Dennis Deer

Conyears was also the wife of a selection committee member, 28th ward Alderman and Democratic Committeeman Jason Ervin.

After appearing as a candidate, Conyears ultimately left prior to interviewing.

Deer received endorsements from the chairman of the replacement committee, Alderman Scott Jr., and from the Steele family.

Dennis Deer (born August 7, 1972), is an American politician serving as the Cook County Commissioner for the 2nd district.

The district contains many neighborhoods in Chicago, including portions of the Loop, Near West Side, Near South Side, North Lawndale, Englewood, and Washington Park community areas.

He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Deer was born and raised in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago.

He attended Collins High School in Chicago.

After high school, he left the Chicago area to attend Jackson State University and obtained his Bachelor of Science in elementary/special education and Master of Science in rehabilitation psychology.

He later obtained his Ph.D. in christian psychology from Agape Theological Institute.

Deer became interested in studying behavioral health after witnessing a murder at the age of 10 and suffering from PTSD.

He has also earned certifications as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, forensic counselor, rehabilitation counselor, corrective thinking therapist, and Illinois law enforcement standards and training instructor.

Deer returned to Chicago after university and founded Deer Rehabilitation Services, a therapy services provider in North Lawndale with a specialty in rehabilitating ex-offenders.

He also 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.

In his capacity as president of Deer Rehabilitation Services, Deer graduated from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and the Chicago Urban League nextONE business acceleration program.

In 2003, Deer ran for 24th ward Alderman in Chicago against two-term incumbent, Michael Chandler.

After failing to challenge the nomination papers of Chandler, Deer went on to come in third place behind Alderman Chandler and Joe Ann Bradley, a co-founder of Citizen's Action Group which worked towards eliminating prostitution in North Lawndale.

The Steele family endorsement carried weight as Robert Steele had held the seat since 2006 and before that his mother, Bobbie L. Steele, held the seat from 1986-2006.

Deer won over the committee as a life-long community member who could build on the work of Robert Steele.

As the former president of Steele's fundraising committee, he said "We already know how to raise money. We know how to win elections and we're ready to hit ground running."

After three rounds of voting, Deer won the fourth and final round unanimously.

In 2007, 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.

Deer and 12 other candidates applied, including 20th ward Democratic Committeeman Kevin Bailey (a member of the selection committee), Reyahd Kazmi (the husband of City Clerk Anna M. Valencia), and State Representative and future City Treasurer Melissa Conyears.

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.

He was also the chairman of an anti-violence task force that Steele's 2nd County District Community Advisory Council created with U.S. Representative Danny K. Davis.

2nd district Cook County Commissioner Robert Steele died on June 19, 2017, due to complications related to diabetes.

On July 13, 2017, a committee chaired by 24th ward Alderman and Democratic Committeeman, Michael Scott Jr.., and made up of the Chicago Democratic ward committeepeople for all wards that made up the 2nd district was convened to select Steele's replacement to fill the rest of his term.

Votes for the successor were weighted based on how many constituents of each ward committeeperson were also a constituent of the 2nd district.

2017 sweetened beverage tax repeal

Shortly after taking office, the Board of Commissioners was considering 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.

After initially supporting the tax at the time of his appointment, Deer ultimately voted for the successful repeal of the tax on October 11, 2017.

In 2018, 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.

In 2018, Deer ran to be elected to his first full term as 2nd district Cook County Commissioner.

Deer won the Democratic nomination in the March 20th Democratic primary, in which he faced four opponents.

Deer stated that his priorities were "Fiscal Responsibility, Economic Development, Healthcare, and Public Safety."

His opponents included Eddie Johnson III, a Chicago Public Schools educator, Paul J. Montes II, attorney and entrepreneur, Lupe Aguirre, a Chicago police officer and attorney, and Darryl D. Smith, community volunteer.

During the primary campaign, Deer was endorsed by U.S. Representative Danny Davis, Alderman Michael Scott Jr.., Alderman David Moore, former Cook County Board President and 2nd district Commissioner Bobbie Steele, the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune.

After winning the primary, Deer won the November 6th, 2018 general election unopposed.

He was sworn in for his first full term on December 3, 2018.

As of 2020, Deer was also a landlord.