Most of Illinois's 102 counties use an elected county board (17 smaller counties use a straightforward 3- or 5-member "commission" form) that combines legislative and executive functions and elects its own chair from among its members. Cook County is a well-known single exception — Illinois's only home-rule county — with a larger board and a directly elected County Board President acting more like a chief executive. For a meeting or records request, contact the county board office or county clerk. Illinois elections are run by the separate Illinois State Board of Elections, not the Secretary of State.