Felon asked to leave mayoral race

PEORIA -- Peoria County State's Attorney Kevin Lyons is demanding that a convicted felon withdraw from Peoria's mayoral race.

General Parker has a criminal record stemming from a 1984 car theft. Lyons said Parker is not eligible to hold public office because of that.

Lyon said Monday that Parker has until Wednesday to withdraw from the race before his office decides how it will proceed. Parker said he will not bow out of the race.

Peoria Election Commission executive director Tom Bride said absentee, in-person voting at his office could begin Wednesday. Early voting begins March 16, with the election following April 7.

Bride said if Parker files a withdrawal request, it can go before an electoral board which can accept it. But once voting begins this week, withdrawal requests won't be accepted.