Seven pack ballot in Cook County District 17

The District 17 Cook County Board race drew a crowd, with seven candidates creating primary election contests in the Democratic, Republican and Green parties.

Democrats

Victor Forys, a 55-year-old physician from Park Ridge who ran for Congress last year, is challenging Patrick Maher, a 38-year-old real estate appraiser who is president of the Orland Fire Protection District.

They hold similar opinions on issues, but each says his background uniquely prepares him to lead.

Forys says his medical background would allow him to help the county reform its problem-plagued health care system, which accounts for one-third of the county's $3 billion budget.

Maher, on the other hand, says his experience reforming the Orland Fire Protection District would help him cut waste from the county budget.

Also in the race is Donna Sanders, an Orland Hills library trustee, who has not responded to repeated requests to be interviewed and did not complete a Daily Herald candidate questionnaire.

Both Forys and Maher favor rolling back the county's sales tax, consolidating the forest preserve police into the Cook County Sheriff's office and scouring the budget for common-sense cuts.

Republicans

Maine Township Republican Committeeman Mark Thompson and Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth "Liz" Gorman square off for the Republican nomination.

Gorman, the 44-year-old incumbent from Orland Park, says the most important issue is reforming the county's ethics policies. In September, she successfully pushed an ethics ordinance that combats nepotism in the county. The ordinance calls on anyone doing business with the county to reveal any family relationship with government employees and also removes anyone with a family interest from making a hiring or contractual decision.

Thompson, 54, an attorney from Des Plaines with a long history in Maine Township government, says the number one issue is reducing spending, cutting taxes to spur job growth, and reforming the county's health care system.

Both candidates want to repeal the county sales tax hike, cut spending, end patronage hiring, and amend the property tax bills so they include an itemization of tax increment financing district spending.

Green Party

Two Green Party candidates also are on the primary election ballot. Richard Dalka of Des Plaines faces Matthew Ogean of Orland Park.

Dalka, a computer operator, said keeping Cook County taxes as low as possible is his top priority. He favors repealing the sales tax increase imposed in 2008 and says the Cook County Forest Preserve District should promote environmental practices like wind and solar energy and use hybrid cars for forest preserve business.

He said employees using county vehicles should take defensive driving courses to eliminate workers' compensation and other accident-related costs.

Ogean did not respond to requests for interviews or complete a Daily Herald candidate questionnaire.

District 17 stretches into Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Wheeling, Prospect Heights, Rosemont and Elk Grove Village on its north end and Orland Park on its south end.