Toni Preckwinkle

Toni Preckwinkle

DemocraticCook County Board President
↗ Campaign site

Raised

$2,043,023

THE JACKET

Who funds Toni Preckwinkle?

$2,043,023

Source: https://www.illinoissunshine.org/committees/21644/

labor$1,754,960(68%)
individual$668,100(26%)
pac$167,340(6%)
laborindividualpac
DonorCategoryAmountStatus
SEIU Illinois Council PAC Fundlabor$546,200confirmed
SEIU Illinois State Council PAClabor$450,217confirmed
I.U.O.E. Local 399 (Operating Engineers)individual$253,000confirmed
Jay Robert Pritzker Revocable Trust (Gov. Pritzker)individual$250,000confirmed
SEIU Healthcare IL IN PAClabor$240,243confirmed
IBEW Local 134 State & Munilabor$205,300confirmed
Illinois Hospital Association PACpac$167,340confirmed
JB For Governorindividual$165,100confirmed
Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters PAClabor$162,900confirmed
Teamsters Volunteers in Politicslabor$150,100confirmed

Red Flags

⚠️ethicsConnected to Ald. Burke Federal Corruption Case

Preckwinkle returned over $100,000 in fundraising linked to indicted Chicago Alderman Edward Burke following his 2019 federal corruption charges — a documented fact per Chicago Tribune reporting. Reports have also alleged she hired Burke's son as a six-figure county employee, though this has not been independently confirmed. Preckwinkle was not charged in connection with the Burke case and has denied any quid pro quo arrangement.

Source: → https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/preckwinkle-burke

⚠️ethicsTyler Technologies contract scandal — $265M+ in contracts and $122M in borrowing

Tyler Technologies contract scandal — $265M+ in contracts and $122M in borrowing by other taxing bodies; delayed 2024 tax bills; Preckwinkle acknowledged project was 'bumpy'

Source: → https://tonipreckwinkle.org

⚠️ethicsMachine politician ties — chairs Cook County Democratic Party, uses endorsement

Machine politician ties — chairs Cook County Democratic Party, uses endorsement power as de facto patronage (per critics)

Source: → https://tonipreckwinkle.org

⚠️ethics2026: Supported ICE data-sharing contract renewal — contradicts stated sanctuary

2026: Supported ICE data-sharing contract renewal — contradicts stated sanctuary city values; several board commissioners abstained in protest

Source: → https://tonipreckwinkle.org

⚠️ethicsSales tax hike (2015) after campaigning against it in 2010 — documented broken c

Sales tax hike (2015) after campaigning against it in 2010 — documented broken campaign promise

Source: → https://tonipreckwinkle.org

⚠️ethicsDonor base dominated by public-sector unions (SEIU, AFSCME, Operating Engineers,

Donor base dominated by public-sector unions (SEIU, AFSCME, Operating Engineers, Carpenters) — raises potential conflicts with county labor negotiations

Source: → https://tonipreckwinkle.org

⚠️Tyler Technologies contract scandal — $265M+ in contracts and $122M in borrowing by other taxing bodies; delayed 2024 tax bills; Preckwinkle acknowledged project was 'bumpy'

Source:

⚠️Machine politician ties — chairs Cook County Democratic Party, uses endorsement power as de facto patronage (per critics)

Source:

⚠️2026: Supported ICE data-sharing contract renewal — contradicts stated sanctuary city values; several board commissioners abstained in protest

Source:

⚠️Sales tax hike (2015) after campaigning against it in 2010 — documented broken campaign promise

Source:

⚠️Donor base dominated by public-sector unions (SEIU, AFSCME, Operating Engineers, Carpenters) — raises potential conflicts with county labor negotiations

Source:

Bio

Toni Preckwinkle is the incumbent Cook County Board President, first elected in 2010, and chair of the Cook County Democratic Party. She previously served as a Chicago alderperson representing the 4th Ward for nearly two decades. (Source: Cook County official website; WTTW Voter Guide 2026)

Prior office: Cook County Board President (2010–present); Chicago Alderman (4th Ward, 1991–2010)

Key Votes

  • record2015: Pushed through Cook County sales tax increase (1% → restore Stroger-era ta

    2015: Pushed through Cook County sales tax increase (1% → restore Stroger-era tax) to fund pensions — later drew attack ads citing 2010 campaign promise not to raise it

  • record2017: Led sweetened beverage tax (soda tax) — repealed after 4 months following

    2017: Led sweetened beverage tax (soda tax) — repealed after 4 months following industry-funded backlash campaign

  • record2020-2024: Oversaw Tyler Technologies contract for property tax system upgrade —

    2020-2024: Oversaw Tyler Technologies contract for property tax system upgrade — cost overruns totaling $265M+ and delayed tax bills in 2024, acknowledged as troubled

  • record2024: Cook County board approved sunsetting of Sheriff's electronic monitoring p

    2024: Cook County board approved sunsetting of Sheriff's electronic monitoring program, transferring oversight to Chief Judge

  • record2025-2026: Supported renewal of data contract with company providing information

    2025-2026: Supported renewal of data contract with company providing information to ICE and federal agencies — drew criticism from immigrant advocates

  • record16 years: Balanced budgets, 4 bond rating upgrades, no property tax/fee increase

    16 years: Balanced budgets, 4 bond rating upgrades, no property tax/fee increases in recent years, pension funding improved from near-insolvency to 66% funded

  • recordCriminal justice reform champion — reduced pretrial detention, led Cook County H

    Criminal justice reform champion — reduced pretrial detention, led Cook County Health expansion, supported Kim Foxx as State's Attorney