Deborah J. Stroud | University Park

About Deborah

The 1st African American female to retire from the Village of University Park after 29+ years of employment.

During my Park Forest South employment years, as a resident, I served 2 years as cheerleading coach of the Park Forest South Lions Association; Co-founder of the Will Cook Football Association Girls Cheerleading Competitions; 2 years as coach of the Park Forest South Girls All Star softball teams; 2 years as a member of Crusade of Mercy and 5 years as coordinator of the 1st Baptist Church of University Park Annual Youth Ministry Black History programs..

A proud resident of University Park, Illinois for over 52 years, Deborah Stroud has dedicated her life to public service, community leadership, and empowering residents through advocacy and action.

A retired Village of University Park (VOUP) employee with over 29 years of distinguished service, she continues to uplift her community through consistent volunteerism, leadership roles, and civic engagement across Will County and the Chicagoland area. Throughout her career and into retirement, her focus has remained on youth mentorship, senior care, and community safety.

A Lifetime of Service

Village of UP (VOUP) Leadership

Retired after 29+ years of service across Police, Fire, and Code Enforcement departments.
1st African American Female Assistant Code Enforcement Officer (5 years).
1st African American Female Code Enforcement Department Supervisor.
President, VP, and Chief Steward of AFSCME Local #3837 (negotiated 2+ union contracts).
7 years Secretary/Treasurer of the South Suburban Building Officials Association.
1 year member of the Personnel Review Board & Member of the VOUP Code Enforcement Committee.
Monee 07 Precinct Committeeperson (Two Terms)

Civic Advocacy & Volunteerism

25 years Notary Public & 25 years Deputy Registrar conducting voter registration drives (including 12+ years at Crete-Monee High School).
22 years Will County Election Judge.
13 years Chairman of UP Senior Citizens Committee.
University Park Library District Board Trustee (6 years).
Secretary of VOUP Mayor's Office of Special Events Committee & Member of 2020 Complete Census Count Committee.
17 years Diversity Dinners attendee (2 years Table Talk Lead).
Member of IL Democratic Women of Will County.
2020 Community Block Club Petition Filer for Restoration of Riegel Farm

Outreach & Youth Programs

Core Team Member of Northern IL Food Bank’s Senior Hunger Initiative (Conducted VOUP Senior Food Market Day).
Coordinated delivery of over 9,000 bottles of water to residents during the Aqua Illinois water crisis.
9 years Assistant Advisor of the VOUP Police Explorers Post #783.
18 years member of VOUP Family Fling committees.
Coordinator of the 2020 Community Block Club Heritage Showcase.
Co-Founder of Will-Cook Football Association Girls Cheerleading Competitions (Served as PFS Lions Coach).
7 years with New Faith International Church Security Ministry & 4 years Armor Bearer for Co-Pastor Rev. Alexis L. Felder.