Cook County Board District 17: Gorman

Incumbent Elizabeth “Liz” Doody Gorman, an Orland Park Republican, wins endorsement for re-election to the Cook County Board from District 17 based on the work she has done to roll back the county sales tax increase and push for reform.

Unfortunately, the campaign for this seat has served mainly to highlight the weaknesses of both candidates, with each quick to help spread mud about the other. Gorman's baggage includes an unconvincing explanation for why she moved cash out of a campaign fund, an action which received a stinging rebuke from a federal magistrate as an attempt to keep it from being seized in ongoing litigation over her husband's failed automobile dealership.

Orland Park Democrat Patrick Maher, on the other hand, had several conflicting explanations for how he failed to mention a criminal conviction for battery and listed a wrong birth date on some candidate questionnaires, leaving little reason for voters to make a switch on the board.