Peter Silvestri, one of two Republican commissioners on the Cook County Board, will not seek reelection in 2022, he told the Tribune on Wednesday.

       Silvestri, who hails from Elmwood Park in the 9th District, was first elected in 1994 and joins at least two other longtime commissioners in announcing their retirements when their current terms end in December: Larry Suffredin, a Democrat from Evanston, and Deborah Sims, a Democrat from Posen.

       Silvestri is the only GOP commissioner on the board besides Sean Morrison, who is from Palos Park and leads the Cook County Republican Party. Morrison has not formally announced whether he will run for reelection this year.

       Commissioner Peter Silvestri at a Cook County board meeting in 2019. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

       “I made the decision because I’m thinking that there’s other things I want to do, like maybe teach or practice more law … and just have more time with my friends and family,” Silvestri said in a phone interview. “I hope that my legacy is that I tried to represent the people of our area to the best of my ability, understanding the social and financial limitations that government has.”

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       The commissioner, who leads the Cook County Board’s Zoning and Building committee and the Litigation committee, added that his replacement should be a centrist whose chief challenges will be tackling crime and advocating for fiscal responsibility.

       “The person should be someone who understands that America works best when it’s not too far to the right or too far to the left but somewhere in the middle,” Silvestri said about his successor. He did not say whether the replacement should be a Republican or Democrat but noted the person must work well with all members of Cook County Board.

       Silvestri’s district covers parts of the Northwest Side and suburbs.

       Also up for reelection this year are Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Assessor Fritz Kaegi and Sheriff Tom Dart, all of whom are running for another term.

       ayin@chicagotribune.com

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