Rockford legislator's replacement named

ROCKFORD, Ill. - Winnebago County Democrats have named a replacement for state Rep. Chuck Jefferson, who resigned.

The Rockford Register Star reported Thursday that Jefferson's former chief of staff, Litesa Wallace, won the nod among 11 candidates.

The 36-year-old single mother has a background in education and human services. The Democrat plans to campaign despite having no opponent on the November ballot.

Jefferson, a House member since 2001, resigned July 1. The 69-year-old said he needed to focus on his health.

Wallace says she backs Gov. Pat Quinn's proposal to raise the minimum wage in Illinois to $10 an hour. She also supports a bill in the state Senate that would alter the way state funding for schools is distributed.

The 67th District covers most of Rockford.