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Departing state lawmakers create primary races

The biggest suburban primary races for seats in Springfield were sparked by lawmakers deciding not to return for another term.

Candidates have until 5 p.m. today to file their paperwork for a place on the March primary ballot. So far, suburban incumbents seeking re-election won't be facing opponents until the general election in November, when the battle for control of the Illinois Capitol will be a major focus.

"I don't know that a lot of people wanted to waste their resources with what's going on in the primary," said state Rep. Ed Sullivan, a Mundelein Republican not running in 2016.

Here's where departures have created races in the March primary.

State Sen. Dan Duffy

When Duffy, a Lake Barrington Republican, decided not to seek re-election, he quickly backed Dan McConchie of Hawthorn Woods to replace him.

McConchie won't go unopposed, however, according to election records.

Mettawa Mayor Casey Urlacher, brother of former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, will seek Duffy's seat, too, as will Barrington Hills Mayor Martin McLaughlin.

The district includes parts of northwest Cook County, southern and central Lake County and southeastern McHenry County.

State Sen. Mike Noland

When U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates decided to run for Senate, it set off a political chain reaction. Noland, an Elgin Democrat, decided to seek her seat in Congress, freeing up his spot in the Illinois Senate.

So far, two Democrats are seeking Noland's seat: Kane County Board member Cristina Castro of Elgin and Hanover Township Trustee Steve Caramelli.

The seat includes parts of Hoffman Estates, Elgin and Carpentersville.

State Rep. Mike Tryon

The Crystal Lake Republican's decision not to seek another term has created one of the biggest fields to replace him.

Four local Republicans have signed up to seek the nomination in this district, which includes southern McHenry and northeastern Kane Counties.

So far, the candidates are East Dundee Trustee Allen Skillicorn, West Dundee Trustee Dan Wilbrandt, McHenry County Board member Carolyn Schofield of Crystal Lake and Lakewood Trustee Paul Serwatka.

Primaries among challengers

Three other contests have emerged where multiple Republican candidates are vying to take on a Democratic incumbent.

State Sen. Melinda Bush

The Grayslake Democrat will try for re-election in her northern Lake County district, and two Republicans have filed their intention to be her Republican opponent.

Lake County Republican Chairman Michael Amrozowicz of Gurnee joined the race last week, and Blake Hudson of Zion jumped in Monday.

State Rep. Jack Franks

Two Republicans, Steven Reick of Harvard and Jeffery Lichte of McHenry, have filed to run against the Marengo Democrat.

State Rep. Kathleen Willis

Willis, an Addison Democrat, is trying for her first re-election. Republicans Anthony Airdo of Melrose Park and Lisa Wesa of Addison will face off in March to oppose her come November.

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