Meet the Candidates — Robert Steele

NACo Second Vice President Candidate Statement

Robert Steele

Commissioner, Cook County, Ill.

It is my distinct honor to be a candidate for 2nd vice president of the National Association of Counties (NACo).

I have a strong, 20-year history with NACo.  I began attending the organization’s conferences as a volunteer, then as an elected official, and currently serve as a national Board member. I chose to join the organization more than two decades ago because I believe that NACo is a catalyst for change where government leaders can advocate, with a collective voice, on national policies, exchange ideas and build leadership skills, all while pursuing cost-effective solutions to running county enterprises.

I have always strived to make an impact within the organization, and one I am proudest of is serving as chairman of    NACo’s 457 Deferred Compensation Plan task force. Since 2012, our pension fund has grown from $12.2 billion to $15.3 billion.  I also took a leadership role in developing and implementing our organization’s Minority Inclusion Plan. 

I currently serve on the NACo Financial Services Committee and am a delegate to the NACo U.S. Communities program. I have been a member of the NACo Next Gen Committee since its inception and currently am a champion for the NACo Stepping Up Program, advocating on behalf of mental health patients housed in county jails.   I am also an advocate of the Property Accessed Clean Energy Program.

My goal, should I be elected as 2nd vice president of NACo, is to ensure that I represent and address the concerns and issues of our members. I will focus on enriching the public’s understanding of county government, and most importantly in my decision-making I will adhere to my personal motto, “be a part of the solution, not the problem.”

In terms of growing NACo’s membership, I am a proponent of educating municipalities across the country, as well as the business and private sector, on the accomplishments NACo has made on their behalf. I will be on the front lines to create awareness and educate others about the contributions of NACo, and that includes being in touch with our many regional organizations.   I was pleased to recently attend our Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference in Jackson Hole, Wyo. and have plans to visit other regional events leading up to our national conference.  I particularly want to thank our regional organizations for extending these invitations.

Community is extremely important to me, and as such I am on the boards of the Third Gear Youth Leadership Fund, 100 Black Men of Chicago, Keep Chicago Beautiful and the Chicago Jobs Council. I also work with the Woodstock Institute’s Low Income Bank Lending Steering Committee, the Chicago Empowerment Zone, the Westside Association for Community Action, and I am the chairman of the North Lawndale Development Corporation and a member of the advisory board of Chicago Children’s Advisory Council for kids impacted by domestic violence.  I have been honored to be the recipient of a number of awards including from the “Stepping Up Initiative” for my work in reducing unnecessary incarceration of the mentally ill.  This year I received the Mayor Harold Washington Legacy Award presented by the Harold Washington Cultural Center and The James Major Adams Award presented at their 2016 Scholarship Gala. 

Personally, I am a strong proponent of the Affordable Care Act.  I am a kidney transplant recipient and an amputee from issues related to diabetes.  I have fought to overcome each of these issues, and today live a strong, productive life, always working to give to others who are less fortunate.  Today I serve on the boards of three local hospitals — Sinai Health System, Holy Cross and Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital. I also serve on the board of Gift of Hope Organ Transplant Organization.

My platform for our organization will encompass significant areas including:

• Clean Energy Policies
• ADA Compliance
• Economic Development (Urban and Rural)
• Mental Health intervention
• Health Care
• Education
• Restorative Justice

Key areas of focus for our organizations’ officers, executive committee and board of directors include:

• Developing economic policies that foster job creation across the country;
• Developing partnerships with law enforcement that stem the tide of violence in urban communities;
• Fostering reductions in energy consumption and helping counties reduce their overall environmental footprint; 
• Growing the NACo membership and sphere of influence. 

I would be honored to use my time, talent and treasure to further the growth of NACo, and I would welcome your support and vote as I seek this important office.