Eugene “Gene” Moore, the former Cook County Recorder of Deeds who had been an established political force in west suburban politics for more than two decades, died on June 14 at his home in Maywood, according to friends and family members. He was 73 years old. Sources say he had been battling cancer.
In a phone interview Tuesday, Maywood Mayor Edwenna Perkins said Moore was “Maywood’s son,” and that “his life will be missed.”
Before he was elected to the recorder’s seat in 1999, Moore had been a Proviso Township trustee and eventually the first African-American elected to represent the 7th District, which covers a portion of River Forest, in the Illinois House.
Princess Dempsey, the president of the Lindop School District 92 board who ran for Moore’s old state house seat in 2012, the year he retired from politics, lauded the former county official for his constant support and willingness to serve.
“He supported me when I ran for office and he was one of my support systems, in general,” Dempsey said when interviewed by phone Tuesday. “His goal was to make a change in Proviso Township. He wanted to see a difference in this place.”
Karen Yarbrough, who succeeded Moore both as a 7th District state representative and as the Cook County Recorder of Deeds, a position she currently holds, remembered Moore as a “very well-known and well-liked community person.”
In 2006, Yarbrough defeated Moore in the race for Proviso Township Democratic Committeeman. She said, “While many felt we were enemies, I’d rather think we both were very competitive along with having divergent points of view.”
“We were blessed that he was able to visit the [Cook County Recorder’s] office recently to see our history mural and to connect once more with the many friends he had, and still has, in this office,” Yarbrough said. “I am thankful to have been able to honor him and his public service in that way.”
According to a biography on one of his campaign websites, Moore was a football and basketball coach, and mentor to youths, in Proviso Township. He also served on numerous boards, including that of the Boys and Girls Club of West Cook County.
After his retirement, Moore still yearned for influence. Up until his final days, friends say, he could still be seen actively discussing local government and politics.
Maywood Trustee Isiah Brandon, whose 2015 campaign may have been the last one in which Moore played an active role, called the late politician “a great mentor.”
“He started many young people on their way to public service and I was one of them,” Brandon said. “He taught us what it was to be an effective elected official. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been under his wings.”
Moore had three children — Dowanna, Natalie and Eric.
This story will be updated as more information comes in.