Gabriella Hoxie: 2026 candidate Cook County Board District 15

Bio

Office sought: Cook County Board District 15

City: Schaumburg

Age: 26

Occupation: Communications Analyst

Previous offices held: None

Q&A

If you are an incumbent, please tell us why you're seeking re-election and what makes you the best candidate for this post. If you're a challenger, please tell us how you would improve upon your predecessor's work, and what skills and background make you capable of serving in this role.

First, I do want to give credit where it is due. I believe the incumbent has excelled in two areas: constituent outreach and building connections with local leaders. When elected, I plan to continue building and developing these two areas. However, I think where the incumbent falls short is being truly inclusive of all voices within the district. As Commissioner, I would ensure that everyone has a seat at the table. Right now, many Republican and independent constituents feel as if their needs are being overlooked. I would plan to address that immediately. In addition, I believe the Board needs stronger fiscal oversight and a more disciplined approach to spending. Cook County’s budget has grown significantly in recent years, and taxpayers deserve a Commissioner who will fight to protect their hard-earned money.

My current role as a communications analyst makes me uniquely qualified to tackle this as I work every day with constituent services and outreach plans for the State Representatives I staff. That experience has given me insight into how policy decisions affect residents at the local level and how to solve local problems instead of simply growing government.

Affordability continues to be an issue for many. What has the county board done, or what can it do, to make living in Cook County more affordable?

To be frank, the County Board has taken little practical action to address the cost-of-living crisis. As a Commissioner, I would advocate for frequent county-level performance audits of departments and agencies, along with greater efficiency in tax dollars spent. I support cutting back on spending, especially as it outpaces our population growth. Cook County’s budget has increased substantially over the past decade, and this continued growth in taxes is unsustainable for residents. Finally, I would fight for a comprehensive property tax relief plan to help homeowners and foster economic development.

Despite falling crime rates, public safety continues to be a top concern for people living in Cook County. What can the county to do address issues surrounding crime and public safety, and how would you go about achieving those measures?

Public safety is a core responsibility of county government, and residents deserve to feel safe in their communities. The County Board oversees the Sheriff’s Office, Cook County Correctional, via key funding decisions.

First, we need stronger coordination between county agencies, local law enforcement, and the court system to make sure repeat offenders are not slipping through gaps. That means focusing on accountability and measurable outcomes. Second, funding decisions should be tied to clear benchmarks. If a program is not reducing recidivism or improving compliance, the Board has an obligation to make adjustments. Public safety dollars should be spent where they produce results, and simply throwing money at this problem is clearly not working. Finally, we should continue supporting evidence-based violence prevention and victim services programs that are proven to work. These steps provide a holistic and comprehensive approach to public safety.

There have been some high-profile failures of the county's electronic monitoring program in recent years. What role can the county board play in making the program more efficient and effective?

As it stands today, electronic monitoring is a broken system. The Cook County Board needs to do more to address this issue by demanding consistent reporting from the Sheriff’s Office, specifically regarding compliance, violations, and overall program outcomes. If benchmarks for effectiveness are not being met, the Board needs to require a comprehensive corrective action plan. The safety of our communities is the most important component of comprehensive public safety policy, and if residents are not being kept safe by this program, it needs to be changed or replaced with a better alternative.

What enhancements are needed to improve the services Cook County Health provides, and how can they be achieved in a cost-effective manner?

Cook County Health plays an important role in healthcare for many residents. However, protecting that role requires oversight of spending and clear performance metrics. We need to focus on operational efficiency, reducing administrative overhead, and consolidating redundant services. An independent audit would assist the Board in finding these areas where efficiency can be strengthened. To be clear, I am not advocating for cutting healthcare spending. Rather, by spending tax dollars more efficiently, we can provide better care for residents by funding the programs that are actually working.

Particularly for our suburban readers, the forest preserves are one of residents' most frequent and noticeable interactions with county government. How would you seek to enhance what the forest district offers residents?

As a suburban resident of Cook County, I know the value and importance of our incredible forest preserves. While I think this portion of the Cook County government is already fairly well managed, there is always room to increase efficiency in operating costs and capital projects. My two priorities for the forest preserves are ensuring forest preserve management and maintenance efficiency and increasing communication with residents about projects, improvements, and planning. Preventive maintenance ends up being less expensive for the taxpayer than responsive maintenance, which can be achieved by long-term capital planning that prioritizes infrastructure upkeep before expansion. Additionally, clear communication about project timelines and spending will help residents understand how their tax dollars are being used in one of the county’s most important assets.