Cook County Board President Race Heats Up Ahead of 2026 Primary

Longtime incumbent Toni Preckwinkle faces challenge from Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The race for Cook County Board President is heating up as incumbent Toni Preckwinkle seeks a fifth term in office, facing a challenge from longtime Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly in the Democratic primary. The Cook County Board President oversees the county's $10 billion budget and 22,000 employees, with responsibilities ranging from public health to the court system and transportation.

Why it matters

The Cook County Board President is a powerful position that shapes policies and spending priorities for the nation's second-largest county. The outcome of this race could have significant impacts on issues like criminal justice reform, public infrastructure, and social services in the Chicago metropolitan area.

The details

Preckwinkle, 79, has held the position since 2010 after serving nearly 20 years as a Chicago alderman. Reilly, 54, has represented the 42nd Ward on the Chicago City Council since 2007 and is seen as an independent voice, often voting with more conservative council members. There are no Republicans on the ballot, and Cook County has not elected a Republican Board President since 1966.

  • Preckwinkle is seeking a fifth term as Cook County Board President in the 2026 primary election.
  • Reilly, a longtime Chicago alderman, is challenging Preckwinkle in the Democratic primary.

The players

Toni Preckwinkle

The incumbent Cook County Board President, who has held the position since 2010 after serving nearly 20 years as a Chicago alderman.

Brendan Reilly

A Chicago alderman who has represented the 42nd Ward since 2007, and is challenging Preckwinkle in the Democratic primary for Cook County Board President.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in Chicago, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The Democratic primary election for Cook County Board President is scheduled for March 2026.

The takeaway

The race for Cook County Board President is shaping up to be a high-stakes battle between the long-serving incumbent Toni Preckwinkle and the independent-minded Chicago alderman Brendan Reilly. The outcome could have significant implications for the Chicago region's policies and priorities in the years ahead.