ABOUT MARY

Mary Ross Cunningham was born on November 19, 1945 in Coatopa, Alabama. Mary has seven children (Dr. Emerson Ross, Jackie Cunningham-Bailey, Samuel D.Cunningham Jr was 40th Mayor of Waukegan, Alvin Cunningham(Deceased), Levi Finch, Beverly Ann Finch and Noami finch. In the early 1970’s Mary went on to pursue a career in nursing at the College of Lake County and later became employed with Veteran Administration Hospital (James Lovell Center) in North Chicago, IL. Mary career in nursing also led her to attend the University of Wisconsin (Madison) studying Business Administration and Sawyer College in Waukegan, IL studying Business Administration also. Mary stayed employed with the Veteran Hospital for 29 years until retirement. Mary decided she was not ready for retirement and became employed with the Great Lakes Naval Base Food Service Department for another 5 years as quality assurance Supervisor.  After thinking about a career move Mary decided to make a governmental move to become a Lake County Board Member in 2001 and successfully became the second African American women in Lake County as a County Board member. While serving as a Lake County Board member her accomplishment has spoken with grace. Mary accomplishment for District 9 are organization such as: Catholic Charities, Community Action Partnership (Directors of Board member) Lake County Green Belt Culture Center, Samaritan House, Waukegan Housing Authority, Youth Conservation Corps, VISTA Health Medical Center, Lake County Greenbelt Forest Preserve, Cool Pantry, Prairie State Legal Services, Lake County Pads Homeless Shelters and Lake County Women of W.O.R.T.H. Mary was appointed by United States Senator Mark Kirk to the State of Illinois African American Advisory Board, along with receiving many prestigious awards such as YWCA (Women of Achievement) and Women of Distinction (Shaw Media Magazines) along with magazine Who’s Who as an Executive Profession Award.  Mary has served Lake County government for over 40 years and serves with Grace and Mercy. Mary is currently serving as Lake County Board Vice Chairwoman and has served as a Lake County Board member for 19 years. Two of the most prestige accomplishments that Commissioner Cunningham has achieved is the coordinating of Driver’s License Pilot program to allow Lake County citizens to retain their Driver’s License. Commissioner Cunningham played a contingent role with having Dr. Martin Luther King recognized as a fixed holiday for Lake County Employees.