Cook County, Illinois

Cook County Board President

2 candidates are tracked for Cook County Board President on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Toni Preckwinkle and Michael Murphy. Candidate information follows official Cook County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

On Cook County's November 3, 2026 general election ballot, per the Cook County Clerk's official candidate filing list.

What this office does

County commissioner. The county board is the county's legislative and, in most states, executive body. Commissioners adopt the county budget and property tax rate, oversee roads, the jail, public health, planning and zoning in unincorporated areas, and appoint or confirm department heads. In counties with an elected county executive or judge, the board's role is mainly the budget and ordinances.

This race. The sitting officeholder, Toni Preckwinkle, is on the ballot.

Illinois › Cook County › Cook County Board President

Toni Preckwinkle

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities

Expanding access to healthcare for county residents
Bringing increased fairness to the criminal justice system
Championing a regional economic development strategy and youth employment opportunities

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Preckwinkle has served as Cook County Board President since 2010, the first African American woman elected to lead the county, per the campaign site. Preckwinkle's role has included oversight of the county's public health and hospital systems, criminal justice system, and forest preserve district, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Michael Murphy

Libertarian

Top priorities

Cap the effective property tax rate at 1% of a home's purchase price
Focus on transit reform, housing accessibility and food security
Support safer communities and accountable government

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Michael Murphy is an IT professional and Chicago resident running for Cook County Board President, per the campaign site. He describes himself as a grassroots candidate rather than a career politician, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotCook County Assessor

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Cook County Board President in 2026?

When is the Cook County Board President election in Illinois?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Illinois are on the Illinois election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Cook County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Cook County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Illinois election office, or see the full Cook County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Cook County ballot

135 tracked races in Cook County, Illinois. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Cook County Clerk Cook County Sheriff Cook County Treasurer See all 135 Cook County races

Candidate profiles

Toni Preckwinkle, full profile Michael Murphy, full profile Official Illinois election office