Debra Shore with Judge Tom Chiola. Photo by Amy Wooten_________
Following her successful campaign and victory, lesbian Debra Shore was inducted as a commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District ( MWRD ) Dec. 5.
Shore's induction is a milestone for the local GLBT community. She made history in November when she became the first open lesbian elected to a non-judicial office in Cook County. Her strong campaign drew much attention to the oft-forgotten county agency charged with preserving and enhancing the area's water systems.
Judge Tom Chiolathe first openly gay man elected to an Illinois office, in 1994performed Shore's late-afternoon installation ceremony at the downtown MWRD headquarters, 100 E. Erie.
Chiola started off the ceremony by telling onlookers and the MWRD board how proud he is to induct another openly gay elected official in Chicago. Following the ceremony, Chiola said that if Shore's time in office is as 'tenacious' as her campaign was, voters will be in safe hands.
A second joint installation ceremony and celebration with Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin took place at the Cook County Courthouse in Skokie the following day.