Karen Yarbrough

Karen Yarbrough is an American politician currently serving as Cook County Clerk. Elected on November 6, 2018, she is the first female and African American to hold the position.[1] Yarbrough previously served as Cook County Recorder of Deeds from 2012 to 2018 and as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 2001 to 2013. She became the interim Chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois after long-time chair Michael Madigan resigned from the position on February 22, 2021.[2]

Karen Yarbrough
Chair of the Illinois Democratic Party
Acting
In office
February 22, 2021 – March 3, 2021
Preceded byMichael Madigan
Succeeded byRobin Kelly
Clerk of Cook County
Assumed office
December 3, 2018
Preceded byDavid Orr
Cook County Recorder of Deeds
In office
December 2012 – December 3, 2018
Preceded byEugene Moore
Succeeded byEdward Moody
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 7th district
In office
January 2001 – December 2012
Preceded byWanda Sharp
Succeeded byCory Foster
Personal details
Born (1950-08-22) August 22, 1950
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseHenderson Yarbrough
EducationChicago State University (BA)
Northeastern Illinois University (MA)

Education and career

Yarbrough earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University, a master’s in Inner City Studies from Northeastern Illinois University and attended nondegree executive education at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. Yarbrough is the founder and CEO of Hathaway Insurance Agency, where she has worked for thirty years.

Community involvement

Yarbrough has served as president of the Maywood Chamber of Commerce, and on the boards of United Way of Suburban Chicago and the Oak Park YMCA.

State representative

In 1998, Yarbrough unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Eugene Moore in the Democratic primary for the 7th district seat in the Illinois House of Representatives.[3]

Yarbrough ran again for the 7th district seat in the Illinois House of Representatives again in 2000, this time succeeding, unseating incumbent Wanda Sharp in the Democratic primary and winning the general election. Her term began in January, 2001, and she was later appointed an assistant majority leader.[4][5] She served on several house committees (Housing and Urban Development (Chairwoman); House Insurance Committee (Vice-Chairwoman); Environmental Health Committee; Appropriations: Public Safety, Computer Technology) and was a member of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, and the Governor’s Safety and Re-Entry Commission.

Vice chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois

Yarbrough serves as vice-chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois.[6]

Yarbrough is regarded as an ally of former state party chairman Michael Madigan.[6]

Personal life

Yarbrough's father, Don Williams, is an insurance agent and former village president of the Village of Maywood. She is married to Henderson Yarbrough, Sr., a current Maywood village trustee and former Maywood village president. They have seven grandchildren.

References
  1. "Karen Yarbrough".
  2. "Madigan Resigns as Chair of State Democratic Party". WMAQ-TV. February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  3. "Election Vote Totals Results". www.elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  4. Murphy, Peter M. (February 2001). "92nd General Assembly Convenes with Active Schedule". Illinois Issues. Sangamon State University. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  5. clerk's office posted bio sign 15may2019
  6. Pratt, Gregory (4 December 2018). "Former Cook County commissioner, House Speaker Madigan ally appointed recorder of deeds". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
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