David Orr

David Orr

David Orr has been Cook County Clerk since 1991. He is the chief election authority for suburban Cook County, one of the largest election jurisdictions in the country.

A progressive voice in Chicago politics for 30 years, Orr has been nationally commended for his leadership on election reform, the Motor Voter law, early voting, and student election judge programs. Orr’s innovative efforts to boost productivity and improve efficiency in his office have also garnered recognition from Microsoft and the National Association of County Officials.

An advocate for open government, Orr fought for Chicago’s first major ethics legislation while a city alderman. Following the death of Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, Orr took over as mayor and was recognized for his strong and sensible leadership during one the most tumultuous periods in Chicago’s political history.

Orr lives on Chicago’s North Side with his wife and four children. Prior to seeking elected office, Orr worked as an assistant professor of history and urban affairs.

Institute for Policy Studies connections

David Orr, Chicago Alderman, was listedamong those participating in the Institute for Policy Studies affiliated Conference on Alternative State and Local Policies {CASLP} Bryn Mawr August 3-5 1979.

Links to Democratic Socialists of America

David Orr has been close to Chicago Democratic Socialists of America since the 1980s.

He was a regularat the annual ChicagoDemocratic Socialists of America organized Eugene V. Debs - Norman Thomas - Michael Harrington Dinner.

The 1983 Norman Thomas - Eugene V. Debs Dinner was held at the McCormick Inn on Saturday, May 7. Newly elected Mayor Harold Washington was unable to attend at the last minute. Carl Shier, who was to have introduced him, read a message from him instead, and spoke of DSA's considerable role in Washington's election campaign. Congressman Ron Dellums provided the Thomas - Debs address.

David Orr, attended and was photographed (at left) with aspiring Congressman Charles Hayes-already running for the Congressional seat left vacant when Harold Washington won the Chicago mayoral election.

In 1988, Alderman David Orr served on the Board of Directors of PROCAN (Progressive Chicago Area Network), an organization which included several prominent Democratic Socialists of America members, including Alderman Danny K Davis, Roberta Lynch and Dr Ron Sable.

Cook County Clerk David Orr, also attended Chicago DSA's the The 35th Annual Eugene V. Debs - Norman Thomas - Michael Harrington Dinner on May 7th 1993.

Tribute to Golub and Montgomery

On November 16, 1989, David Orr served on the Tribute Committee for the Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights Tribute to Leon Golub and Lucy Montgomery, held at the Congress Hotel, Chicago.

Progressive Chicago

In late 1993 Progressive Chicago letters were always signed by 17 people;

• Ron Sable
• Dwayne Harris, 21st Century Vote
• David Orr Cook County Clerk
• Ernestine Whiting, ACORN
• Madeline Talbott, ACORN
• Bessie Cannon, President SEIU Local 880
• Keith Kelleher, Head organizer SEIU Local 880
• Joe Gardner Commissioner, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
• Lou Pardo, (Northwest Voter Registration Project)
• Rene David Luna, (ADAPT)
• Dick Simpson
• Danny K. Davis
• Carol Harwell, United Voter Registration League
• Barack Obama
• Ron Davis
• Carl Davidson, Networking for Democracy
• Philip Jahn, Teamsters Local 743

Support for Alice Palmer

Orr was an early supporter of Alice Palmer in her bid for U.S. Congress.

In the mid 1990s David Orr was listedas a member of Friends of Alice Palmer (in formation), alongside Danny K Davis, Tony Rezko and Barack Obama.

Illinois Public Action

In 1995 David Orr was a member of the board of directorsof Illinois Public Action.

In 1996 members of the 120 strong boardof Illinois Public Action included Quentin Young, Congressmen Luis Gutierrez and Lane Evans, Chicago alderman Joe Moore and Peoria alderman Frank McNeil, State Senator Alice Palmer, State Representative Jan Schakowsky and Cook County Clerk David Orr.

Citizen Action of Illinois

In 1997 David Orr served on the board of directors of Citizen Action of Illinois.