The 2010 Cook County board president race is going to be a title fight.  Ald. Toni Preckwinkle (4th Ward) confirmed to Crain's Greg Hinz today that she is putting together a campaign to challenge Todd Stroger:

"That's the plan," said Ms. Preckwinkle, who has represented Hyde Park and the mid-South Side since 1991. "We're meeting with a (prospective) fundraiser. We're going to get started."

Ms. Preckwinkle, a political independent who has clashed on occasion with Mayor Richard M. Daley, said it's clear to her that county residents would be better served by a different chief executive.

"I like Todd Stroger as a person, but I think this is not the job for him," the alderman said, showing no signs of backing off despite what insiders say is pressure from Mr. Stroger not to run.  "The kindest thing you can say is, he's inept."

Preckwinkle -- a leader of the City Council's independent caucus and one of Progress Illinois' first guest columnists -- will provide a solid progressive alternative to Stroger.  We'll have more on her campaign as it unfolds.