Congressional hopeful could learn Thursday if she’ll be on ballot

Weeks after being disqualified from the upcoming primary ballot because her candidate petitions included one fewer signature than required, a suburban congressional hopeful soon could learn if her campaign still has life.

Tedora M. Brown is scheduled to appear at 2:30 p.m. Thursday before Cook County Judge Anna M. Loftus, who’s considering her appeal of the Illinois State Board of Elections’ decision.

“We believe in the justice system and we are praying the judge rules in our favor according to case law,” Brown said through a spokesperson. “We fought hard to get here and we are not backing down.”

Brown’s attorney, Max Solomon, said he expects a decision from Loftus that day.

Elburn resident Blanca Souders objected to Brown’s petitions last fall. One of the other Republican candidates in the race, Jeff Walter, is Elburn’s mayor.

Brown turned in paperwork with 1,018 signatures, and Souders objected to 337 of them, documents indicate.

After reviews by a state hearing officer and the board’s attorney and then two days of discussions, the elections board on Jan. 8 decided Brown’s petitions contained 798 valid signatures, not the required 799. Solomon immediately announced his intent to appeal in court.

Neither Souders nor her attorney, Eric Hendricks, could be reached for comment Tuesday.

Brown’s removal from the ballot left Walter, Naperville resident Michael Pierce and Aurora resident Charlie Kim as the Republican candidates on the ballot. Brown continues to campaign, however, including appearing at candidate forums.

The 11th District encompasses portions of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, DeKalb and Boone counties. The incumbent, U.S. Rep. Bill Foster of Naperville, is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

The primary is March 17. Early voting starts Feb. 5.