Voter registration promoted in Cook Co. over MLK holiday weekend

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Next Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and people in Cook County are being encouraged to honor his legacy by registering to vote.

County leaders say they're working with civic and faith-based groups to get more people to sign up. Dr. King fought for voting rights and civil equality and county leaders are asking people to lead a similar effort in their communities.

"We believe one of the great ways to honor Martin Luther King Jr. is to understand we can make our society better, our government more accountable if people register and vote," Cook County Clerk David Orr said.

Officials said there are roughly 2 million people who are legally able to vote in Illinois, but are not registered.