David Gill off ballot, looking to court to put him back on

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - An independent candidate for Illinois' 13th Congressional District seat currently held by Republican Congressman Rodney Davis has been removed from the ballot by the state's Board of Elections.

The panel on Monday sustained an objection to David Gill's petitions because he didn't have enough valid signatures needed by an independent.

Last month, U.S. District Court Judge Sue Myerscough blocked Illinois election officials from enforcing the state's signature requirements. Independent candidates need 10,754 signatures to make the ballot while Democrats and Republicans need about 735 signatures. Fewer than 8,600 of the 11,300 Gill turned in were found valid.

A three-judge panel of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked Myerscough's action, pending outcome of the state's appeal. Gill's lawyers have asked all judges on the 7th Circuit to rule on Gill's petitions. That request is still pending.

Mark Wicklund of Decatur is the Democratic candidate.