Waukegan Mourns Mary Ross-Cunningham: Lake County Board Vice Chair Dies at 80

A Trailblazer Falls

Mary Ross-Cunningham, the Lake County Board vice chair and a defining voice for Waukegan for more than two decades, has died at age 80. Her son, Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham, announced the news on Tuesday afternoon.

Lake County Chief Deputy Coroner Steve Newton said Ross-Cunningham died of natural causes at Endeavor Health Highland Park Hospital. She had been hospitalized earlier in June due to a serious illness, according to the coroner's office.

"Vice Chair Cunningham was the bedrock of our family, a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and guiding light," Mayor Sam Cunningham said in a statement. "To the community, she was a towering figure in public service, a visionary leader, and a fearless trailblazer."

Breaking Barriers in Lake County

Ross-Cunningham was first elected to the Lake County Board in 2002, representing District 9, which covers much of Waukegan and parts of North Chicago. She became one of the longest-tenured members in the board's history.

In 2016, her peers elected her as board vice chair. She was the first African American woman to serve in a leadership role on the Lake County Board and the second African American woman ever elected to the board.

She served as vice chair through the 2024-2028 term until her death.

A Career of Service

Before entering elected office, Ross-Cunningham spent 29 years caring for veterans at the Veterans Administration Hospital in North Chicago. That experience shaped her policy priorities throughout her public career.

According to Lake County officials, her work included:

• Chair of the Lake County Law & Judicial Committee
• Chair of the Lake County Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee
• Member of the Lake County Health & Community Services Committee
• Lake County's representative to the National Association of Counties (NACo)
• Service on NACo's Veterans and Military Service Committee and Community, Economic & Workforce Steering Committee

She successfully championed making Martin Luther King Jr. Day a fixed holiday for county employees. She also worked with former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White on a driver's license reinstatement program, according to county records.

Advocacy for the Underserved

County officials described Ross-Cunningham as a tireless advocate for people experiencing homelessness, affordable housing, criminal justice reform, and economic opportunity.

"She fought for everybody," Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart said. "It's a huge, huge loss."

U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider called her "bigger than life" in a statement. He said she was a friend, colleague, and mentor.

"She fought every day to ensure that residents had access to affordable housing and quality healthcare, and she was an unwavering voice for those experiencing homelessness," Schneider said. "Her commitment to equity and justice was matched only by her genuine love for the community she served."

Ross-Cunningham also devoted time to civic organizations including the Waukegan Housing Authority, Community Action Partnership, and PADS Lake County, according to the county's announcement.

A Family Legacy

Ross-Cunningham is survived by her children Emerson, Sam, Jackie, and the late Alvin, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her son Sam Cunningham said the family has received an outpouring of support from hundreds of community members.

"While we mourn this immense loss, we also celebrate a life beautifully and purposefully lived," Mayor Cunningham said.

Lake County said Ross-Cunningham "will be remembered for her strength, fearless persistence and unwavering optimism" and that she "will be deeply missed."