Election Results 2016: Orland Township Voters Wouldn't Mind Breaking Away from Cook County

ORLAND TOWNSHIP, IL — Orland Township voters appear to favor the idea of breaking away from Cook County.

With 74 of 75 precincts reporting, 24,014 voted in favor, 20,551 against seceding from Cook County and joining neighboring Will County.

It's only an advisory question at this time—so the township will stay put for now, no matter the result of the vote.

"When (Cook County) raised the sales tax, it drove people into Will County," Township Supervisor Paul O'Grady told the Chicago Tribune. "Businesses are hurting. People have grave concerns about taxes, sales tax, property tax. They feel they are not getting their money's worth."

Orland Township is comprised of three municipalities: Orland Hills, Orland Park and Tinley Park. Orland Park and Tinley Park are both partially in Will County. The township geographically borders Will on its south and west edges, making those emergency services more accessible than Cook's, O'Grady said.

O'Grady said prior to the election that if the voters favor the idea, he'll then see what Will County Executive Larry Walsh would have to say about the township joining its neighbor.

Voters also backed a proposal to have their congressional representatives sponsor and support measures acknowledging, the "serious threat posed by climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a clear, transparent and effective way." With 75 of 75 precincts reporting, 32,994 voters were in favor, 11,909 opposed.