Tom Dart

This race is between incumbent Tom Dart, and challenger Sylvester E. Baker Jr. Baker, a veteran crimefighter, joined the sheriff’s department in 1982, and has served on its SWAT team, Gang Crimes Narcotics Section, and Field Operations Bureau.

Dart has been one of the boldest political leaders in the area. He created a moratorium on evictions of people who have lost their homes due to foreclosure, which resulted in new, more humane rules concerning evictions. He aggressively investigated the Burr Oak Cemetery, aiding families whose loved ones were supposed to be buried there. His office has provided free 911 cell phones to needy seniors, increasing security at Cook County Jail. He sued Craigslist over alleged prostitution services, resulting in their elimination from Craigslist nationwide.

As a result, Time magazine named Dart one of the 100 most influential people in the world last year. We agree, and support Tom Dart for another term as county sheriff. And, we hope that in the future we’ll see him running for high office in Illinois — or even Chicago itself.