The Chicago Free Press makes a limited number of endorsements in virtually every election cycle. Our endorsements are based on conversations with candidates and community leaders, our coverage and historical knowledge of issues related to specific offices and our interests in promoting the wellbeing of our community.

We hope our readers consider the following endorsements and use them as a tool to reach their own decisions. Whether our readers ultimately agree with us or not, we encourage each and every person who is eligible to vote to exercise that right in the Feb. 5 primary elections.

Cook County Recorder of Deeds: Eugene “Gene” Moore

Incumbent Cook County Recorder of Deeds Gene Moore has built a reputation as a quiet, efficient public servant, running an office that’s remained free of controversy for Cook County taxpayers. He’s also been a steadfast friend of the GLBT community, never failing to support our issues. His opponent, Ald. Ed Smith, in contrast, has been a major disappointment on GLBT rights as a City Council member. CFP strongly urges readers to punch No. 63 on the ballot and vote for Moore.

Cook County Judicial Candidates: Lauretta Higgins Wolfson, Jesse Reyes, James Snyder, Aaron Weiss

In countywide races for the Cook County Circuit Court, there are two candidates we are proud to recommend: Judges Lauretta Higgins Wolfson and Jesse Reyes. Both have served with distinction on the bench and are considered highly ethical and fair-minded. Judge Wolfson is No. 77 on the ballot and Judge Reyes is No. 81 on the ballot.

There are two openly gay candidates running in subcircuit judicial races in Cook County and we urge our readers to support both. They are Judge James Snyder and Aaron Weiss. Snyder is a longtime gay community activist who was appointed to the Cook County bench in 2006. He was a leader of the effort in our community to thwart an anti-gay marriage amendment to the state constitution and has served as general counsel of the Illinois Human Rights Commission. Snyder is No. 107 on the ballot, running in the 8th Subcircuit; voters in North and Northwest side areas should look for his name on their ballots.

Weiss has served as a public defender for almost 13 years, for the past six years as a lead attorney, giving him the benefit of thousands of hours of casework in Cook County courtrooms. He is recommended by both the Chicago Bar Association and the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago. He is running in the 8th Subcircuit and is No. 113 on the ballot. Voters in the area roughly between Chinatown and Rogers Park, from the lakefront to Ashland Avenue, should look for Weiss on their ballots.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commission: Dean Maragos and Mariyana Spyropoulos

Voters in our community, like many others, may have passed over candidates for this office before 2006, when openly lesbian candidate Debra Shore made history by conducting a highly visible and successful campaign for election to MWRD board. While there are no openly gay candidates for the board this year, there are two candidates who we think would help Shore lead the MWRD into the 21st Century. Those candidates are Dean Maragos and Mariyana Spyropoulos.

Maragos has extensive experience in leading community efforts. He served as assistant director of revenue for the City of Chicago and helped lead the project that reinvigorated Greektown. He is strongly committed to managing the MWRD efficiently and responsibly. We believe that he firmly understands the importance of keeping our region’s unmatched fresh water supply clean and abundant. Maragos is No. 48 on the ballot.

Spyropoulos has picked up an impressive list of supporters, including U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, state Rep. John Fritchey, the Sierra Club and the League of Conservation Voters. It’s no wonder why—she has an impressive grasp of the issues the MWRD deals with and has creative ideas for improving the MWRD’s stewardship of our most important natural resource. Spyropoulos is No. 45 on the ballot.

Cook County Board of Review: Jay Paul Deratany

Openly gay Jay Paul Deratany is mounting a spirited campaign against one of the longtime powers of the Cook County Democratic machine, Joseph Berrios, and he just might win. Deratany has picked up endorsements from such progressive Democrats as U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Cook County Comms. Forrest Claypool, Mike Quigley and Larry Suffredin. Deratany pledges that he’ll make property tax assessments fairer for everyone by ending special favors granted to well-connected property owners. We strongly urge voters to look for No. 67 on their ballots and support Deratany for the Board of Review.