Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon announced the addition of two new early voting sites at a press conference this week at Universal School in Bridgeview—one of the largest Islamic schools in the nation.
The new locations—Universal School and the Lyons Township Office in Countryside—bring the total number of early voting sites in suburban Cook County to 55 ahead of the April 1 consolidated election.
“One of my top priorities is expanding voting access in all of our communities,” Gordon said. “I am deeply committed to ensuring that every eligible voter has the opportunity to make their voice heard, regardless of where they live or what language they speak.”
Gordon thanked Bridgeview Mayor Steve Landek for his assistance in establishing the new sites, noting that the expansion is part of Cook County’s broader efforts to make voting more convenient—whether near a voter’s workplace during lunch or closer to home in the evening.
“As we continue to work to strengthen our democracy, we must remember one fundamental truth: The right to vote is the foundation of our democratic principles,” she said. “That’s why expanding voting access is so important, especially for communities that have been historically underrepresented in the political process.”
Cook County also continues to prioritize language accessibility, offering ballots in 12 languages including Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Arabic, and Polish.
Gordon highlighted that the county’s election technology has been upgraded, with electronic poll books used to check in voters recently certified by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
“These e-poll books use state-of-the-art technology to streamline voter check-in and enhance transparency,” she noted. The equipment is now in use at early voting sites, including Universal School.
In addition to expanding early voting locations, Gordon announced that her office will administer in-person voting at Cook County Jail for pretrial detainees, continuing a program initiated by the late Clerk Karen A. Yarbrough.
“She believed that when you give a person the power to vote, it can change their life,” Gordon said. “As Clerk, I couldn’t agree more. The right to vote is empowering, uplifting, and particularly impactful for those who have been historically marginalized.”
Bridgeview Trustee Kalid Baste, who also spoke at the press conference, encouraged residents to participate in every election, not just presidential contests. “Your vote does count,” Baste said. “It’s never a situation where one vote won’t matter, because your vote, combined with everyone else’s, makes a difference.”
Election judges Akram Khalil, Jamila Yusuf, and Anita Baltimoor, along with point person Rebecca Zellelew, volunteered their time at Universal School on the first day of early voting. “I wish people would take advantage and come see us,” Khalil said, expressing hope that more community members will engage with the process. They also emphasized the site’s accessibility, noting, “We don’t have stairs, we have parking—this makes a real difference for people.”
Early voting in suburban Cook County is open through March 31. All suburban residents can vote at any early voting site during this period. For a full list of locations and hours, visit the Cook County Clerk’s official website: cookcountyclerkil.gov.
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