Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough dies after being hospitalized with "serious medical condition"
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough has died after she was hospitalized last week with an undisclosed medical condition, one of her top aides confirms. She was 73.
In a statement last week, Yarbrough's office confirmed she was being treated for a "serious medical condition" but did not provide any further details on the illness.
Her office would only say she was surrounded by her husband and family when she passed away peacefully Sunday afternoon.
Her family released a statement, saying in part, she was "a wife, mother, sister, aunt and mentor to everyone who met her. So many of us stand on her shoulders and are actively walking pathways that she forged."
Yarbrough was remembered Sunday as a trailblazer. She had a career that spanned local and state politics over three decades.
First elected in 2018, she is the first woman and first African American to hold that office, overseeing elections in suburban Cook County and maintaining the county's vital records, such as birth, marriage, civil union, and death certificates.
She previously served as Cook County Recorder of Deeds from December 2012 until 2018. Those two offices merged in 2020.
Yarbrough also was an Illinois state representative from 2001 until 2012, representing parts of the western suburbs.
Gov. JB Pritzker released a statement Sunday evening, calling Yarbrough a "good friend":
Karen Yarbrough was a devoted public servant who led a life full of incredible impact for the people of Illinois.
She spent many years representing Maywood in the Illinois House of Representatives, where she passed landmark legislation and emerged as a leader of her community.
As the first Black woman to be elected a Cook County Clerk, she inspired many and faithfully served all.
Karen was always there to lend her support and she was a good friend. I will miss her dearly.
My thoughts are with her loved ones during this difficult time.
May her memory be a blessing.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson released the following statement:
On behalf of the City of Chicago, I am sending my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough. As the first African-American and the first woman to hold the position of County Clerk, she was both a pioneer and a tireless legislator, committed to social and economic justice throughout decades of public service. Her passion for ensuring that communities experience the full support of their governing bodies and benefit from the fruits of our democracy will truly be missed, as will her radiant smile.
Karen Yarbrough forged a path for officials like myself and many others, and my administration is keeping her memory and her family in our hearts during this difficult time.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton released the following statement:
Bryan and I are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough. She was a dedicated public servant and paved the way for so many as the first Black person and first woman to serve as Cook County Clerk.
As a fellow elected official and friend, she was always encouraging, and we shared many passionate conversations about advancing equity in our communities.
Above all, she was a wonderful human being loved by so many, including her family and friends who mourn her loss. We are praying for them and her colleagues in the Cook County Clerk's Office as they grieve and send them strength for the journey.
Illinois State Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs released the following statement:
I am deeply heartbroken to learn of Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough's passing. A towering figure in the Democratic Party, Clerk Yarbrough was a trailblazer who broke barriers, including serving as the first female and the first African American Cook County Clerk. My thoughts are with her family during this difficult time, and I grieve the loss of a dedicated public servant.
The Cook County Clerk's office also released a statement regarding Yarbrough's death:
It is with profound sadness that the Cook County Clerk's Office announces the death of Clerk Karen A. Yarbrough, a beloved leader and dedicated public servant who was serving her second term as the elected Clerk of Cook County at the time of her passing.
Clerk Yarbrough passed away peacefully Sunday afternoon surrounded by her husband and family after being hospitalized last week.
"We have lost one of the brightest lights in the public service arena in Cook County and the State of Illinois and we will never be quite the same," said Chief Deputy Clerk Cedric Giles.
"Clerk Yarbrough brought a unique spirit, energy, and compassion to her role in public service, and she used those gifts to bring out the best in all of us. She will be missed beyond measure."
Clerk Yarbrough and her husband Henderson were longtime Maywood residents and active members of their community. Her family released the following statement:
"Karen Yarbrough was a wife, mother, sister, aunt and mentor to everyone who met her. So many of us stand on her shoulders and are actively walking pathways that she forged. As a public servant, she had the courage to stand in support of issues that were not always popular, but she knew them to be right.
She was a champion of women's rights and a defender of the underprivileged and she touched so many people's lives for the better. Proud is too small a word for what it means to have someone like her as part of our family."
During her tenure as Clerk, Yarbrough is credited with implementing sweeping changes throughout the office including a complete modernization of election voting equipment and enhancements to the entire voting process for suburban voters.
During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, she successfully managed a first-of-its kind government consolidation by assuming all duties of the former Cook County Recorder of Deeds Office into the operations of the Clerk's Office.
"The Clerk's steadfast commitment to accuracy, efficiency, advocacy and cybersecurity resulted in groundbreaking initiatives in programming and technology that will have a constructive impact on the operations of the Clerk's Office for generations to come," said Giles.
When she was elected in 2018, Karen Yarbrough became the first woman and the first African American to serve as Cook County Clerk.
Operations at the Cook County Clerk's Office will resume, at least temporarily, under Chief Deputy Clerk Cedric Giles. A long term, permanent replacement was not immediately clear.
