Registration for primary voters closes in 7 days

Voter registration for the state's gubernatorial primary election ends next Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Cook County Clerk David Orr is reminding residents to also update information if they've changed names or moved. The primary election is set for Mar. 18, about five weeks from now.

State Treasurer Dan Rutherford, businessman Bruce Rauner, and state Sens. Bill Brady and Kirk Dillard are vying for the Republican nomination for governor. Tio Hardimann, the former director of an anti-violence group, is taking on incumbent Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn.

The primary election is the first to allow 17-year-olds to vote if they'll be 18 by the general election in November. Nearly 1,000 17-year-olds have registered in suburban Cook County.

Residents should have two forms of identifications to register, including one with a current address.