Dolton Trustee Kiana Belcher challenges appointee Kisha McCaskill for 5th District Cook County Board seat

The two women are competing in the March 17 Democratic primary for the seat previously held by Monica Gordon.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Dolton Trustee Kiana Belcher is running for the 5th District Cook County Board seat against Harvey Park District Executive Director Kisha McCaskill, who was appointed to the position last year. The seat was previously held by Monica Gordon, who resigned in 2024 after being elected as Cook County clerk. Belcher and McCaskill are competing in the March 17 Democratic primary.

Why it matters

The 5th District Cook County Board seat represents parts of the South Side and large sections of the south and southwest suburbs, including portions of Bloom, Bremen, Calumet, Lake, Rich, Thornton and Worth townships. The race is significant as both candidates have never been on the ballot for this seat before, and the winner will play a key role in advocating for resources and addressing issues like high property taxes and infrastructure needs in the underserved Southland region.

The details

Belcher was elected a Dolton trustee in 2021 and was reelected in 2025 as part of now-Mayor Jason House's Clean House slate. She says she wants to be an advocate for the communities of the south suburbs and ensure they get their fair share of county resources, especially with federal funds being cut. McCaskill has been executive director of the Harvey Park District since 2015 and was appointed to the county board seat last year. Her priorities include addressing high property taxes and housing instability in the Southland, as well as expanding health care services and securing a Level I trauma center for the region.

  • Gordon resigned the 5th District Cook County Board seat in 2024 after being elected as Cook County clerk in a special election.
  • McCaskill was appointed to fill the 5th District seat in January 2025.

The players

Kiana Belcher

Dolton Trustee who is challenging Kisha McCaskill in the Democratic primary for the 5th District Cook County Board seat.

Kisha McCaskill

Harvey Park District Executive Director who was appointed to the 5th District Cook County Board seat in 2025 after the previous commissioner, Monica Gordon, resigned.

Monica Gordon

The previous 5th District Cook County Board commissioner who resigned in 2024 after being elected as Cook County clerk in a special election.

Jason House

The current Mayor of Dolton, whose "Clean House" slate Belcher was elected as part of in 2025.

Tiffany Henyard

The former Mayor of Dolton, who Belcher and House's slate opposed.

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What they’re saying

“Right now, that means that it's two people on the ballot that have never been on the ballot for that seat. So we're gonna let the residents decide.”

— Kiana Belcher, Dolton Trustee (Chicago Tribune)

“I think I may have a little bit more visibility because of the whole Dolton saga. People have seen that I don't mind going against the grain, I don't mind standing up for my residents, and I'll do the same thing at the county level.”

— Kiana Belcher, Dolton Trustee (Chicago Tribune)

“For a very long time the Southland has been underserved. And when I say underserved, most of the times, when knocking on doors, people don't even know what the commissioner does.”

— Kiana Belcher, Dolton Trustee (Chicago Tribune)

“Just seeing the lack of care, just the lack of resources and lack of opportunity brought to my specific city and across the Southland, that was what catapulted me to want to do it.”

— Kisha McCaskill, Harvey Park District Executive Director (Chicago Tribune)

“Along with my fellow commissioners, of course, we've passed over 300 pieces of legislation, or resolutions, specifically for health care, affordable housing, infrastructure, economic development, and most importantly funding, specifically for small organizations and community-based organizations.”

— Kisha McCaskill, Cook County Board Commissioner (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

The March 17 Democratic primary will determine who will represent the 5th District on the Cook County Board.

The takeaway

This race highlights the importance of local representation and advocacy for underserved communities in the Southland region of Cook County. Both Belcher and McCaskill are positioning themselves as champions for their constituents, with differing approaches and priorities, and the primary election will give voters a chance to choose their preferred candidate.