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Suburbs light on Statehouse primaries ... so far

The suburbs don't have a lot of primary races for seats at the Illinois Capitol during the first day of the filing period, but more could arise by next week.

Monday was the first day for candidates to turn in petition signatures to get on the March primary election ballot.

Big races between Democrats and Republicans are shaping up for next fall, even as primary contests remain quiet so far.

Candidates for the General Assembly can turn in signatures until Nov. 30, a day before Gov. Bruce Rauner and top lawmakers are set to meet and talk about the state's historic budget impasse.

Here's a look at where the big races are so far.

• The race to replace state Rep. Mike Tryon, a Crystal Lake Republican, in Illinois House District 66 has drawn four GOP primary candidates. They are: Allen Skillicorn, an East Dundee Republican; Dan Wilbrandt, a West Dundee Republican; Carolyn Schofield, a Crystal Lake Republican and Paul Serwatka, a Lakewood Republican. No Democrat has filed.

• State Sen. Mike Noland, an Elgin Democrat, is leaving the Illinois Senate to run for Congress. Two Democrats have stepped up to try to replace him in the 22nd District: Cristina Castro of Elgin and Steve Caramelli of Hoffman Estates.

• Schaumburg Republican Jillian Rose Bernas will challenge Democratic state Rep. Michelle Mussman of Schaumburg for her Illinois House District 56 seat.

• State Rep. Deb Conroy, a Villa Park Democrat, could have a rematch against Republican Heidi Holan of Glen Ellyn for Illinois House District 46.

• Seth Lewis, a Bartlett Republican, has filed to challenge state Sen. Tom Cullerton, a Villa Park Democrat facing his first re-election bid in the 23rd District.

• Democratic Rep. Stephanie Kifowit of Aurora has drawn Naperville Republican Mike Strick as a challenger in District 84.

• Democratic Rep. Kathleen Willis, an Addison Democrat, has one challenger in Republican Anthony Airdo of Melrose Park in District 77.

• Chicago Republican Michael McAuliffe is set to defend his Illinois House District 20 seat from Merry Marwig, a Chicago Democrat.

• Democrat Greg Hose of Downers Grove has signed up to run in Illinois House District 81 against Republican Rep. Ron Sandack of Downers Grove.

• In Lake County, Republican state Rep. Sheri Jesiel of Winthrop Harbor faces Democratic challenger Nick Ciko of Lindenhurst in the 61st District.

• State Sen. Melinda Bush, Grayslake Democrat, faces a challenge from Gurnee Republican Michael Amrozowicz in Senate District 31.

• Democrat Corinne Pierog of St. Charles has filed for the Illinois Senate District 25 seat now held by Republican Sen. Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove. Oberweis didn't turn in his paperwork Monday but said he plans to submit it by the deadline.

• Republican Reps. David Harris of Arlington Heights and Mike Fortner of West Chicago didn't file paperwork today, but all say they plan to do so by the Nov. 30 deadline.

• Other local lawmakers and candidates, so far, are running unopposed, but the ballot is likely to further fill up in the coming days.

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