Legislature candidates face legal challenges
The candidacies of three state legislative hopefuls from Lake County -- two Republicans and one Democrat -- face legal challenges.
Democratic operatives are formally protesting the candidacies of Republicans Keith Gray, a Mettawa resident seeking to unseat state Sen. Terry Link in the 30th District seat, and Dan Sugrue, a Green Oaks resident challenging state Rep. Kathy Ryg in the 59th House District.
On the other side of the aisle, the candidacy of Democrat Rich Garling, an Island Lake trustee seeking the 52nd House seat, also is facing a formal challenge. Garling is trying to unseat longtime state Rep. Mark H. Beaubien Jr.
If the objections are upheld by the Illinois state elections board, the candidates will be kicked off the ballot and their opponents will run unopposed.
The elections board will begin proceedings for these and other objections during a meeting Monday. That session is set for 10:30 a.m. at the Thompson Center in Chicago.
The cases likely will be assigned to hearing officers for further review, said Dan White, the board's executive director.
The three candidates facing these legal challenges were recently nominated by their respective political parties to run for office.
The objection to Gray's candidacy was filed by a Link campaign worker, Cynthia Alexander of North Chicago. The complaint against Sugrue's campaign was filed by Ryg's mother, Sheila Schultz, a former Wheeling mayor.
As for Garling, his candidacy was challenged by Cuba Township Highway Commissioner Thomas W. Gooch III of Lake Barrington.
The Democratic objectors say GOP leaders met improperly when they chose Sugrue and Gray to run, according to court documents.
Information was not available about the objection to Garling's campaign.
The 30th Senate and 59th House districts cover much of the same ground. Both are in eastern Lake County and include small portions of Cook County.
The 52nd House District includes parts of Lake, Cook and McHenry counties.