Judge: Link can stay on the ballot

The latest effort to derail state Sen. Terry Link's re-election campaign likely was dealt a fatal blow Wednesday.

Link, a Waukegan Democrat and leader of the party's Lake County organization, can stay on the Feb. 5 primary ballot, a Cook County judge ruled during an afternoon hearing in Chicago.

Judge Paul A. Karkula's decision validated an earlier ruling by the Illinois elections board. It also might end former candidate Jerry Johnson's quest to get Link booted from the ballot because of questionable signatures on Link's candidate petition.

A disappointed Johnson said he probably won't appeal Karkula's decision.

"I don't think that there's anything left," said Johnson, who was knocked off the ballot last month because of problems with his own petition.

Link was pleased with Wednesday's ruling.

"Two separate bodies have ruled (in my favor)," Link said. "I just want to get on with serving the people of the 30th District."

Johnson has alleged Link's petition contains the names of dead people and area residents who've denied signing the form.

Records indicate campaign workers and volunteers circulated Link's petitions for the senator.

The elections board eliminated many of the signatures, but not enough to have Link removed from the ballot.

Karkula's decision means Link can remain a candidate, but it doesn't end a criminal investigation by the Lake County state's attorney's office. State's Attorney Michael Waller has said Link's petition has "obvious irregularities."

Link declined to comment on the investigation other to say no one from Waller's office has contacted him, his attorney or his staff.