Monica Gordon, the Democratic incumbent, is running for a full term as Cook County Clerk in the Nov. 3, 2026 general election. Gordon was sworn into office on Dec. 2, 2024, becoming the youngest woman and the third African American to hold the position, according to a City Club Chicago profile.

Gordon's office manages elections across suburban Cook County, including Park Ridge and Niles, along with services such as voter registration, record keeping and permits, according to her campaign website.

Candidate information

  • Party: Democratic
  • Office sought: Cook County Clerk
  • Residence: Chicago Southland region of Cook County
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in journalism, Northern Illinois University; master's degree in communications and training, Governors State University

Experience and public service

Gordon served as a Cook County commissioner representing the 5th District from 2022 to 2024 and as vice chair of the board's Transportation Committee, according to City Club Chicago and BallotReady profile data. She also served as board chair at Prairie State Community College and as Democratic committeeperson for Bloom Township.

Her professional background includes work as executive director of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation, director of government affairs and community relations at Chicago State University, and founder of EQ Capital Consulting LLC, according to BallotReady profile data.

She also served as treasurer of Illinois Democratic Women and as a member of the National Association of Counties Transportation Steering Committee.

On the issues

The following positions are drawn from Gordon's campaign website and a Politico Illinois Playbook report.

Election security: Gordon said her office prepared for months to address the possibility of a federal presence at polls ahead of the March 2026 primary. She said the county deployed additional security personnel and election judges during early voting and on election day, with staff "strategically located throughout suburban Cook County." Gordon said, "Our responsibility is to be prepared, not reactive."

Government modernization: Gordon said she wants to automate routine tasks such as document processing, voter registration and record keeping. She said adopting electronic filing and online service portals would reduce paperwork and speed up service delivery. She also called for redesigning workflows to cut wait times for licenses and permits.

Accessibility and civil rights: Gordon said she would implement multilingual support and disability accommodations so language barriers and physical challenges do not prevent residents from accessing county services. On elections, she said fairness means accessible polling locations, extended voting hours and voter education reaching all demographics.

Infrastructure: Gordon listed lead service lines, broadband access and roadway and alley improvements as priorities on her campaign website.

Working families and youth: Gordon said she supports legislative policies backing working families and wants to link youth development with education, job opportunities and financial literacy, according to her campaign website.

Endorsements

The following endorsements were claimed by the endorsing organizations, according to BallotReady profile data:

  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134
  • International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399
  • IUOE Local 150
  • Chicago Federation of Labour
  • Cook County Democrats
  • Equality IL
  • Personal PAC

Candidate positions and statements are drawn from Gordon's campaign website and a Politico Illinois Playbook report. The Park Ridge Wire presents this profile as voter information and does not endorse candidates.