The candidates for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk square off and talk integrity, amnesty and modernization in our first candidate forum.

Twenty Cook County defendants deemed unfit to stand trial are to be placed in a mental health facility. So why are they sitting in jail instead?

A penny-per-ounce soda tax could be coming to Cook County. We talk with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle about that and her 2017 budget goals.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office prosecutes crimes committed in Cook County, serves as legal counsel for Cook County government agencies, and serves as legal counsel for all Cook County public officials. Learn about the candidates.

The Cook County Board of Review is a three-member board, elected from three electoral districts, that hears and decides taxpayer complaints on assessed value or exempt status of real property in Cook County. Learn about the candidates.

The office of the Recorder of Deeds records, stores and provides information that is accurate, legible, timely and easily retrievable for public and private use. Learn about the candidate.

The Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County is the keeper of the records of the Court, responsible for serving the court, the legal profession and the general public by recording court decisions and events. Learn about the candidates.

"As commissioner, I have worked to ensure homeowners and property owners receive a full and fair review of the assessed values of their property so they pay only their fair share in property taxes, while also guaranteeing schools and local communities receive these tax proceeds on time." Learn more about this candidate.

"To provide fair and impartial hearings in a timely, professional and cost efficient manner for taxpayers who are contesting their property tax assessment." Learn more about this candidate.

 "I am running for State’s Attorney because our criminal justice system is broken–and incumbent State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez is part of the problem." Learn more about this candidate.

"My guiding vision for the Cook County Recorder of Deeds is 'Accuracy-Efficiency-Advocacy.' That means protecting an accurate public record of property ownership and doing it with only the minimum amount of taxpayer resources needed to get the job done." Learn more about this candidate.

“I believe the Board can do more to help the homeowners in the county.” Learn more about this candidate.

“Helping to reduce crime is the job of the State's Attorney whose job is to prosecute criminals, seek justice for crime victims, and maintain confidence in our criminal justice system.” Learn more about this candidate.

“It's important that we have a Clerk of Court that will protect court records for ALL the people, not just for the privileged few.” Learn more about this candidate.

“I am passionate about justice, and spent my life as an honorable public servant whose ethics have never been compromised.” Learn more about this candidate.