Dennis Deer was an American politician who served as the Cook County Commissioner for the 2nd district from 2017 until his death.
22 Facts About Dennis Deer
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Dennis Deer represented many neighborhoods in Chicago, including portions of the Loop, Near West Side, Near South Side, North Lawndale, Englewood, and Washington Park community areas.
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Dennis Deer became interested in studying behavioral health after witnessing a murder at the age of 10 and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Dennis Deer earned certifications as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, forensic counselor, rehabilitation counselor, corrective thinking therapist, and Illinois law enforcement standards and training instructor.
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Dennis Deer returned to Chicago after university and founded Dennis Deer Rehabilitation Services, a therapy services provider in North Lawndale with a specialty in rehabilitating ex-offenders.
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Dennis Deer 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.
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In 2018, Dennis 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.
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In 2003, Dennis Deer ran for 24th ward Alderman in Chicago against two-term incumbent, Michael Chandler.
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In 2007, Dennis 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.
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Dennis 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.
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Dennis Deer was the chairman of an anti-violence task force that Steele's 2nd County District Community Advisory Council created with US Representative Danny K Davis.
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Dennis Deer received endorsements from the chairman of the replacement committee, Alderman Scott Jr.
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Dennis Deer won over the committee as a life-long community member who could build on the work of Robert Steele.
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In 2018, Dennis Deer ran to be elected to his first full term as 2nd district Cook County Commissioner.
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Dennis Deer was sworn in for his first full term on December 3,2018.
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Shortly after Dennis 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.
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On July 25,2019, the Board of Commissioners passed Dennis Deer's resolution declaring racism and racial inequalities a public health crisis in Cook County.
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Dennis Deer served as one of the Vice-Chairs of the Cook County Complete Count Census Commission for the 2020 United States Census.
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Dennis 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.
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Dennis Deer decided he wanted to champion this issue as someone who is both a landlord and works with ex-incarcerated men and women.
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Dennis Deer was a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
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Dennis Deer had situs inversus, meaning his visceral organs were reversed from their normal locations.