since 2006 and before that his mother, Bobbie L. Steele, held the seat from 1986–2006.[6] [17] Deer won over the committee as a life-long community member who could build on the work of Robert Steele. As the former president of Steele's fundraising committee, he said "We already know how to raise money. We know how to win elections and we're ready to hit ground running." After three rounds of voting, Deer won the fourth and final round unanimously.[6] [18]

2018 campaign

In 2018, Deer ran to be elected to his first full term as 2nd district Cook County Commissioner. Deer won the Democratic nomination in the March 20 Democratic primary, in which he faced four opponents. Deer stated that his priorities were "Fiscal Responsibility, Economic Development, Healthcare, and Public Safety."[1] His opponents included Eddie Johnson III, a Chicago Public Schools educator, Paul J. Montes II, attorney and entrepreneur, Lupe Aguirre, a Chicago police officer and attorney, and Darryl D. Smith, community volunteer.[19] [20] [21] [22] During the primary campaign, Deer was endorsed by U.S. Representative Danny Davis, Alderman Michael Scott Jr., Alderman David Moore, former Cook County Board President and 2nd district Commissioner Bobbie Steele, the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune.[23] [24] [25]

After winning the primary, Deer won the November 6, 2018, general election unopposed. He was sworn in for his first full term on December 3, 2018.[26]

Cook County Commissioner

Tenure

2017 sweetened beverage tax repeal

Shortly after Deer took office, the Board of Commissioners considered the repeal of the controversial penny-an-ounce tax on sugar- and artificially sweetened beverages that was supported by President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners Toni Preckwinkle. After initially supporting the tax at the time of his appointment, Deer ultimately voted for the successful repeal of the tax on October 11, 2017.[27] [28]

Racial justice

On July 25, 2019, the Board of Commissioners passed Deer's resolution declaring racism and racial inequalities a public health crisis in Cook County. The resolution was intended to encourage growth in public health support networks to work towards decreases in racial disparities in health outcomes. Supporters of the bill believed it was important since communities of color are disproportionately affected by things such as exposure to lead, poor air quality, a lack of safe spaces, and inadequate health education.[29] [30]

On July 7, 2020, Deer along with fellow Commissioners Deborah Sims, Stanley Moore, Brandon Johnson, Bill Lowry and Donna Miller released a statement calling for passage of the Justice for Black Lives resolution. In referring to the changes demanded by recent Black Lives Matter protests the statement said, "As Black members of the Cook County Board we are determined to be the catalyst for that transformation in our county and beyond. The first step in that process is passage of the Justice for Black Lives Resolution, which would seek to redirect funds from our criminal justice system into systems and programs that support human needs and promote the health and welfare of the Black community." The non-binding resolution passed in a 15–1 vote on July 30, 2020.[31] [32] In July 2020, Commissioners Deer and Moore withdrew their separate resolutions and combined their resolutions to make Juneteenth a holiday in Cook County. The measure was unanimously passed in December 2020.

2020 census

Deer served as one of the Vice-Chairs of the Cook County Complete Count Census Commission for the 2020 United States Census. In this capacity, he worked to help ensure everyone in Cook County was properly counted to make sure Cook County receives proper legislative representation and government funding in areas such as social services and infrastructure. On August 18, 2020, Deer co-hosted an event in Englewood giving out prizes to those who filled out the census with Alderman Stephanie Coleman and various local organizations.[33] [34]

Housing

Deer supported the Just Housing Amendment that was passed by the Board of Commissioners on April 25, 2019, and went into effect January 1, 2020. The amendment prohibited landlords from denying housing applications based on arrest records or convictions that are more than 3 years old and required an individualized assessment of convictions less than 3 years old for otherwise qualified applicants.[35] Deer decided he wanted to champion this issue as someone who is both a landlord and works with ex-incarcerated men and women.[36] He stated, "There's no room for double jeopardy. People should not be required to pay over and over and over again for a crime they committed when they were 19."[37]

Committee assignments

As a member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, Deer served on multiple committees of both the Board of Commissioners and the Forest Preserve District Board.[38]

Cook County Board of Commissioners committee memberships

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board committee memberships

Personal life

Deer and his wife, Barbara, had three children. He was also a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.[3]

Health and death

Deer had situs inversus, meaning his visceral organs were reversed from their normal locations.[39] In 2022, he was diagnosed with COVID-19, and experienced a number of health complications around this time, including polymyositis and interstitial lung disease.[39] The following year, he underwent a double lung transplant.[39]

