8 Things to Know Before Running for Local Office
September 27, 2023
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JoinRun for County Executive Head in Cook County County, IL
Election Date: Nov 3, 2026Filing Deadline: Jun 22, 2026
Election Details
- Office level: county
- Length of term: 4 years
- Commitment level: Full Time
- Affiliation: partisan
- Typical salary: $170,000
- Is this a runoff election? No
- Is this a primary election? No
- Filing period: Jun 15, 2026 - Jun 22, 2026
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Job description
The President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners is the Chief Executive Officer of Cook County. The President oversees the Offices Under the President and is charged with presenting a balanced budget to the Board of Commissioners. The president presides over the meetings of the County Board and directly supervises departments which provide a variety of direct and support services to the residents of Cook County, appoints, with the advice and consent of the Board, persons to serve on various boards and commissions, with the advice and consent of the County Board, negotiates on behalf of the County with governmental units and private sector for the purpose of promoting economic growth and development.
Eligibility requirements
Candidate must be a current resident of Cook county, and must have been a resident for the previous 2 years prior to election or appointment.
Filing instructions
Filing office address: 118 N Clark St, Rm 230, Chicago, IL 60602
Filing phone number: 312-603-5656
Paperwork instructions: Submit paperwork to the County Clerk's office.
Filing requirements: No filing fee; Signature requirement 0.5% of the qualified electors of their party who cast votes at the last preceding general election in their county. Independent candidates: Not less than 5% nor more than 8% (or 50 more than the minimum, whichever is greater), signed by qualified voters of the county, of the total number of persons who voted at the last General Election in the county.
FAQ
How often is County Executive Head elected?
The position of County Executive Head is typically elected every 4 years.
What does it mean for an election to be partisan?
Partisan elections require candidates to declare a party affiliation, like Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or Independent.
What are the filing requirements to get on the ballot in Cook County County, IL?
No filing fee; Signature requirement 0.5% of the qualified electors of their party who cast votes at the last preceding general election in their county. Independent candidates: Not less than 5% nor more than 8% (or 50 more than the minimum, whichever is greater), signed by qualified voters of the county, of the total number of persons who voted at the last General Election in the county.
Where do I submit my candidate paperwork?
Submit paperwork to the County Clerk's office.
Where is the filing office?
118 N Clark St, Rm 230, Chicago, IL 60602.
How can I get in touch with the filing office?
You can contact the filing office by calling 312-603-5656.
How do I get started running for County Executive Head?
You can start running for County Executive Head by checking to ensure you meet all filing deadlines and requirements. Next, you can prepare to file for office and start planning your campaign strategy. Get in touch with our team of campaign experts for help with any step of the campaign process!
Is there a primary or runoff election for this office?
The next election for County Executive Head does not include a primary or runoff election.
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