MEET LIZ GORMAN
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On December 6, 2010, Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth "Liz" Doody Gorman was sworn in to her third term as Cook County Commissioner. She was hailed by the Southtown-Star as a "Strong, consistent, dutiful voice on the Cook County Board for her Constituents…and repeatedly has shown her loyalty lies with the district that encompasses much of the southwest suburbs.” In making her first run for public office, Gorman defeated a twelve year incumbent. Gorman continues to have strong support from a diverse coalition of business and civic leaders, as well as the endorsements of the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Herald, and the Southtown-Star.

Gorman represents more than 325,000 constituents in the most diverse district in the county, stretching from Prospect Heights, Des Plaines & Elk Grove Village in northwestern Cook County through Lemont, Palos Heights, Palos Park and Palos Hills to the Orland Park & Tinley Park area in southwestern Cook County. The 17th District also encompasses O'Hare International Airport and is 47 miles in length and 17 miles at its widest point.

Liz has served as the Orland Township Republican Committeeman since 2003 and served from February 12, 2007 through March 15, 2008 as the Chairman of the Cook County Republican Central Committee. On February 2, 2010, she was re-elected Republican Committeeman for a second full term, defeating her opponent by 22 percentage points.

Gorman has impressed many as an independent-minded leader who reaches across party lines to build consensus. Gorman was congratulated in a Chicago Tribune editorial for standing up with a bi-partisan coalition of reform-minded commissioners to thwart tax increases and corruption in Cook County Government.

Gorman led the charge to repeal the 133% Stroger sales tax hike, recognizing that this regressive tax was most harmful to the constituents and businesses in the 17th District. Her persistence resulted in a 50% reduction of the increase with the remaining portion being repealed by 2013.

In addition to serving as the Chairman of the Suburban Caucus, Commissioner Gorman serves on 16 County Board standing committees and 11 Forest Preserve District Committees and as Chairman of the Environmental Control Committee and Vice Chairman of the Road and Bridge Committee, the Rules and Administration Committee and the Technology Committee. For a complete listing of Commissioner Gorman's committee assignments, please click here.

A native of the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago, Gorman grew up in a working class family. Her father was a Chicago fireman and electrician and her mother was an Amtrak Reservationist, retiring after 25 years of service. Gorman attended Mother McAuley High School and received a B. A. degree in Business Administration from St. Mary's College in Winona, Minnesota, where she received a partial athletic scholarship. In 2008, Gorman received her MBA from the University of Notre Dame through the Executive MBA program. Gorman is a successful small businesswoman who created her own insurance agency that she still manages today. A community activist, Gorman is a member of the Orland Park Chamber of Commerce as well as numerous other political and civic organizations and is active in her children's schools and activities.

Gorman lives in Orland Park with her husband, Gerald and three sons: Conor, 18; Liam, 17; and Shane 14 and Joey (Preusser) - We were blessed to have Joey come into our lives several years ago and become part of our family. The Family also has wo rescue dogs- Junior (Wheaten Terrir) and Simba (Sheba Inu). The Family attends St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Orland Park.