Cook County Board President Preckwinkle and challenger Ald. Reilly make final appeals to voters

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle spent some of her last remaining hours before Election Day with voters in West Pullman and the south suburbs. She did a quick chant and posed with Percy Julian High Schools students, who are about to vote for the first time.

"In the in the last couple days, you just run from one place to the next," Preckwinkle said.



Preckwinkle is running toward history as she tries to tie former Board President George Dunne as Cook County's longest leader. Seeking her fifth term, Preckwinkle is up against downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly. He is considered her toughest opponent yet.

"People are talking about, it's time for a change, which has been our slogan throughout the campaign. A lot of energy out there, a lot of enthusiasm. Our base is certainly showing up," Reilly said.



While Reilly is campaigning on change, Preckwinkle is trying to convince voters that staying the course is what the second-largest county in the nation needs.

"I've great record of fiscal responsibility and support for our health care system, and a difficult moment when the federal government is withdrawing support for health care," Preckwinkle said.

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Both Democratic candidates have spared over donations. Reilly called on Preckwinkle to give back a donation by a developer who reportedly owes the CTA more than $1 million.

"I got modest contribution from Scott Goodman. This is just a distraction. The challenge that that my opponent has is his connection to Donald Trump. So, I think he's just flailing," Preckwinkle said.



Preckwinkle says Reilly's connection to Trump is Trump Tower, located in Reilly's ward, and the alderman's vote on changes to the city's sanctuary city ordinance.

"All the candidates running for every level of office, from Senate down to dog catcher, have been accused of being friends of Trump or MAGA, and I think that people are starting to tune that out for what it is. It's nonsense," Reilly said.

Preckwinkle turns 79 on Tuesday, which is primary day. Reilly has not made age a specific issue in the campaign. However, he has suggested that there may be voter fatigue with older politicians who have stuck around for too long.

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