Toni Preckwinkle, the Democratic incumbent, is running for reelection as Cook County Board president in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. She faces Libertarian candidate Michael Murphy.
Preckwinkle has held the office since 2011. The Cook County Board president oversees county operations that touch Park Ridge residents through the county health system, the Forest Preserves, property tax policy and the justice system.
Candidate information
- Party: Democratic
- Office sought: Cook County Board President
- Education: Bachelor's degree and master's degree, University of Chicago
- Residence: Preckwinkle is a native of St. Paul, Minnesota, who came to Chicago to attend the University of Chicago, according to her county biography.
- Notable: First Black woman elected Cook County Board president
Experience and public service
- Cook County Board president (2011–present)
- President, Forest Preserves of Cook County (2010–present)
- Chair, Cook County Democratic Party (2018–present)
- Councilmember, Chicago City Council Ward 4 (1991–2010)
- Executive director, Chicago Jobs Council
- Planner, Chicago Department of Economic Development
- High school history teacher (1981–1991)
On the issues
The following positions are drawn from Preckwinkle's campaign website and her official county profile. Statements reflect the candidate's own claims unless otherwise noted.
Fiscal management
Preckwinkle says she has not raised property taxes in the 15 years she has been in office. She says she has reduced county debt by $800 million, built reserves and funded pensions at 65%, which she describes as more than double the city of Chicago's rate. Her most recent county budget passed unanimously with no new taxes, fines or fees, according to her campaign website.
Healthcare
Under Preckwinkle's leadership, Cook County used the Affordable Care Act to create CountyCare, a managed care program for Medicaid-eligible residents, according to her official county profile. The county says it provides care to more than 500,000 individuals through its health system and health plan.
Criminal justice reform
According to her county profile, Preckwinkle has remained committed to reimagining the criminal justice system by treating mental health issues and substance abuse as illnesses rather than crimes. The county profile says she has worked to expand the Justice Advisory Council to coordinate juvenile justice reform and public safety policy, with the goal of safely reducing the Cook County Jail population while preserving public safety and reducing recidivism.
Endorsements
Preckwinkle has received endorsements from Cook County Democrats, the Chicago Federation of Labour, IUOE Local 150, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134, Illinois Sierra Club, Equality IL, Citizen Action Illinois, Personal PAC and United Hellenic Voters of America, according to BallotReady data. Endorsements are claimed by the endorsing organizations.
This profile was compiled from the candidate's official county biography, campaign website and BallotReady election data. Election day is Nov. 3, 2026.
