Cook County leader suggests future tax hikes at budget address
(The Center Square) – Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has proposed a smaller budget for fiscal year 2027 than the county had in 2026, but her Libertarian opponent says there will be future tax increases if county government does not change course.
Preckwinkle unveiled a $9.69 billion spending plan on Thursday, down from $10.12 billion in 2026.
“We’re not asking taxpayers to solve a problem that we haven’t tried to fix ourselves first,” the board president said during her budget address to county commissioners.
Preckwinkle blamed the Trump administration for federal cuts and said a projected budget gap of $550.7 million was addressed through vacancy management, spending cuts, investment gains, and $18 million in reserve funds.
A statement from the board president’s office said the spending cuts amounted to $35 million and the stricter approach to vacancies netted $46 million.
During her speech, Preckwinkle twice hinted at future tax hikes.
“In the years ahead, we will need to consider additional revenue to preserve the health care safety net, public safety and other essential services our residents depend on,” Preckwinkle said.
Michael Murphy, the Libertarian candidate for Cook County board president on the November ballot, said it’s untrue for Preckwinkle to credit budget discipline.
“She has taken money from the federal government, money that we know that was never going to last forever, and just pretended it was going to last forever. And now we’re in this budget crisis,” Murphy told The Center Square.
Murphy said Cook County needs a long-term plan to stop losing population.
“Otherwise, yes, everybody in the municipalities are going to see their property taxes increase and continue to increase because of the loss of residents that Cook County is facing,” Murphy said.
Murphy said he would keep the budget flat and not increase property taxes.
Cook County’s interactive budget website is available online.
County officials have scheduled virtual budget briefings on Oct. 13 and Oct. 19. The county board finance committee’s public hearings are set for Oct. 15.
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