Bobbie L. Steele (born October 18, 1937)[1] was sworn in as the 32nd president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners on August 1, 2006.
[2] She had been commissioner for the 2nd district of Cook County, Illinois for 20 years and served out the remainder of the current presidential term through December 4, 2006.
In 1986, after an urging from the late Mayor Harold Washington, Steele decided on a career change and ran successfully for the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
Early in her career, Steele had a vision to establish an on-site daycare center for county employees.
More recently, Steele introduced the Cook County Re-Entry Employment Project Ordinance.
This ordinance is designed to provide jobs for adults who are first time non-violent offenders through Cook County government.