The alderman representing parts of Chicago's downtown and the West Loop now has another job on his mind.
Five-term Alderman Brendan Reilly, who represents the 42nd Ward including Streeterville, downtown and the West Loop, believes it's time for a change in Cook County government, because "county government is broken."
He's declared his candidacy for the County Board President seat now held by fellow Democrat Toni Preckwinkle, who's led the board since 2010.
Reilly points out the growth in the county budget under Preckwinkle, saying it's "ballooned from $3.6 billion dollars just ten years ago to nearly $10 billion dollars a year" without, he argued, much to show for it.
"People in Cook County don't understand the value they're getting from their government," said Reilly, who defeated 36-year City Council veteran Burton Natarus to take over the 42nd Ward seat in 2007.
The former state Democratic Party operative and A-T-and-T vice president says he'd like to see spending re-prioritized toward the county sheriff's and State's Attorney's offices.
His opponent and onetime City Council colleague is also the head of the county Democratic Party. A statement from her campaign says in part that Preckwinkle has always shown up for Cook County residents and accused Reilly of "lobbing soundbites from the sidelines."
The primary is set for March 17.