Deer died on June 23, 2024, at the age of 51.[40]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Dennis Deer: Candidate for Cook County Commissioner, 2nd district. Palmore . Rebecca . Nick . Blumberg . October 9, 2018 . WTTW. Chicago, Illinois . September 28, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190727162141/https://news.wttw.com/2018/10/09/dennis-deer-candidate-cook-county-commissioner-2nd-district. July 27, 2019. live.
  2. News: Gillis . Michael . April 1, 1989 . Students exhibit curiosity, all in the name of science . . . September 30, 2020 . NewsBank.
  3. Web site: About Commissioner Dennis Deer. September 28, 2020. FRIENDS OF DENNIS DEER. https://web.archive.org/web/20200928202257/https://www.commissionerdeer.com/commissioner-deer-1. September 28, 2020. live.
  4. News: Cook County Board 2nd District Democratic candidate: Dennis Deer. March 11, 2018. Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago, Illinois. September 30, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200930193214/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/3/11/18482093/cook-county-board-2nd-district-democratic-candidate-dennis-deer. September 30, 2020. live.
  5. Web site: About Dennis Deer. September 28, 2020. Chicago Ideas. https://web.archive.org/web/20200928204519/https://www.chicagoideas.com/speakers/dennis-deer. September 28, 2020. live.
  6. News: Late Robert Steele's replacement named. Studenkov. Igor. July 13, 2017. Austin Weekly. Chicago, Illinois. September 28, 2020. September 28, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200928205608/https://www.austinweeklynews.com/News/Articles/7-13-2017/Late-Robert-Steele%27s-replacement-named-/. live.
  7. Web site: About NLCCC. February 13, 2016 . September 28, 2020. NLCCC. https://web.archive.org/web/20200928212003/https://nlcccplanning.org/home-3/about-us/who-we-are/. September 28, 2020. live.
  8. News: Morning Joe looks at the 10,000 Small Businesses program. June 12, 2012 . MSNBC. September 30, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200930194734/http://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/morning-joe-looks-the-10000-small. September 30, 2020. live.
  9. News: nextOne graduates take next step to entrepreneurship. March 31, 2009 . The Chicago Defender. September 30, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200930195045/https://chicagodefender.com/nextone-graduates-take-next-step-to-entrepreneurship/. September 30, 2020. live.
  10. Web site: Dr. Dennis Deer. September 30, 2020. Lawndale Christian Legal Center. https://web.archive.org/web/20200930045550/https://lclc.net/our-team/dr-dennis-deer/. September 30, 2020. live.
  11. Web site: Lawndale Christian Legal Center. September 30, 2020. Obama Foundation. https://web.archive.org/web/20200722160518/https://www.obama.org/mbka2/our-work/communities/lawndale-christian-legal-center/. July 22, 2020. live.
  12. News: More council endorsements. February 12, 2003. Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. September 29, 2020. April 5, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230405221649/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2003-02-12-0302120131-story.html. live.
  13. News: Brown: Ex-Ald. Chandler dies 2 years after retiring to Arizona. Brown . Mark . March 29, 2017 . Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago, Illinois. September 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200929185505/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2017/3/29/18358646/brown-ex-ald-chandler-dies-2-years-after-retiring-to-arizona. September 29, 2020. live.
  14. Web site: Objections of Dennis Deer. September 29, 2020. Chicago Board of Elections. https://web.archive.org/web/20200929190958/https://app.chicagoelections.com/documents/Electoral-Board/document_2682.PDF. September 29, 2020. live.
  15. Web site: Objections of Melvin Delk and Larry Nelson. September 29, 2020. Chicago Board of Elections. https://web.archive.org/web/20200929192007/https://app.chicagoelections.com/documents/Electoral-Board/document_3131.pdf. September 29, 2020. live.
  16. News: Cook County Commissioner Robert Steele dies. Armentrout. Mitchell. Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago, Illinois. June 19, 2017. June 20, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20190825023744/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2017/6/19/18320277/cook-county-commissioner-robert-steele-dies. August 25, 2019. live.
  17. News: Dennis Deer Named To Fill County Board Seat After Commissioner Dies. Cherone . Heather . July 13, 2017. DNAinfo. Chicago, Illinois. September 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190416115127/https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20170713/north-lawndale/robert-steele-cook-county-commissioner-replacement-dennis-deer/. April 16, 2019. live.
  18. News: Democrats pick West Sider over city clerk's husband for Cook County Board seat. July 13, 2017. Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. September 30, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190826111756/https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-cook-county-board-steele-replacement-met-0714-20170713-story.html. August 26, 2019. live.
  19. News: Lupe Aguirre: Candidate for Cook County Commissioner, 2nd district. Blumberg. Nick. February 19, 2018. WTTW. Chicago, Illinois. September 29, 2020. August 12, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200812133054/https://news.wttw.com/2018/02/19/lupe-aguirre-candidate-cook-county-commissioner-2nd-district. live.
  20. News: Cook County Board 2nd district Democratic candidate: Paul J. Montes II. March 11, 2018. Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago, Illinois. September 29, 2020. November 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201109032913/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/3/11/18408511/cook-county-board-2nd-district-democratic-candidate-paul-j-montes-ii. live.
  21. News: Cook County Board 2nd district Democratic candidate: Eddie Johnson III. March 11, 2018. Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago, Illinois. September 29, 2020. November 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201109041453/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/3/11/18367860/cook-county-board-2nd-district-democratic-candidate-eddie-johnson-iii. live.
