(WTTW News)

A slate of county and state offices is up for grabs in March, including state’s attorney and circuit court clerk as well as a key seat in the Illinois House to represent the city’s Northwest Side.

State Sen. Natalie Toro, in pink, takes the oath of office as the representative of the 20th District as Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Iris Martinez, in orange, looks on. (Credit: Illinois Senate Democrats)

The appointment of Natalie Toro to represent a wide swath of Chicago’s Northwest Side in the Illinois Senate sets up a fierce battle next spring as the progressive political organizations and labor unions that helped elect Mayor Brandon Johnson push to consolidate their power.

(WTTW News)

Criminal history in Cook County is long and sordid — from Al Capone to Leopold and Loeb to John Wayne Gacy. The historical figures may be long gone, but the physical documents and evidence pertaining to their cases are still around.

Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County Iris Martinez appears on “Chicago Tonight” on April 17, 2023. (WTTW News)

The employees were found to have defrauded the Paycheck Protection Program designed to help businesses stay afloat amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Iris Martinez (WTTW News)

The current Democratic state senator ran on a promise to reform an office plagued by a reputation of inefficiency and corruption.

Democratic candidates for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk, from left: Jacob Meister, Iris Martinez, Richard Boykin and Michael Cabonargi appear on a “Chicago Tonight” candidate forum. (WTTW News)

Illinois State Sen. Iris Martinez has won the Democratic primary for clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court. Martinez topped the four-way race with 31.4% of the vote. 

Democratic candidates for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk, from left: Jacob Meister, Iris Martinez, Richard Boykin and Michael Cabonargi appear on a “Chicago Tonight” candidate forum. (WTTW News)

In August, Dorothy Brown announced she would not seek reelection as clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, opening up her seat to four Democratic hopefuls. They join “Chicago Tonight” for a candidate forum.