Preckwinkle, Kaegi face primary challengers in Cook County

Democratic primary battles formally launched Monday for two of Cook County’s top elected positions.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s bid for a fifth term is being challenged by Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly, while Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi will be opposed by Lyons Township Assessor Pat Hynes.

They or their campaign representatives were among the first 66 people in line when the Cook County Clerk’s office opened at 9 a.m. Monday on the first day of candidate filing for the March 17, 2026, primary election. Candidates for county offices have until 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, to submit nominating petitions to get on the ballot.

“Today, we filed 40,000+ signatures from across Cook County — more than five times the number required to get on the ballot,” Preckwinkle said in a statement. “Each signature represents someone who believes in the work we’re doing and the progress we’re fighting for. I’m grateful for this incredible show of support and ready to keep fighting for all of our communities.”

Preckwinkle, of Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, who has been at the helm of county government since 2010, initially said she wouldn’t seek another term, but later reversed course. In a reelection announcement on her 78th birthday in March, Preckwinkle cited concerns with the Trump administration and touted her record in office, including criminal justice reform, relieving medical debt and passing balanced budgets.

Reilly, the 42nd Ward downtown Chicago alderman since 2007, announced his candidacy in September, fashioning himself as an independent who has stood up to both parties. He says he disagrees with Trump on most policies and vowed to protect Cook County health care and its social safety net.

Reilly also opposes Trump’s decision to send troops to Chicago — both he and Preckwinkle were on stage for the Oct. 18 No Kings rally in Grant Park — but he’s positioned himself to the right of Preckwinkle with a tough-on-crime stance.

“Those who say Chicago doesn’t have a public safety problem are either lying to you or hiding behind an armed security detail,” Reilly said in his campaign announcement video.

Here’s a look at the other top primary races:

Assessor

Kaegi, of Oak Park, ran as reformer when he ousted then-Cook County Democratic Party Chair Joe Berrios as assessor in 2018. He’s again running without backing of current party Chair Preckwinkle and committeemen, who have endorsed Hynes.

During a slatemaking session over the summer, Kaegi came under fire for an assessment process that critics argue have led to large property tax hikes.

Hynes was a field inspector in the assessor’s office from 1998 until 2021, when he was elected Lyons Township’s assessor. A Western Springs firefighter, Hynes is also the nephew of the late former Cook County Assessor Tom Hynes, who held the post from 1979 to 1997.

Board of commissioners

Now that 15th District Commissioner Kevin Morrison of Mount Prospect is running for Congress, three candidates have jumped in to be his replacement on the county board.

That includes his chief of staff, Ted Mason, who is also the Elk Grove Township Democratic committeeman and an Elk Grove Village resident.

A Republican primary race emerged Monday between Daniel Lee, a member of the Hoffman Estates plan commission, and Schaumburg resident Gabriella Hoxie, a communications analyst in the office of Illinois House Republican Leader Tony McCombie.

Running unopposed so far is 9th District Commissioner Maggie Trevor of Rolling Meadows and 14th District Commissioner Scott Britton of Glenview, both Democrats.

In the 17th District, which stretches from Des Plaines on the north to Tinley Park on the south, former Republican Commissioner Liz Doody Gorman of Orland Park filed petitions to get on the ballot. Incumbent Sean Morrison of Palos Park, who hasn’t yet filed for reelection, defeated her primary bid in 2022.

Other offices

Longtime Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart of Chicago and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas of Chicago also filed reelection paperwork Monday. Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon of Chicago Heights — who won a special election last November following the death of Clerk Karen Yarbrough — also submitted petitions for a full four-year term.