Board of Commissioners (Cook County, Illinois)

Board of Commissioners (Cook County, Illinois)
Name	Board of Commissioners
Formed	1831
Preceding1	Cook County Board of Supervisors
Jurisdiction	Cook County, Illinois
Headquarters	Cook County Building, Chicago
Chief1 name	Toni Preckwinkle
Chief1 position	President
Website	cookcountyil.gov/agency/county-board

Contents

History
Composition and election
Powers and duties
Current members
Committees
See also

Board of Commissioners (Cook County, Illinois). The Board of Commissioners is the legislative and policy-making body for Cook County, Illinois, the second-most populous county in the United States. It is responsible for enacting ordinances, approving the county budget, and overseeing the operations of major county agencies and departments. The board is presided over by an independently elected President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

History

The board traces its origins to the establishment of Cook County, Illinois in 1831, initially functioning under a Board of Supervisors model common in Illinois. A significant reorganization occurred in the early 1970s following the passage of the 1970 Illinois Constitution, which allowed for more flexible county government structures. This led to the adoption of the Cook County Board of Commissioners format, consolidating legislative authority. Throughout its history, the board has been central to major regional issues, including the development of O'Hare International Airport, the management of the Cook County Forest Preserves, and debates over sales tax policy. The board's operations have often been influenced by the political dynamics of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs.

Composition and election

The board is composed of seventeen members: sixteen district commissioners and the board president, all elected to four-year terms in partisan elections held concurrently with the United States presidential election. Commissioners are elected from single-member districts drawn to reflect population equality following each United States Census. The President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners is elected at-large by voters across the entire county and serves as the chief executive officer of the county government. This structure ensures representation for both the city of Chicago and the numerous suburban municipalities within the county's borders.

Powers and duties

The board holds primary legislative authority for Cook County, Illinois. Its core powers include levying property taxes, authorizing bond issuances, and approving the annual operating budget for all county functions, including the Cook County Health system and the Cook County Sheriff's Office. The board enacts ordinances on matters of county-wide concern, such as public health regulations, environmental policy, and economic development initiatives. It also holds confirmation power over major appointments made by the board president, such as the heads of the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways and the Cook County Assessor's Office.

Current members

As of the most recent general election, the board's president is Toni Preckwinkle. The sixteen district commissioners represent a mix of Democratic and Republican members, reflecting the political diversity between Chicago and its suburbs. Notable commissioners have included leaders involved with the Cook County Zoning Board of Appeals and oversight of the Cook County Jail. The board's composition is detailed on the official website of the Cook County Clerk.

Committees

The board conducts much of its policy work through a system of standing committees, each focused on a specific area of county government. Key committees include the Finance Committee, which reviews the budget and fiscal matters; the Health and Hospitals Committee, overseeing the Cook County Health system; and the Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee. Other important committees address topics such as Forest Preserves, Corrections, and Property Tax Appeals. These committees hold public hearings, review proposed ordinances, and make recommendations to the full board.