The award honors the Clerk's Office for developing the "Defenders of DA'mocracy" program in partnership with the Chicago Bears. The initiative introduced Early Voting sites at suburban high schools while allowing eligible students to serve as Election Judges during the March 2026 Illinois gubernatorial primary election. #cookcounty #award #election
The program was one of 46 initiatives recognized during this year’s awards cycle and was honored in the Communications Category for Distinguished Voter Education and Communications Initiatives. #earlyvoting #chicagobears #cookcounty
On Feb. 26, student voters alone surpassed the weeklong total from those early voting sites — a milestone county officials say highlights the program’s immediate impact. #earlyvoting #students #cookcounty
According to the Clerk’s Office, students from 24 Cook County high schools are being trained this week to operate the on-campus early voting sites. #voting #chicagobears #highschools