Orr, Dart, Pappas heading for victory in Cook County

Orr takes commanding lead

Cook County Clerk David Orr is heading for victory, with 77 percent of the votes after 80 percent of precincts have been counted. The Democrat and former Chicago alderman was challenged by Republican attorney Angel Garacia, with 22.9 percent of the vote.

Dart heading for victory

Having declined to run for the may of Chicago, Democrat Tom Dart is prevailing in his bid for a second term as Cook County sheriff.

With 80 percent of precincts reporting, Dart received 76.8 percent of the vote compared to 19.5 percent for Republican challenger Frederick Collins and 3.6 percent for the Green Party's Marshall Lewis.

Another term for Pappas

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, with 77 percent of the vote, is far ahead of Republican challenger Carol A. Morse.

With 80 percent of precincts counted, Morse had 23 percent of the vote.

Since she took over the office in 1998, Pappas reduced the work force from 258 to 121 employees and vows to reduce it further. Those workers collect property taxes in two installments annually and disburse the funds to about 1,600 taxing agencies around Cook County.

Morse, a commercial lender with Fifth Third Bank, believed her 25 years in banking provided a solid foundation for the treasurer's office.

Patlak leading in review board race

Republican Dan Patlak, a Wheeling Township assessor, is leading his Democratic opponent, incumbent Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Brendan F. Houlihan in a race for a seat on the three-person board which judges assessment appeals from homeowners. With 73.8 percent of precincts reporting, early results show Patlak with 53 percent of the vote to Houlihan's 47 percent.

Dems ahead in Water Reclamation District

Chicago Democrats Barbara McGowan, Michael Alvarez and Mariyana Spyropoulos are leading in the race for seats on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. With 75.8 percent of precincts reporting, McGowan has 22.1 percent of the vote, Alvarez has 22.9 percent of the vote and Spyropoulos has 22.6 percent of the vote.

Also running is Lemont Republican Paul Chialdikas, Chicago Republican Jimmy Lee Tillman II, and Green Party candidates John Ailey, Nadine Anne Bopp and Diana Horton.