  22. News: Cook County Board 2nd district Democratic candidate: Darryl D. Smith. March 11, 2018. Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago, Illinois. September 29, 2020. November 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201109042854/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/3/11/18469256/cook-county-board-2nd-district-democratic-candidate-darryl-d-smith. live.
  23. News: Endorsements for Cook County Board. March 5, 2018. Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. September 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190612103451/https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-cook-county-board-endorse-20180219-story.html. June 12, 2019. live.
  24. News: ENDORSEMENT: Dennis Deer for Cook Co. commissioner, 2nd Dist. Democratic primary. March 3, 2018. Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago, Illinois. September 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200929215945/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/3/3/18368036/endorsement-dennis-deer-for-cook-co-commissioner-2nd-dist-democratic-primary. September 29, 2020. live.
  25. News: Morning Spin: Can you match running mates to their Democratic governor hopefuls? Take the quiz. September 1, 2017. Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. September 30, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200930184112/https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-illinois-democrats-running-mate-quiz-20170901-story.html. September 30, 2020. live.
  26. News: Cook County Board, Preckwinkle sworn in. Hinton. Rachel. December 3, 2018. Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago, Illinois. September 30, 2020. September 30, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200930185843/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/12/3/18444830/cook-county-board-preckwinkle-sworn-in. live.
  27. News: Soda tax: How the board voted last time, where they stand now. October 6, 2017. Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. September 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200212021644/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-soda-tax-repeal-vote-htmlstory.html. February 12, 2020. live.
  28. News: Soda tax goes flat in Chicago area's Cook County after clash over health, taxes, sales. Bomey . Nathan . October 11, 2017 . USA Today. September 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200226011212/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/10/11/soda-tax-fizzles-out-chicago-area-after-clash-over-health-taxes-sales/753600001/. February 26, 2020. live.
  29. News: Cook County Board of Commissioners Pass Resolution Declaring Racism and Racial Inequalities a Public Health Crisis in Cook County. August 1, 2019 . Lawndale News. September 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190802164753/http://www.lawndalenews.com/2019/08/cook-county-board-of-commissioners-pass-resolution-declaring-racism-and-racial-inequalities-a-public-health-crisis-in-cook-county/. August 2, 2019. live.
  30. Web site: The Great Unequalizer. September 10, 2020 . September 28, 2020. Chicago Health. https://web.archive.org/web/20200929230607/https://chicagohealthonline.com/the-great-unequalizer/. September 29, 2020. live.
  31. News: Cook County Board Resolves To Redirect Dollars Away From Jails And Policing, Calling It A 'Failed System'. Nitkin . Alex. July 31, 2020 . Block Club Chicago. Chicago, Illinois. September 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200918191602/https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/07/31/cook-county-board-resolves-to-redirect-dollars-away-from-jails-and-policing-calling-it-a-failed-system/. September 18, 2020. live.
  32. News: Commissioners urge passage of Justice for Black Lives resolution. July 7, 2020. Windy City Times. Chicago, Illinois. September 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200716122419/http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Commissioners-urge-passage-of-Justice-for-Black-Lives-resolution-/68854.html. July 16, 2020. live.
  33. News: Get Free Swag When You Fill Out The Census In Englewood Tuesday. Nesbitt Golden . Jamie. August 17, 2020 . Block Club Chicago. Chicago, Illinois. September 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200817181555/https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/08/17/get-free-swag-when-you-fill-out-the-census-in-englewood-tuesday/. August 17, 2020. live.
  34. News: Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer breaks down importance of 2020 Census . Shaw . A.R.. February 10, 2020 . Rolling Out. Chicago, Illinois. September 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200603153950/https://rollingout.com/2020/02/10/cook-county-commissioner-dennis-deer-breaks-down-importance-of-2020-census/. June 3, 2020. live.
  35. Web site: Just Housing Amendment to the Human Rights Ordinance. September 30, 2020. Cook County Government. https://web.archive.org/web/20200807095441/https://www.cookcountyil.gov/content/just-housing-amendment-human-rights-ordinance. August 7, 2020. live.
  36. Sylvia Snowden . July 27, 2020 . Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer . Video Interview . September 30, 2020 . https://archive.org/details/730180 . July 27, 2020 . . Chicago Access Network Television.
  37. News: Cook County makes it illegal to refuse to show or rent property to people with certain criminal records. April 25, 2019. Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. September 30, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200217062428/https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-met-housing-ordinance-arrest-record-20190425-story.html. February 17, 2020. live.
  38. Web site: Cook County Board of Commissioners – Dennis Deer. September 28, 2020. Cook County Government. September 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200926033454/https://www.cookcountyil.gov/person/dennis-deer. live.
  39. News: Northwestern Medicine surgeons perform rare 'flipped organ' double lung transplants for 2, including county commissioner. Armentrout. Mitchell. August 7, 2023. June 24, 2024. Chicago Sun-Times. May 14, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240514000931/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/8/7/23820501/double-lung-transplant-flipped-organs-dennis-deer-northwestern-medicine-situs-inversus. live.
  40. News: Cook Co. Commissioner Dennis Deer dies, family announces. WLS-TV. June 24, 2024. June 24, 2024.

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