The Cook County Board’s only Republican-held seat, located in the 17th District, has become a focal point of the county’s November 7 elections as Democrats seek to flip control. The race intensified after outgoing Commissioner Sean Morrison publicly criticized the Republican nominee, Liz Gorman, urging voters to support other GOP candidates but to reject her.
The 17th District spans the county’s western border, from the O’Hare and Schaumburg areas in the north to more traditionally conservative suburbs such as Palos Park, Palos Hills, and Orland Park in the south. Gorman, who previously held the seat before Morrison, is attempting a political comeback against Democratic challenger Elyse Hoffenberg, Lyon Township’s clerk and a former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney.
Morrison’s denunciation of Gorman came in a lengthy social media post on Thursday, labeling her unfit for public office and highlighting past intraparty conflicts and controversial use of endorsements. Gorman acknowledged “major divisions” within the local Republican ranks but denied misrepresenting endorsements. She said she never sought Morrison’s backing, citing concerns about his ongoing legal dispute involving a former employee.
The contest for the 17th District seat is part of a broader Democratic effort, led by County Board President and Cook County Democratic Party Chair Toni Preckwinkle, to wrest additional control of the board. The party has invested heavily not only in the 17th District but also in two other competitive northwest suburban districts—the 9th and 15th. Currently, Democrats have allocated nearly $400,000 in in-kind support for Hoffenberg’s campaign, while additional resources have been dedicated to other battleground contests.
Preckwinkle underscored the significance of party affiliation in the current political climate, citing national dynamics and criticizing the Republican Party’s alignment with former President Donald Trump. She also flagged concerns about the county’s budget sustainability amid potential federal cuts to Medicare and Medicaid programs. Despite these pressures, local voters have identified property taxes as their primary concern.
Hoffenberg, backed by labor unions including the Chicago Federation of Labor, has pledged to control the county’s tax burden, expand the tax base, and improve infrastructure and accessibility to county services. In contrast, Gorman, whose campaign has been largely funded by mailers financed by a combination of her own resources and state GOP contributions, emphasizes property tax relief and government consolidation to reduce costs.
The 17th District race has also been marked by controversies involving surveillance allegations and intra-party tensions. Hoffenberg criticized Gorman for seeking access to security footage related to an altercation involving a local mayor, raising suspicions of political maneuvering. Township Supervisor Chris Getty, implicated by some in possible coordination, denied any involvement, and Gorman has not revealed her sources.
Elsewhere on the board, several other key races are underway. In the 9th District, Democrat Maggie Trevor, the board’s first openly lesbian member, faces Republican Jon Luers, who replaced an earlier GOP nominee. Trevor has defended expansions of county health services amid federal Medicaid cuts and highlighted environmental initiatives during her tenure.
The 15th District, historically a Republican stronghold, is now contested as Democrat Ted Mason, a former aide to outgoing Commissioner Kevin Morrison, seeks re-election against Republican Daniel Lee, a local economic development commissioner. Mason has emphasized access to county services and public transit, while Lee has focused on fiscal conservatism.
Other districts include the 12th, where Democrat Elizabeth Granato contends with Republican Xiaoli “Alice” Hu, and several uncontested or solidly Democratic incumbents across the county. Democrats aim to maintain and expand their majority on a board that plays a critical role in managing county finances, infrastructure, and services amidst ongoing economic and political challenges.