Who wants to fill Hastert's seat?
With Dennis Hastert not seeking re-election in the 14th Congressional District, the campaigns of his potential replacements are about to be a lot more visible.
While several Democrats have been campaigning for the past few months, Republicans for the most part tried to stay under the radar until Hastert's announcement Friday morning.
A look at those who have announced or formed exploratory committees:
John Laesch
Affiliation: Democrat
Family: Wife Jennifer
Town: Newark
Day job: Carpenter
Political background: 14th Congressional District Democratic nominee, 2006; lost general election to Hastert
Priorities: U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq, Medicare expansion, encouraging alternative energy research and products
Web site: www.john08.com
Bill Foster
Affiliation: Democrat
Family: Divorced, two children
Town: Geneva
Day job: Fermilab scientist
Political background: None
Priorities: U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq, paying down the national debt, crackdown on businesses that employ illegal immigrants
Web site: www.foster08.com
Jotham Stein
Affiliation: Democrat
Family: Wife Victoria, one son
Town: Geneva
Day job: Lawyer
Political background: None
Priorities: U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq, universal health care, economic incentives for environmentally friendly products
Web site: www.votestein.com
Chris Lauzen
Affiliation: Republican
Family: Wife Sarah, four sons
Town: Aurora
Day job: State senator; previously certified public accountant
Political background: State senator, 25th District, 15 years; Republican nominee for state comptroller, lost general election, 1998
Priorities: National defense, financial security, American business competitiveness
Web site: www.lauzen2008.com
Jim Oberweis
Affiliation: Republican
Family: Wife Julie, five children
Town: Sugar Grove
Day job: Chairman of Oberweis Asset Management and Oberweis Dairy
Political background: Second in Illinois gubernatorial primary, 2006; second in U.S. Senate primary, 2004 and 2002
Priorities: Strengthening U.S. border security, energy independence, tax reform
Web site: www.jimoberweis.com
Kevin Burns
Affiliation: Republican
Family: Wife Terry, three daughters
Town: Geneva
Day job: Director of Development and Alumni Relations at Midwestern University in Downers Grove
Political background: Geneva mayor, 6 years; Geneva alderman, 4 years
Priorities: Encouraging renewable energy, immigration reform, instituting the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group
Web site: www.burns4congress.com