Last day of filing shows 7 vying for Hastert's seat
The field is set, at least until a successful challenge is made.
Monday was the deadline for candidates in the 2008 primary election to submit their petitions for spots on the Feb. 5 ballot.
Four Republicans and three Democrats are vying to replace the retiring U.S. Rep. Dennis Hastert, a Plano Republican. On the Republican side is Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns, state Sen. Chris Lauzen, dairy magnate Jim Oberweis and Michael Dilger, a dark horse from Evanston.
Entertainment promoter Rudy Clai said he will not seek the GOP nomination, saying "the Republican Party in Illinois is in a very bad state of disrepair."
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Considered a long shot, the North Aurora resident said he didn't want to be associated with candidates whose focus is on campaign contributions instead of their constituents.
Facing off on the Democratic side are scientist Bill Foster, two-time candidate John Laesch and attorney Jotham Stein.
Kane County
The Kane County Board chairman will face a challenge in the primary. On the GOP side, board critic Jim MacRunnels will challenge chairman Karen McConnaughay. The winner of the chairman's race will face Democrat Sandy Kaczmarski in the general election.
Anti-jail activist Tina Yagla of Geneva will challenge Mark Davoust of St. Charles in the county's 14th District.
Larry Wegman and Richard Bennett are fighting for the Republican nomination in District 20, based in Elgin. Two Democrats also are competing in District 20; newcomer Cristina Castro will challenge incumbent Jesus de la Isla.
Incumbent Republican Don Wolfe of Elgin does not have a primary opponent in District 18 but faces Elgin Democrat Jeanette Mihalec in the general election.
Democrat incumbent Hollie Kissane of Carpentersville is unopposed in her bid for another term in District 24. Also unopposed are incumbent Republicans Jackie Tredup of Elgin in District 22 and Michael Kenyon of South Elgin in District 16.
For Kane County candidates who filed simultaneously last week, a lottery will be held today to determine whose name appears first on the ballot.
There are no primaries slated for other countywide offices. The Republican circuit clerk, recorder, state's attorney, auditor and coroner face no opposition from within their party.
State legislature
The most crowded local state race is the 50th State House seat, left open by Patricia Reid Lindner, a Sugar Grove Republican who retired this year.
Four Republicans lined up to replace her: Anton Graff and Kay Hatcher of Yorkville; David Richmond of Batavia and Terry Hunt of Big Rock.
The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Mary Schneider of Batavia.
State Rep. Ruth Munson, an Elgin Republican, does not have a primary opponent in the 43rd House race. In the fall, she faces Elgin Democrat Keith Farnham for the district, which includes parts of Carpentersville, East Dundee, Elgin and South Elgin.
Incumbent House Reps. Tim Schmitz, a Batavia Republican, will face a primary opponent; and Linda Chapa LaVia, an Aurora Democrat, will face a general election opponent.
Because no Democrat filed for Schmitz's 49th District seat, the winner of the Republican primary between him and Jim Krenz of Carpentersville is almost guaranteed the seat.
Chapa LaVia, the 83rd House District Representative, will face off against Republican Joan Solms of Aurora in the general election.
Cook County
The field in the primary for Cook County atate's attorney includes seven Democrats: Tom Allen, Anita Alvarez, Howard B. Brookins, Jr., Robert J. Milan, Larry Suffredin and Tommy Brewer. The winner will face Republican Tony Peraica.
Judicial races
In the Elgin subcircuit, former Kane County State's Attorney David Akemann filed as a Republican as has Patricia Golden, who currently serves as a 16th Judicial Circuit Judge and also was the first director of the Kane County Child Advocacy Center. John Noverini, a Kane County board member and former Carpentersville trustee, is the only Democrat who filed.