Ilene Shapiro is an American businessperson and politician. She has served as the Executive of Summit County, Ohio since August 1, 2016. Her predecessor Russell M. Pry died in office on July 31, 2016. She was re-elected in 2016 and is currently serving a four-year term that ends in December 2020. Previously, Shapiro was a member of Summit County Council for ten years and Council President for three years. Prior to her time in public service, Shapiro was a businesswoman.
Shapiro was elected to Summit County Council in 2006 as an at-large council member. She served as the chair of the planning and economic development committee for her final seven years in Council. Shapiro was elected council president in 2014.
As president of County Council, Ilene Shapiro was next in line for county executive. When Russ Pry died in 2016, she was automatically made interim County Executive on August 1, 2016. The Summit County Democratic Party then voted and selected her to fill out the remainder of Pry's term and to replace him on the ballot in November 2016. During her first few weeks as County Executive, Shapiro sought to continue initiatives started by the late Russ Pry.
2016 election
In 2016, most Democrats in Summit County won their elections against their Republican rivals. Shapiro faced Bill Roemer in the general election. Shapiro won 58.94% of the vote compared to Roemer's 41.06%. Her term ends December 31, 2020. Shapiro ran a campaign focused on economic development, workforce training, and diversity inclusion. Her campaign planned to continue and expand upon the work of Russ Pry.
County executive
Economic development
Shapiro made economic development and workforce training a priority of her first term in office. The County is attempting to attract businesses-small and large- to the region. In March 2019, the County launched its new Economic Development Tool, Summit4Success. A website aimed at increasing business relocation to Summit County. This website also allows for individuals to connect with economic development employees of the County.
Veterans services
Executive Shapiro announced the creation of Summit Liberty House, a shelter for veteran women in Summit County, at the 2018 State of the County. The project is expected to be completed in 2019.
In October 2017, Executive Shapiro announced plans to sue the companies that make and distribute addictive painkillers. She declared a state of emergency in the County and said the opioid epidemic has cost taxpayers $112 million from 2012-2017. In response to the crisis, Executive Shapiro facilitated the gifting of land that was once the Edwin Shaw rehab hospital to two nonprofits that aim to combat the opioid crisis, Restore Addiction Recovery and Hope United.
