Morrison Faces Calandriello In 17th District Cook County Board Race

ORLAND PARK, IL — Democratic nominee Dan Calandriello will face off against GOP incumbent Sean Morrison for 17th District Cook County Board of Commissioner in November.

Calandriello won the Democratic nomination in last week’s low-turnout Illinois gubernatorial primary after winning 11,205 votes to opponent Lou Gale’s 9,545, according to uncertified election results.

“With help from many of you, we were able to build a broad-based coalition of support, ranging from labor unions, local democratic organizations, advocacy groups and most importantly family and friends,” Calandriello said in a statement on his Dan For Cook Facebook page.

Calandriello won support from several prominent labor unions and interest groups, including the Chicago Federation of Labor, LiUNA, AFSCME Council 31, and the Teamsters Joint Council 25.

“Looking forward to November, the campaign ahead won’t be easy, but we have an incredible opportunity to share our solutions to the most pressing issues facing our communities,” he wrote to supporters. “These include rising crime and gun violence, awareness of and access to mental health services, and the need for infrastructure improvements.”

Calandriello is a former Orland Park village trustee and Cook County assistant state’s attorney. He resides in Orland Park with his wife and three children. He has a private law practice in Palos Hills.

Acknowledging a tough campaign ahead, If elected, Calandriello says he will support term limits and donate a portion of his salary back to local charities including veteran organizations, animal welfare organizations and public safety groups because “being a commissioner is not about personal gain but about making a positive change in our community.”

In his re-election bid, Morrison claimed a big win in the Republican Primary against Elizabeth “Liz” Doody Gorman, whom he accused of running a “dishonest” campaign. Unofficial results showed Morrison with 11,583 votes (57%) to Gorman’s 8,736 (43%).

Morrison, a private security industry executive, was appointed Cook County Commissioner of the 17th District in 2015 and elected to a full 4-year term in 2018. He touts leading efforts to successfully cut $200 million from the county budge the same year. Morrison also authored the ordinance to successfully repeal the controversial Cook County Sweetened Beverage (Soda) Tax in 2017.

He currently chairs the Cook County Board’s Workers' Compensation Committee, and is the vice chairman of the Technology and Innovation and Audit committees.

“I will continue to stand on my conservative principles of limited government, fiscal responsibility, and lower taxes,” Morrison said after the June 28 primary. “I will also remain committed to challenging the 'soft on crime' policies that have endangered communities all across Cook County.”

The 17th District of Cook County covers communities in all of Lemont Township, and parts of Bremen, Elk Grove, Leyden, Lyons, Maine, Orland, Palos, Proviso, Worth and Riverside townships.