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PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATRINA WITTKAMP Toni Preckwinkle (RIGHT) admits that her height gives her an advantage, but that's not the only reason she's a towering figure in Chicago politics. BELOW: A quilt made by students in the 4th Ward when she was its alderman adorns Preckwinkle's office. Toni's Time COOK COUNTY BOARD PRESIDENT TONI PRECKWINKLE RAISES THE BAR FOR POLITICIANS IN THE WINDY CITY AND BEYOND. BY DAWN REISS S ome have ca lled her "t he Tower of Blunt." At si x feet t a ll, Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, is a female force whose no-nonsense style has made her one of the most powerful politicians—of any gender—in all of Chicago. "If you're going to be in public life and be female, it's much better to be tall," she says, "because it's harder to patronize or dismiss someone who can look you in the eye or look down on you." These days no one is dismissing this 67-year-old grandmother of three. For the first time in her political career, which began with two unsuccessful campaigns for alderman, in 1983 and 1987, Preckwinkle will be running unopposed in November, so instead of focusing on re-election to her sec- ond term as board president, she is spending her t ime back ing ca ndi- dates for other offices and dodg ing speculation about a possible run for mayor. "I ca me into of f ice w it h a to-do list, and we've worked our way through some of it, but I still have a lot to do," she says. "I'm running for re-election for the job I've got." Managing Cook County, the second most populous county in the coun- try, isn't easy, especially when it comes to public safety and health. Last fall, Preckwinkle asked the Illinois Supreme Court to intervene on behalf of the county and help move cases more quickly through the criminal justice system. Taking a two-pronged approach, she also filed a motion in federal court—the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois—to transfer executive responsibility for the Cook County Jail's Administrative Release Program to her office in order to help alleviate jail overcrowding. "The jail is at the intersection of racism and poverty in this country," says Preckwinkle, who wants to reduce the number of individuals in jail await- ing trial for low-level drug offenses, petty theft, and other minor crimes. "You're in jail often not because of the severity of the crime of which you are accused but because you're poor." She is also overseeing a comprehen- sive long-range t ransportation plan (something Cook County hasn't had for 70 yea rs); enha ncement s to t he county's healthcare system, designed continued on page 76 74 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM THOUGHT LEADER 074-076_MA_SP_ThoughtLeader_May/June_14.indd 74 4/14/14 6:04 PM