Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough, a longtime Illinois politician who held multiple elected offices over her career, has died, a spokesperson said.
Yarbrough passed away on Sunday afternoon with her husband at her side, according to a statement provided by her office.
Yarbrough's office revealed days prior that she had been hospitalized with a "serious medical condition" and was undergoing treatment.
Further details on what the medical condition was weren't released.
Yarbrough was elected as the county's first African American and female clerk in 2018 and reelected in 2022. Before that, she served as the Cook County Recorder of Deeds and as Assistant Majority Leader in the Illinois House of Representatives.
Her family released the following statement regarding her passing:
“Karen Yarbrough was a wife, mother, sister, aunt and mentor to everyone who met her. So many of us stand on her shoulders and are actively walking pathways that she forged. As a public servant, she had the courage to stand in support of issues that were not always popular, but she knew them to be right.
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She was a champion of women’s rights and a defender of the underprivileged and she touched so many people’s lives for the better. Proud is too small a word for what it means to have someone like her as part of our family.”
Gov. J.B. Pritzker called Yarbrough a "devoted public servant who led a life full of incredible impact for the people of Illinois."
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"She spent many years representing Maywood in the Illinois House of Representatives, where she passed landmark legislation and emerged as a leader for her community,” the governor stated.
"As the first Black woman to be elected a Cook County Clerk, she inspired many and faithfully served all," his statement added. "Karen was always there to lend her support and she was a good friend. I will miss her dearly. My thoughts are with her loved ones during this difficult time. May her memory be a blessing."
Tributes began pouring in on social media after news of Yarbrough's passing emerged:
