Thornton Township residents led the way in a brisk first week at suburban Cook County early voting sites, Cook County Clerk David Orr announced Monday.

About 4,400 residents cast ballots in Thornton Township, compared to the next highest township, Rich, at 3,791.

Altogether, 52,848 suburban Cook County voters cast ballots between Oct. 13 and Sunday, greater than the total turnout for the entire early voting period before the February primary. Saturday was the busiest day with 9,674 people voting.

"Early voting is a tremendous hit, so that means there may be lines at some locations," Orr said in a news release.

Due to the crowds, Orr has dispatched more voting equipment, computers and staff where possible.

The south suburban sites are seeing some of the heaviest turnout. The five most popular voting sites have been Orland Park, Matteson, South Holland, Wheeling and Evanston.

This year marks the first presidential general election to have early voting in Illinois.

Early voting runs through Oct. 30 at 44 early voting sites within suburban Cook County. Grace period registration, where unregistered voters can register and vote during a single visit, ends today.

Voters need to fill out an application at the early voting site and display a valid identification before receiving their ballot. Valid forms of ID include a current driver's license, state-issued ID card or another government-issued ID with a photograph.

Local sites include: Burnham Village Hall, 14450 Manistee Ave.; South Holland Village Hall, 16226 Wausau; Chicago Heights City Hall, 1601 Chicago Road; Harvey Public Library, 15441 Turlington Ave.; Markham Courthouse, 16501 Kedzie Ave.; Park Forest Village Hall, 350 Victory Blvd.; and Matteson Village Hall, 4900 Village Commons.

Sites are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The Markham Courthouse also is open from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday.

For more information, go online at www.voterinfonet.com or call (312) 603-0900.