Voter Information
Plan ahead to ensure that your vote counts
Voting by Mail
Any registered voter can vote by mail. You do not need a reason.
Regardless of how you apply, the signature on your ballot will be compared against the signature in your voter file before your ballot is counted.
If you receive a ballot by mail but decide you want to early vote or vote on Election Day in person, you must bring your mail ballot with you to be voided. Otherwise, you will have to fill out a provisional ballot (after completing a provisional-ballot affidavit), which may or may not be counted after the election.
Early Voting Now Underway in Chicago & Suburban Cook
Suburban Residents
Click the button below to be directed to the Cook County Clerk's website for information on voter registration, voting by mail, early voting locations and hours, working on election day, and more.
Chicago Residents
Click the button below to be directed to the Chicago Board of Elections' website detailing information on voter registration, voting by mail, early voting locations and hours, and more.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Property Tax Appeal Webinars for Niles Township
Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Dan Patlak will be holding multiple property assessment appeal webinars for taxpayers seeking to appeal their 2020 property tax assessments. The webinars include a presentation explaining the appeal procedure at the Board of Review. Analysts will be available online via chat to answer specific questions and concerns. This event is free to the public, and there is no fee to appeal at the Board of Review.
The webinars are co-sponsored by Cook County Commissioner Peter Silvestri and Niles Township Assessor Scott Bagnall.
The hour-long webinars will be held on:
Thursday, October 22
11:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 29
11:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.
Forest Preserve District of Cook County
Experience fall colors at the forest preserves
Know before you go . . .
It's best to identify your area of interest and check the forest preserve map below indicating what is open and when.
Here are a few key updates:
- A limited number of public bathrooms are open. Please plan and time your visit accordingly.
- Gatherings are limited to 25 people or fewer. Gatherings of 25 to 50 people (with physical distancing) will be allowed with an existing permit.
- To book permits for event dates from now through the end of this year, please call 800-870-3666 (option 1) or email fpd.permits@cookcountyil.gov.
- Bring your own food and water.
- Group sports are allowed. Sports leagues or groups with 25 to 50 people require a permit.
- Picnic tables are available for use.
- Grills and coolers are allowed.
- Go Ape Treetop Adventure Course and boat rentals are open with restrictions and limited capacity.
- Aquatic Centers will not open in 2020.
Reminders:
- All social distancing requirements apply. Wear a cloth mask.
- Do not visit the forest preserves if you are sick or experiencing symptoms, or if you have been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last two weeks.
- Carry and use hand sanitizer if you touch handrails or other surfaces.
- If you witness people not observing social distancing guidelines, please call the forest preserve non-emergency number: 708-771-1000.
- Stay at home if you are sick or experiencing symptoms.
Coronavirus
We have gotten this far . . .
We have all sacrificed to help stop the spread and flatten the curve. With the gradual reopening, our numbers are understandably creeping up. Now is NOT the time to let our guard down. Wearing masks and practicing social distancing is still required. We can handle that, and we must if we want to see Phase 5. For updated COVID-19 information, please visit the websites below.
Illinois Phase 4 Guidelines
Governor Pritzker has authorized Illinois to begin following Phase 4 Guidelines. Health and fitness providers, day camps, film production, museums, and others are among the industries with new guidelines.
Some of the minimum guidelines that are uniform across all businesses, industries, and nonprofits within the state include:
- All employees who can work from home should continue to do so.
- Continue to wear face coverings that cover nose and mouth.
- Social distance of at least 6 feet should be maintained between non-household individuals.
- All employees must complete health and safety training.
- All employers must provide a wellness screening upon entry into the workplace and mid-shift screenings when applicable.
- Employers are to limit elevator capacity to allow for 6-feet of distance.
City of Chicago Phase 4 Guidelines
Widespread testing is available--at no cost to you
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act provides for free COVID-19 testing and related office visits for those who need it, including reimbursement for the uninsured. There are a number of requirements so check with your provider for details.
New Cook County Community Recovery Fund
Cook County’s Bureau of Economic Development has launched The Community Recovery Fund as part of the Community Recovery Initiative. This loan fund offers one-time, zero-interest loans of up to $20,000 for small businesses and $10,000 for independent contractors in suburban Cook County. Loans will be administered by the Chicago Community Loan Fund and provided by a network of community lenders.
To apply, businesses and independent contractors in suburban Cook County must meet these requirements:
- Small Businesses
- Fewer than 25 employees
- Less than $3 million in revenue
- Gig Workers
- At least half of income from 1099 contract work
- Less than $100,000 in gross annual income
To learn more about the initiative and sign up for updates for when the application period opens,
Brookfield Zoo is back!
Brookfield Zoo is offering a limited reopening (all indoor spaces remain closed) with new guidelines, including reserved timed entry and parking. No tickets will be sold on site. Food, beverage, and gift shop transactions must be via credit/debit card.
Reserve your time now
Everything you need to know about Cook County
My door is always open . . .
Cook County is responsible for providing essential services in the areas of public safety, public health, the court system, elections, tax assessment and appeals, recording deeds, and managing forest preserves. As an independent-minded member of the Board, I have worked hard to combine fiscal responsibility with social awareness. I am honored to serve the people of the 9th district, which includes: portions of the far northwest side of Chicago; Park Ridge, River Forest, Elmwood Park, Harwood Heights, Mount Prospect, Norridge, River Grove, Rosemont, and Schiller Park; portions of Arlington Heights, Melrose Park, Morton Grove, Niles, and Prospect Heights; and unincorporated Norwood Park, Maine, and Wheeling Townships.
Cook County government is here for you
Click below for a complete list of:
- Resident services
- How to do business
- County elected officials
- Agencies
- Meeting calendar