Toni Preckwinkle, the Democratic incumbent, is running for reelection as Cook County Board president in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. She faces Michael Murphy, a Libertarian candidate, according to BallotReady election data.
Preckwinkle has held the office since 2011. She is the first Black woman elected Cook County Board president, according to her county government profile.
Candidate information
- Party: Democratic
- Office sought: Cook County Board President
- Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
- Education: Bachelor's degree and master's degree, University of Chicago
Experience and public service
Preckwinkle served as 4th Ward councilmember on the Chicago City Council from 1991 to 2010, according to BallotReady. Before entering elected office, she worked as a high school history teacher from 1981 to 1991.
She has also served as executive director of the Chicago Jobs Council and as a planner at the Chicago Department of Economic Development, according to her county profile and BallotReady data. She has served as president of the Forest Preserves of Cook County since 2010 and as chair of the Cook County Democratic Party since 2018.
On the issues
Fiscal management
Preckwinkle said on her campaign website that she has not raised property taxes in the 15 years she has been in office. She said she has reduced county debt by $800 million and built reserves. She said she funded pensions at 65%, more than double the rate of the city of Chicago. Her most recent county budget passed unanimously with no new taxes, fines or fees, she said.
Healthcare
Cook County created CountyCare, a managed care program for Medicaid-eligible residents, using the Affordable Care Act, according to Preckwinkle's county profile. The county provides care to more than 500,000 individuals through its health system and health plan, the profile states.
Criminal justice reform
Preckwinkle has pursued changes to the criminal justice system that treat mental health issues and substance abuse as illnesses rather than crimes, according to her county profile. She has worked to expand the Justice Advisory Council to coordinate juvenile justice reform and public safety policy, the profile states. She has also sought to reduce the Cook County Jail population while preserving public safety and reducing recidivism.
Endorsements
Preckwinkle has received endorsements from several labor unions, including the Chicago Federation of Labour, IUOE Local 150, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399 and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134. She has also been endorsed by Cook County Democrats, Illinois Sierra Club, Equality IL, Citizen Action Illinois, Personal PAC and United Hellenic Voters of America, according to BallotReady data. The endorsements are claimed by the endorsing organizations.
Candidate information was gathered from the candidate's campaign website, Cook County government records and BallotReady. Policy positions attributed to the candidate reflect her own statements.
