Good Committeemen Needed in Cook County

Written by David E. Smith

Among Illinois conservatives, frustration with Cook County Republican leadership—and their backroom deals with Chicago Democrats—is boiling over. In many circles, that frustration has turned into outright rage. This discontent isn’t new; countless conservatives have already walked away from the party. But unrest is growing. Talk of an internal GOP civil war is becoming more frequent, and some may even buy into the idea of launching a third party—a move that would all but guarantee more victories for the Democrats.

Instead of throwing up our hands in despair, maybe it is time to intentionally and diligently work to get more Christian conservatives to run for the office of Republican Township Committeeman.

The role of township committeeman is to appoint precinct committeemen in suburban Cook County. This position of township committeeman only applies to suburban Cook County and not to Chicago. Furthermore, Cook is the only county in Illinois with this elected title and role. In Chicago, it’s the 50 GOP Ward Committeemen that can appoint Precinct Committeemen or “Captains” as they are sometimes called. 

Our hope and prayer is to fill every position in every suburban Cook County township – with truly dedicated, pro-GOP Platform, hard-working township committeemen. This will require the participation of dozens of reform-minded Republicans and their friends.

This unpaid, elected position plays a powerful role in shaping your local political party and influencing candidate endorsements, election judges, and voter engagement.

For more information about the volunteer role of a Republican Precinct Committeeman, including some frequently asked questions about the position, read What is a Republican Committeeman?

What is a Township Committeeman?

A Township Committeeman is an elected representative of a political party at the township level in suburban Cook County. They help organize the party, promote the party platform, register and/or educate voters, recruit volunteers, march in parades, appoint precinct committeemen and influence which candidates are supported. They also vote on filling vacancies in political offices and party leadership roles.

In suburban Cook County, township committeemen are elected to each political party during the March primary every four years. The next election is March 2026. To get on the ballot for the next election, candidates must circulate nominating petitions and then file them with the Cook County Clerk’s office at 118 N. Clark Street in downtown Chicago.

• Candidates can start circulating their petitions on Wednesday, August 6th.
• The filing period for candidates is Monday, October 27 – Monday, November 3.
• More information can be found in the 2026 Candidate’s Guide.

Step-by-Step: How to Run

1. Confirm Your Eligibility

To run, you must:

• • Be a U.S. citizen

  • Be a registered voter in your township

  • Be affiliated with the political party (Republican or Democrat) you’re running under

2. Collect Petition Signatures

To get your name on the ballot, you’ll need to circulate petition forms and collect signatures from registered voters in your township and of your party.

• • Minimum signatures: Either 5% of the party’s vote in your township from the last general election or at least 50 signatures—whichever is greater. (It’s wise to gather at least twice as many as required in case some are challenged.)

    • Getting signatures of registered voters in your neighborhood shouldn’t be too difficult.

  • Print out these petition sheets and Statement of Candidacy, both available from the Illinois State Board of Elections.

  • A Statement of Economic Interests must also be completed and the receipt filed with the Illinois Secretary of State. Instructions to file online can be found HERE. Or call the Clerk’s Ethics Division at 312-603-1121.

  • A Loyalty Oath is optional but recommended.

We will help you if you are interested!
Call us at (708) 781-9371 or email us HERE.

3. File Your Paperwork

Candidates must file their nomination papers with the Cook County Clerk’s Office during the official filing period—Monday, October 27 – Monday, November 3. Your nomination packet should include:

• • Completed and notarize petition sheets

  • Statement of Candidacy

  • (Optional) Loyalty Oath

  • Receipt of Statement of Economic Interest filed with the Illinois Secretary of State

Bind your forms neatly and securely before submitting them.

4. Start Campaigning

Even though it’s a low-profile race, don’t underestimate it. Build support in your township:

• • Talk to Republican voters, neighbors and friends in the Township

  • Attend community meetings

  • Connect with other local community groups or organizations

  • Recruit volunteers to help spread your message

A quick visit to the Cook County Republican website reveals that there are 30 Township positions with three current vacancies in Barrington, Calumet, and Niles. But we need good conservatives to step up and run against sitting incumbents as well.

Many conservatives are increasingly disillusioned with political leadership—especially in places like Cook County, where GOP leaders have quietly cooperated with Democrats – even as our state circles the drain. It is not an overstatement to lament that Cook County Republicans set the tone for the entire state. If we want change, it must begin locally. We must elect Christian Conservatives as Township Committeemen in suburban Cook County.

Running for Township Committeeman gives us a seat at the table—and a voice in how the GOP is run. Don’t wait for someone else to fix it. Step up and help restore integrity and leadership in our political system from the ground up. Remember this truth at the core of this quote commonly attributed to Edmund Burke, an 18th-century Irish statesman and philosopher:

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

You know the cliché. You get what you deserve.

Plato wrote in his Republic that “The punishment which the wise suffer who refuse to take part in the government is to live under the government of worse men.” Plato may not have had political party “offices” in mind, but he might as well have. Political reform is necessary before we’ll ever see all the much needed policy reforms.

Moreover, as Christians we are called to an even higher standard:

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” ~Romans 21:21 (See also 1 Peter 3:8-9)

Need help getting started?

Contact Illinois Family Action for more information or visit the Illinois State Board of Elections for forms and guides.