Maggie Trevor: 2026 candidate for Cook County Board District 9

Bio

Office sought: Cook County Board District 9

Party: Democrat

City: Rolling Meadows

Age: 63

Previous offices held: Cook County Commissioner, 9th District

Q&A

Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?

I am running for re-election for this office to bring my extensive experience in the business side of healthcare to the critical budgetary issues that face the county. And, having grown up in the district, and having spent the last four years walking the district’s many neighborhoods, speaking with residents and municipal leaders, I am intimately familiar with the issues that affect the 9th district — transportation, housing, taxes, the environment, and safety. That experience will make me an effective commissioner for the next four years.

If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you’ve led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?

I have been able to use my knowledge of the health care marketplace to help the board navigate the changes to federal funding and to the ACA and Medicaid plans. We have had many discussions about the potential implications of these changes at the federal level for the county budget, and that dialogue has made us better prepared for the challenges we face in 2027.

As a board member, I have championed environmental legislation, passing a coal tar sealant ban that has faced so far insurmountable challenges at the state level. This ordinance will lower exposure to carcinogens, particularly among children who live in households next to treated driveways and prevent contaminated runoff from entering local waterways.

I have also been a vocal advocate for improvements in transportation, particularly improvements to public transportation in areas of Cook County that have little or no access to bus service. In the eastern and southern parts of my district I have advocated for grants to improve transportation infrastructure, including the Grand Avenue crossing project in Elmwood Park, and several projects to make intersections safer for all modes of transportation.

What initiatives would you support to increase revenue and/or save money?

Cook County faces extraordinary budget challenges in the coming years. I fully support the 2027 budget proposal, which absorbs a predicted dramatic increase in the cost of caring for those who will lose access to insurance through Medicaid and ACA programs without raising taxes or dramatic cuts to programs by eliminating open positions and use of reserves. The 2028 budget year and beyond will be very difficult if the federal government’s cuts to Medicaid continue, and if changes to Medicaid are not forthcoming, some of those programs may have to be revisited. The 2027 budget gives us time for in-depth cost benefit analyses of these potential cuts, and to have discussions with the separately-elected offices that would potentially be affected by these cuts before implementing them. We may find, through this process that opportunities for significant savings through cuts may be limited and Cook County may face significant pressure to raise revenue in some manner. I would encourage finding less regressive means to raise revenue, and raising property taxes at the county level would only be a last resort.

Is there a specific service or amenity that is lacking in the county? If so, how do you propose to provide and fund it?

Pace bus service is severely lacking in much of my district, and in large parts of suburban Cook. Some relief may come from the state, with the recently-passed transportation legislation and new revenue sources earmarked for improvements to our public transportation system. The newly-constituted transit boards for NITA, Pace and Metra, may provide a new focus on improving public transit in suburban areas that previously have been poorly serviced, or have no service at all.

At the county level, we have provided Invest in Cook grants to increase dial-a-ride services and to make improvements on heavily used routes. I will fight for funding for these types of projects to address critical transportation needs.

Does there need to be more bipartisanship and cooperation on the county board? If yes, what would you do to help make that happen?

The Cook County Board is already a remarkably collegial, cooperative legislative body, despite strong differences of opinion both among Democrats and across the aisle. I have worked with all of my colleagues on various issues. Many of our initiatives and pieces of legislation are cooperative efforts with multiple sponsors. In the new session coming up after the election, the board will have at least 6 new members. It is imperative on the returning members to work with these new members to continue that atmosphere of bipartisanship and cooperation.

Cook County is essentially local government. My job as a commissioner is to work with each of the governmental bodies in my district to benefit all the people who live in this communities, and bipartisanship on local issues is essential to doing this job well.

My district includes parts of 21 municipalities and 7 townships, governed by elected officials from across the political spectrum. I have good working relationships with all the mayors, alders and township officials in my district, regardless of party affiliations. I share that sentiment with most of my colleagues, and it is reflected in how we work together on the board.

What is your stance on county board members' pay? Is it too high, too low, or just right? Would you propose any changes?

Commissioner pay is slightly higher than median household income, but not out of line with the expectations of the position. The salary is similar to those currently offered to state legislators in Illinois, and is significantly lower than alders in Chicago. Setting compensation at a level comparable to full time employment allows individuals who may not have significant personal wealth or outside income to still consider serving as a commissioner and have the ability to dedicate themselves to the position full time. It also decreases the potential for conflicts of interest. Many of the commissioners, myself included, are dedicated to this position full time. A county commissioner represents 300,000 people, and some of the primarily suburban districts, such as the 9th, are geographically large and cross multiple municipalities. Working in this position full time allows me to be accessible to local governmental leaders, to hold remote office hours in the municipalities I represent on a regular basis, attend more local community and municipal meetings and generally be available to constituents, as well as to dedicate my full attention to legislation before the board.

What is the most important issue facing the county in your district and how should it be addressed?

Property tax relief is the most important issue facing my constituents, however that is largely outside of county control, and would require action by the state legislature to increase funding for public education and overhaul of both our income and property taxation systems.

Outside of property taxes, transportation, in various forms is a pressing issue in my district. In the northwest part of the district, there is a lack of access to public transportation. And in the eastern parts of the district, heavy traffic and aging roads and rail crossings are in need of repair and modernization. These challenges, combined with a lack of affordable housing contribute to labor shortages because workers cannot afford to live near where they work, and cannot easily travel to or from potential employment, either by public transportation or through heavy traffic made worse by bad roads. I’ve fought for expanded access to Pace bus service in the northwest part of my district, and for funding throughout the district to improve rail crossings and roads, particularly those that make getting around safer for all modes of transportation. I will continue to fight to fund transportation.