Alderman Brendan Reilly to challenge Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle in primary

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Alderman Brendan Reilly announced that he is running to challenge Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle in the March 2026 primary.

Reilly has been talking about for months, but now it is official.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

"I am running for County Board President because Cook County government is broken and is long overdue for change," Reilly said. "I promise to fight every day for the people of Cook County and against anyone who disrespects them or threatens their livelihood, including the President of the United States."

Reilly said the pillars of his campaign are safer communities, modern infrastructure and a more efficient local government.

"People in every corner of Cook County want the same thing: safe neighborhoods, good schools and a fair chance to build a future," Reilly said. "Instead, people are paying more and getting a lot less to show for it. I'm running to change that. I've spent my career fighting for the people against the insiders, crooks and shady deals that infect local government. Now I'm ready to lead Cook County with transparency and integrity."

It's an uphill battle Brendan Reilly is ready to taken on. The longtime downtown alderman says it's time for Preckwinkle to go. The 78-year-old has been president of the Cook County board since 2010.

"We've had 40 years of Tony Preckwinkle in public service, and it's pretty clear that Cook County government is not working for the average person who lives here," Reilly said.

The Cook County board is in charge of a massive budget that includes funding the sheriff and state's attorney offices and providing unserved residents with a county health care system that serves as a social safety net. Reilly accuses Preckwinkle of being irresponsible with tax dollars.

"This budget has ballooned by almost triple during Toni Preckwinkle's tenure as county president," Reilly said. "Can the average voter here say that they've seen a tripling in the services they received from Cook County? And I think the answer is probably no."

SEE ALSO | Longtime Congressman Danny Davis to not seek reelection, endorses LaShawn Ford

Reilly says when Preckwinkle took office 15 years ago, the Cook County budget was about 3.6 billion dollars, today it is almost 10 billion. Reilly not only faces a long serving incumbent, but one that is head of the Cook County Democratic Party.

ABC7 Political analyst Laura Washington says Preckwinkle's power and ability to raise money will be difficult for Reilly to beat.

"They say the machine instead, but she has her own machine as a Cook County leader, as the head of the party, so she's going to drive that home," Washington said.

Reilly has been the alderman of the 42nd Ward since 2007. The 53-year-old's background includes working for Mike Madigan in his 20s. Reilly says he ran campaigns that beat many state republicans. Reilly's decision to run follows his recent sobriety.

"I made the right choice to give up drinking and get my life in order, and I've done that. I'm very proud of it. Was a difficult decision, a difficult thing to do, but I'm glad I did it," Reilly said.

A written statement from the Preckwinkle campaign reads in part, "While her opponent lobs soundbites from the sidelines, Toni is in Washington right now fighting Trump's attacks on public service and defending health care as a basic right. That's real leadership."

While he would not name names, Ald. Reilly says there are a number of elected officials who plan to support him. Reilly views himself as a centrist democrat. Preckwinkle is a longtime progressive.