In a first-of-its-kind initiative in Illinois, the office of Monica Gordon, in partnership with the Chicago Bears, is bringing official early voting sites into more than 20 suburban high schools across Cook County ahead of the March 17 Gubernatorial Primary Election.
The program—called “Defenders of DA’mocracy”—will formally be announced Tuesday, January 6, at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights. The initiative trains high school students to serve as official Election Judges and operate on-campus early voting locations at the start of the Early Voting period.
Students from 24 Cook County high schools are undergoing training this week to learn the fundamentals of election administration, including voter check-in procedures, ballot handling, and voting equipment operations. Once training is complete, participating students will be responsible for running early voting sites at their respective schools, offering peers a hands-on opportunity to engage with the electoral process in a real-world setting.
Tuesday’s announcement will include remarks from Clerk Gordon; Ted Crews, Special Advisor to the President and CEO and Chief Administrative Officer of the Chicago Bears; and Dr. Scott Rowe, Superintendent of Township High School District 214. The event will also feature a live demonstration of students preparing to administer an official election.
According to the Clerk’s Office, the program is designed to deepen civic engagement among young people while expanding access to early voting across the county. By placing students directly in Election Judge roles, the initiative blends classroom learning with public service and underscores the importance of preparation, teamwork, and integrity in the democratic process.
As part of the partnership, the Chicago Bears will serve as a Community Civic Engagement Supporter. The organization will provide Bears-branded items to student participants and share a brief video message from a Bears player encouraging youth participation in civic life.
Event Details
When: Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (media setup begins at 3:30 p.m.)
Where: John Hersey High School
1900 East Thomas Street (Main Entrance, Door 1)
Rooms 124 B, C, D, and E
Arlington Heights, Illinois
The High School Early Voting program is expected to continue through the March 17 Gubernatorial Primary, marking a significant expansion of youth-led civic participation in Cook County elections.