Overview

• Reilly casts Cook County government as "broken," citing public safety concerns, rising budgets and property taxes, and a costly property‑tax technology upgrade that delayed bills.
• He pledges larger budgets for State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke and Sheriff Tom Dart to expand staffing and countywide public safety efforts.
• The 42nd Ward alderman positions himself to Preckwinkle’s right as an independent Democrat with business and development experience.
• He says his campaign has already secured more than enough valid petition signatures and plans to begin rolling out endorsements in the coming weeks.
• Preckwinkle, a four‑term incumbent and chair of the county Democratic Party, retains strong support from progressive allies and public‑sector unions, setting up a difficult path for the challenger.