Republican Elizabeth “Liz” Doody Gorman ran unopposed in seeking a fourth term on the Cook County Board’s 17th District.
Democrat Jim Hickey withdrew his name from the ballot Oct. 24, said Courtney Greve, spokeswoman for the Cook County Clerk’s Office. Ballots had been printed and early voting had started, but the office suppressed Hickey’s election results at his request, Greve said.
Hickey, president of the Orland Fire Protection District, was unopposed in the party’s primary in March, and since then, Gorman and others detected little or no campaigning from him.
Gorman said she was pleased with winning another term on the board, and was concentrating on an election night vigil in the governor’s hotly contested race, hopeful for a victory for Bruce Rauner.
Although she encountered no opposition, Gorman said she took advantage of the opportunity to connect with voters and promote her record during the campaign season.
Gorman said she will continue to work toward reducing the county’s long-term debt by promoting an economic climate for job growth and relieving the tax burden. She said she is studying incentives being sought by southwest area builders to develop vacant property and create jobs.
A top priority is upgrading technology and infrastructure to create operating efficiencies in the county.
The biggest challenge facing the County Board is finding additional funding for pensions, she said, though she didn’t offer a solution.
Hickey expressed interest, but didn’t run in 2014 for the 2nd Congressional seat vacated by Jesse Jackson Jr. Hickey lost to Bill Foster in the 2012 primary for the 11th Congressional District. His term expires in 2015 on the Orland Fire Protection District Board.
The 17th District stretches from Des Plaines and Park Ridge, along Interstate 294 through Westchester, Western Springs, La Grange, LaGrange Park, Indian Head Park, eastern Hinsdale and Burr Ridge and south through the southwestern suburbs, which is Gorman’s home base. She also is seeking reelection as the Orland Township Republican Committeeman.