Preckwinkle Holds Big Lead Over Reilly in Cook County Board President Race

Longtime incumbent Toni Preckwinkle appears headed for victory in the Democratic primary against challenger Brendan Reilly.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 1:41am

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With 77% of precincts reporting, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle led her Democratic primary challenger Brendan Reilly by a margin of about 68% to 32%. Preckwinkle, a four-term incumbent, is running on a record of balancing budgets, erasing medical debt, and implementing criminal justice reforms, while Reilly, a Chicago alderman, has focused his campaign on issues of crime and public safety.

Why it matters

The Cook County Board President is a powerful position that oversees the second-largest county government in the United States. Preckwinkle's potential victory would cement her status as the longest-serving leader of Cook County, matching the record set by George Dunne. The outcome of this race could have significant implications for the county's policies and priorities in areas like criminal justice, public health, and fiscal management.

The details

Preckwinkle, who turned 79 on primary Election Day, has served as Cook County Board President since 2010. She has touted her record of balancing budgets, erasing medical debt for low-income residents, and making a guaranteed income pilot program permanent. She has also championed the state's criminal justice reform law. Reilly, a 54-year-old Chicago alderman, has made crime and public safety the centerpiece of his campaign, criticizing failures in the county's electronic monitoring program and calling for changes to the property tax billing system.

  • The Democratic primary election was held on March 17, 2026.

The players

Toni Preckwinkle

The four-term incumbent Cook County Board President who is seeking to match the record as the longest-tenured head of county government.

Brendan Reilly

A Chicago alderman who is the Democratic primary challenger to Preckwinkle, focusing his campaign on issues of crime and public safety.

George Dunne

The previous longest-serving Cook County Board President, whose record Preckwinkle is seeking to match.

Brandon Johnson

The current mayor of Chicago and a protégé of Preckwinkle.

Tom Dart

The Cook County Sheriff, whose office Reilly wants to put in charge of the county's electronic monitoring program.

Charles Beach

The Chief Judge of Cook County, whose office currently oversees the county's electronic monitoring program.

Michael Murphy

A Libertarian candidate who will be on the general election ballot for Cook County Board President.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

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

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.