Cook County leader Toni Preckwinkle seeks successor after nearly 20 years in power
The 79-year-old board president is set to win a fifth term and is planning to find a candidate who shares her priorities before she steps down.
By Marco Graham ·
Toni Preckwinkle is set to lead Cook County for another four years after winning the Democratic primary with 69 percent of the vote. At 79, the board president will serve her fifth term, a tenure that will span two decades if she completes her time in office. She faces only token opposition in the November 3 general election from Libertarian Michael Murphy, who had less than $500 in campaign funds when October began.
Preckwinkle told the Tribune that the pandemic disrupted her original plan to retire after her third term. She said she wants to ensure the county is financially stable and that residents feel secure before she leaves. Her 2027 budget proposal closed a roughly $550 million shortfall using reserve funds and spending cuts. She indicated that taxpayers may face higher costs in the future to maintain essential services.
The county’s financial outlook is strained by federal Medicaid changes. An estimated 400,000 patients statewide may lose coverage under new work requirements and eligibility checks. Cook County Health expects to lose $138 million in patient revenue next year and will shoulder more than $100 million in new charity care costs. The system also faces a roughly $250 million annual budget hold due to a legal ruling on transportation fund usage.
During the primary, Preckwinkle defeated Ald. Brendan Reilly, who challenged her record on crime and property tax upgrades. Preckwinkle raised funds from state Democratic leaders and unions to counter Reilly’s advertising spend. Governor JB Pritzker contributed $250,000 through his trust, while the SEIU gave $272,800. She has also focused on progressive issues, including an executive order that bans the use of county property for civil immigration enforcement.
State Sen. Robert Peters, a former mentee of Preckwinkle, described her as a "transformational incrementalist" who balances moderate and leftist wings of the party. Sources close to Preckwinkle suggest she is already identifying a successor, with Peters and Commissioner Bill Lowry mentioned as potential candidates. Preckwinkle stated she wants to ensure the next leader shares her commitment to healthcare and criminal justice reform.
Preckwinkle has served as board president for nearly two decades after representing Hyde Park on the Chicago City Council. She has also led the Cook County Democratic Party since 2018. Her rival, Murphy, a 33-year-old IT professional, campaigned on reducing property taxes and limiting the growth of data centers. He said voters are showing fatigue with officials who serve multiple terms.
The board president plans to focus on finding a successor during her next term. She said she does not want to be succeeded by someone with opposing values, comparing the situation to the transition from Barack Obama to Donald Trump. Preckwinkle admitted she exhausted herself during the primary campaign and is now taking more time to recover between events.
