Dennis Deer facts for kids

Dennis Deer (born August 7, 1972 – died June 23, 2024) was an American politician. He served as a Cook County Commissioner for the 2nd district from 2017 until his death. He represented many areas in Chicago. These included parts of the Loop, Near West Side, North Lawndale, and Englewood. He was a member of the Democratic Party.

Early Life and Work

Dennis Deer grew up in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago. He went to Collins High School in Chicago. After high school, he studied at Jackson State University. There, he earned degrees in education and psychology. Later, he received a Ph.D. in Christian psychology.

Dennis became interested in helping people with their mental health. This interest grew after he had a difficult experience at age 10. He also became a licensed counselor. He earned other certifications to help people with their thoughts and behaviors.

After college, Dennis returned to Chicago. He started Deer Rehabilitation Services. This company helped people, especially those who had been in trouble with the law. He also helped create the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council. This group worked to improve the North Lawndale community.

Dennis also completed special business programs. These programs helped him learn how to grow his company. In 2018, he became a Vice-President at the Lawndale Christian Legal Center. This group provides legal help to young people. They focus on helping people make things right after a mistake.

Political Career

Early Steps in Politics

Dennis Deer first ran for office in 2003. He wanted to be an Alderman for the 24th ward in Chicago. He came in third place in that election. In 2007, he tried to run for a local Democratic Party position but later withdrew.

Dennis worked closely with Cook County Commissioner Robert Steele. He led Steele's fundraising group and saw Steele as a mentor. He also chaired a group that worked to stop violence in the community. This group was created with U.S. Representative Danny K. Davis.

Becoming a Commissioner in 2017

Commissioner Robert Steele passed away in June 2017. A special committee was formed to choose his replacement. This committee was made up of local Democratic leaders. They needed to pick someone to finish Steele's term.

Dennis Deer was one of 13 candidates who applied. He received support from the committee chairman and the Steele family. The Steele family's support was very important. This was because Robert Steele and his mother had held the commissioner seat for a long time.

Dennis won over the committee because he had lived in the community his whole life. He also promised to continue Robert Steele's work. After several rounds of voting, Dennis Deer was chosen unanimously.

Running for Election in 2018

In 2018, Dennis Deer ran for his first full term as Cook County Commissioner. He won the Democratic Party's nomination in March. He faced four other candidates in that election. Dennis said his main goals were smart spending, growing the economy, improving healthcare, and keeping people safe.

He received support from many important leaders and newspapers. These included U.S. Representative Danny Davis and the Chicago Sun-Times. After winning the primary election, Dennis ran unopposed in the general election. This means he was the only candidate. He was sworn in for his full term in December 2018.

As Cook County Commissioner

Key Actions and Work

Sweetened Beverage Tax Soon after Dennis became Commissioner, the Board of Commissioners voted on a tax. This tax was on sugary drinks. Dennis first supported the tax, but later voted to remove it. The tax was successfully repealed in October 2017.

Working for Fairness In July 2019, the Board of Commissioners passed a resolution Dennis supported. This resolution stated that racism and unfairness in society were a public health crisis in Cook County. The goal was to improve health support for everyone. It aimed to reduce health differences between different groups of people.

In July 2020, Dennis and other Commissioners called for a "Justice for Black Lives" resolution. They wanted to move money from the justice system to programs that help people. This resolution passed with a large majority. Also in 2020, Commissioners Deer and Moore worked together. They made Juneteenth a holiday in Cook County. This measure passed unanimously.

2020 Census Dennis Deer helped lead the Cook County team for the 2020 United States Census. The census counts everyone in the country. He worked to make sure everyone in Cook County was counted. This helps the county get fair representation and government money for things like social services and roads. He even hosted an event to encourage people to fill out the census.

Housing Support Dennis supported the Just Housing Amendment. This rule passed in April 2019. It stopped landlords from refusing housing applications based on old arrest records. It also required landlords to look closely at recent convictions. Dennis championed this because he was a landlord and worked with people who had been in prison. He believed people should not be punished forever for past mistakes.

Committee Roles

As a Commissioner, Dennis Deer served on many important committees. These committees help make decisions for Cook County. He was the Chairman of the Environment and Sustainability, Health and Hospitals, and Human Relations committees. He also served on committees for the Forest Preserve District Board.

• Cook County Board of Commissioners committee memberships
  • Asset Management
  • Business and Economic Development
  • Criminal Justice
  • Contract Compliance
  • Emergency Management and Regional Security
  • Environment and Sustainability (Chairman)
  • Finance
  • Health and Hospitals (Chairman)
  • Human Relations (Chairman)
  • Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations
  • Rules and Administration
  • Technology and Innovation
  • Transportation
  • Veterans
  • Zoning and Building
• Cook County Forest Preserve District Board committee memberships
  • Botanic Garden
  • Capital Development
  • Contract Compliance
  • Environment and Sustainability (Vice Chairman)
  • Finance (Vice Chairman)
  • Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations
  • Real Estate
  • Recreation
  • Rules
  • Zoological

Personal Life

Dennis Deer was married to Barbara, and they had three children. He was also a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

Health and Passing

Dennis had a rare condition called situs inversus. This meant his internal organs were in opposite positions. In 2022, he got COVID-19. After that, he had other health problems, including lung issues. The next year, he had a double lung transplant.

Dennis Deer passed away on June 23, 2024, at the age of 51.