Dorothy Brown first to file Monday morning, despite troubles

Cook County circuit court Clerk Dorothy Brown, facing a federal investigation and the indignity of having her party's endorsement withdrawn, forged ahead in her re-election campaign Monday by being among the first in line to file for the March Democratic primary.

The 15-year incumbent faces a tough primary battle. One challenger filed at the same time Monday, and others are expected before the end of the filing period next Monday.

Brown was handed a subpoena and had her county-issued cellphone taken by the FBI last month as part of a federal corruption probe, prompting Cook County Democratic Party leaders to strip their endorsement. Instead, they are supporting Chicago Alderwoman Michelle Harris, who was appointed to the city council in 2006 in place of Todd Stroger, who replaced his father as Cook County Board president after the elder Stroger's stroke.

Harris hadn't filed papers at Cook County Clerk David Orr's office so far Monday afternoon, but one other challenger, Jacob Meister, did. Meister runs a Chicago law firm and is founder and chairman of The Civil Rights Agenda, a nonprofit LGBT rights organization.

Also expected to file is Tio Hardiman, former executive director of CeaseFire, a nonprofit aimed at reducing violence. Hardiman ran in the Democratic primary for governor last year before losing to then-Gov. Pat Quinn.