Cook County board honors labor relations director LaShawn DeFeo with retirement resolution

The Cook County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 22 honored LaShawn DeFeo with a resolution recognizing more than 24 years of service guiding labor relations for the county and marking her retirement.

Labor leaders, county officials and commissioners used the public-comment and resolution presentation portions of the meeting to praise DeFeo’s negotiating skills and collaborative approach. Ramon Williams, president of Teamsters Local 700, told the board he supported resolution 26-0452 and said DeFeo’s work strengthened labor relations and workplace stability for thousands of county employees. Mike Newman, deputy director for AFSCME Council 31, said on behalf of “several thousand” AFSCME members that DeFeo’s tenure coincided with a period of strong engagement and that she frequently initiated constructive dialogue with unions.

Felicia Addicks, identified in the meeting as the county’s Bureau Chief for Human Resources, said DeFeo joined county leadership in 2016 and credited her with reducing grievances, preserving management rights and helping maintain labor peace. In remarks from the dais, DeFeo thanked labor partners and county leadership, described partnership bargaining as effective and urged unions to keep challenging government to find creative solutions.

The resolution was presented by Commissioner Moore and was included on the consent calendar the board approved by roll call (the clerk reported 15 ayes, 2 absent). The board did not take a separate, recorded roll call on resolution 26-0452 because it was adopted as part of the approved consent calendar.

DeFeo’s recognition drew multiple tributes from commissioners who highlighted her rise from a pharmacy technician and union steward to chief labor strategist, and noted her recently published book, which was referenced during presentations. The board set no additional policy action on the item; it was a ceremonial recognition adopted by the consent vote.