Dragging carts full of petition papers to get on the March primary ballot, candidates for Cook County offices filled the hallway beneath the county’s administrative building early Monday.

Standing a few feet away from each other were Democratic opponents for county board president, incumbent Toni Preckwinkle and downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly. Also in close proximity were Assessor Fritz Kaegi and Lyons Township Assessor Pat Hynes , who’s running against him. The two races are likely the closest-watched countywide and some of the most expensive.

The line-up is a Cook County pre-election tradition, that doubles as a show of electoral strength.

Being the first name listed on the ballot among candidates for an office is said to be worth a few extra votes. To be eligible to gain that pole

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