2002 Cook County, Illinois, elections

2002 was a midterm election year in the United States. The primaries and general elections for Cook County races coincided with those for federal (Senate and House) and those for state elections.

In the 2002 Cook County Assessor election, incumbent Assessor James Houlihan, a Democrat first appointed in 1997 who was reelected in 1998, was again reelected.[7]

2002 Cook County Clerk election

November 5, 2002
Turnout	47.75%[1][2]
Candidate David Orr Kathleen A. Thomas Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 992,441 311,552 Percentage 76.11% 23.89%
Clerk before election David Orr Democratic Elected Clerk David Orr Democratic

In the 2002 Cook County Clerk election, incumbent third-term Clerk David Orr, a Democrat, was reelected.

In the 2002 Cook County Sheriff election, incumbent third-term Sheriff Michael F. Sheahan, a Democrat, was reelected.

In the 2002 Cook County Treasurer election, incumbent first-term Treasurer Maria Pappas, a Democrat, was reelected.

In the 2002 President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners election, incumbent second-term President John Stroger, a Democrat, was reelected.

Stroger was only the forth person ever to win three elections for president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners.[8]

2002 Cook County Board of Commissioners election

November 5, 2002
All 17 seats on the Cook County Board of Commissioners 9 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party   Party Democratic Republican Seats before 12 5 Seats won 12 5 Seat change Popular vote 877,738 299,652 Percentage 74.55% 25.45% Swing 4.16% 4.16%

The 2002 Cook County Board of Commissioners election saw all seventeen seats of the Cook County Board of Commissioners up for election to four-year terms.

As these were the first elections held following the 2000 United States Census, the seats faced redistricting before this election.

2002 Cook County Board of Review election

November 5, 2002
3 of 3 seats on the Cook County Board of Review 2 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party   Party Democratic Republican Seats before 2 1 Seats after 2 1 Seat change Seats up 2 1 Races won 2 1

In the 2002 Cook County Board of Review election, all three seats, two Democratic-held and one Republican-held, were up for election.

Beginning with the 2002 elections, the Cook County Board of Review has had its three seats rotate the length of terms. In a staggered fashion (in which no two seats have coinciding two-year terms), the seats rotate between two consecutive four-year terms and a two-year term.[9]

As this was the first elections held following the 2000 United States Census, the seats faced redistricting before this election.

2002 Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago election

November 5, 2002
3 of 9 seats on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago 5 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party   Party Democratic Republican Seats before 9 0 Seats after 9 0 Seat change Seats up 3 0 Races won 3 0

In the 2006 Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago election, three of the nine seats on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago board were up for election in an at-large race.[3][4] Since three six-year seats were up for election, voters could vote for up to three candidates and the top-three finishers would win.

Two Democratic incumbents Kathy Meany and Cynthia Santos, won reelection. They were joined in being elected by fellow Democrat Frank Avila. One Democratic incumbent, Martin Sandoval, had withdrawn ahead of the Democratic primary.[1][2][10]

Partisan elections were held for judgeships on the Circuit Court of Cook County, due to vacancies.[1][2] Other judgeships had retention elections.

Partisan elections were also held for subcircuit courts judgeships due to vacancies.[1][2] Other judgeships had retention elections.

Coinciding with the primaries, elections were held to elect both the Democratic and Republican committeemen for the suburban townships.[4]

• 2002 Illinois elections