Crusader Staff Report
Former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin on August 15 officially announced his run for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk. He seeks to replace Dorothy Brown, who this week announced she will not seek reelection after nearly 20 years in the position.
“As a Cook County Commissioner for the 1st District, my priorities were equity, innovation, and above all else, justice,” Boykins said in a statement. “I had the privilege of working with the Circuit Court Clerk’s office on a range of matters including its budget and Clerk Brown’s expungement summit. I was privileged to sit on the Grants Review Committee for the Justice Advisory Council of Cook County, where we invested in program’s and organizations providing access to justice in communities where that access is most urgently needed.
“Over the past year, as I have considered where I might be of service to my fellow citizens of Cook County, these principles of equity, innovation and justice have been foremost in my mind.
Today I’m proud to announce that I will run for Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. I’m excited to share my ideas with Cook County voters on how we can expand access to justice by leveraging technology in a way that benefits everyone who comes into contact with our Circuit Court, regardless of color, creed or income.”
Recently, Boykins hinted at the possibility of running against Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, a protégé of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, who backed a political rookie that defeated Boykin in 2018. The defeat came after Boykin publicly opposed Preckwinkle’s infamous sugar tax, which was repealed after protests and public outcry.
