Karen Yarbrough

Karen Yarbrough
Yarbrough in 2013
Chair of the Illinois Democratic Party
Acting
In office
February 22, 2021 – March 3, 2021
Preceded byMichael Madigan
Succeeded byRobin Kelly
Clerk of Cook County
In office
December 3, 2018 – April 7, 2024
Preceded byDavid Orr
Succeeded byCedric Giles (acting)
Cook County Recorder of Deeds
In office
December 2012 – December 3, 2018
Preceded byEugene Moore
Succeeded byEdward Moody
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 7th district
In office
January 2001 – December 2012
Preceded byWanda Sharp
Succeeded byCory Foster
Personal details
Born(1950-08-22)August 22, 1950
Washington, D.C., U.S.
DiedApril 7, 2024(2024-04-07) (aged 73)
Maywood, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseHenderson Yarbrough
EducationChicago State University (BA)
Northeastern Illinois University (MA)

Karen A. Yarbrough[1] (August 22, 1950 – April 7, 2024) was an American politician who served as the Cook County Clerk from 2018 until her death in 2024. Yarbrough served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 2001 to 2013, and as Cook County Recorder of Deeds from 2012 to 2018. She briefly served as the interim chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois after long-time chair Michael Madigan resigned from the position in February 2021. Elected to the office of Cook County Clerk on November 6, 2018, she was the first woman and African American to hold the position. She held the position until her death in April 2024.

  1. ^ "Karen Yarbrough: Cook County Recorder of Deeds". WTTW. October 7, 2016. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved April 10, 2024.