McQuillan gets to stay on 50th House ballot

Geneva resident Bob McQuillan will remain on the Feb. 2 Republican primary ballot in his quest to represent the state's 50th House district in the Illinois General Assembly.

The Illinois State Board of Elections Thursday could not muster enough votes to either sustain an objection to McQuillan's petition, or overrule it.

Five votes are required for action by the eight-member board, which voted 3 "yes," 4 "no" and 1 abstention on one motion, and 4 "yes," 3 "no" and 1 abstention on another, according to a lawyer for the panel.

Since petitions are presumed valid unless proved otherwise, McQuillan stays on the ballot.

The objection was brought by John Reeves of Oswego, who questioned the validity of some signatures on McQuillan's nominating petitions. If those were removed, Reeves contended, McQuillan would not have enough signatures to get on the ballot.

Reeves could appeal the board's decision. He could not be reached for comment Friday.

McQuillan and Keith Wheeler, of Oswego, are challenging incumbent State Rep. Kay Hatcher of Yorkville for the GOP nomination to the seat that represents parts of Kane, Kendall and LaSalle counties.