Preckwinkle, Keats Win Cook County Board President Primary
Chicago Ald. Toni Preckwinkle will likely be the next Cook County Board President.
With 84.65 percent of precincts reporting, Preckwinkle has captured 50 percent of the vote and accepted the primary nomination, edging out four other Democratic cadidates in the race: incumbent President Todd Stroger, Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown, and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District president Terrence O'Brien.
"Today the residents of Cook County have all spoken with one voice," said Preckwinkle from her election headquarters. "Their message is clear: Now is the time. Now is the time to repeal the Stroger sales tax. Now is the time to end patronage. Now is the time to cut waste while protecting health care, human service, public safety, and forest services."
Preckwinkle voted earlier Tuesday at the Church of Latter Day Saints on Chicago's South Side. Her likely Republican challenger is Roger Keats, a retired 16-year state senator.
Keats has 60 percent of the vote, with 90 percent of precincts reporting.
Among Preckwinkle's top priorities is the progressive scaling back of the one percent sales tax passed by Stroger in 2007. The goal is to repeal the tax.
Results: Illinois 2010 Primary Elections
Candidate Profile: Toni Preckwinkle for Cook County Board President
Candidate Profile: Roger Keats for Cook County Board President
Full Coverage: Illinois Elections 2010
Posted Tuesday, Feb 2, 2010 - 9:04 PM CST
