County commissioner candidates discuss local issues ahead of Election Day

Candidates running for Cook County commissioner in Districts 1 and 5 recently spoke with WTIP about local issues and their priorities ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

District 1 Candidate Forum – Deb White and Matt Kelm

On Monday, Sept. 28, WTIP hosted a one-hour live candidate forum featuring incumbent Deb White and challenger Matt Kelm, who are running for the Cook County Commissioner District 1 seat.

Topics included issues facing Cook County, housing and the cost of living, county spending, the county’s relationship with the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the county’s role in providing services to children and families, emergency response, growth on the east end of the county, and more. Below is audio of the candidate forum, moderated by WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins.

District 1 Candidates Matt Kelm and Deb White | Photo by Kalli Hawkins

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District 5 Candidate Chris Homyak

District 5 Commissioner Candidate Chris Homyak | Photo by Kalli Hawkins

Chris Homyak is running unopposed for the District 5 seat on the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Ginny Storlie has held the seat for over a decade but announced earlier this year that she would not seek re-election.

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Homyak individually about his background and interest in running for county commissioner, as well as issues facing the county, including housing and the cost of living, potential development of Taconite Harbor, county spending, emergency services, and the county’s relationship with the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Audio is below.

District 3 Candidate Forum – Dave Mills and Roger Westerlind

Last week, on Monday, Sept. 21, WTIP hosted a live candidate forum featuring incumbent Dave Mills and Roger Westerlind, who are running for the Cook County Commissioner District 3 seat. Audio of that candidate forum is below.

Kalli Hawkins September 29, 2026