Election board finds legislator's petition 1 signature short

CHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago Board of Elections has ruled Illinois state Sen. Ira Silverstein's petition for placement on the Democratic primary ballot is one signature short of the requirement.

A board hearing officer on Sunday ruled in favor of the legislator on his nominating petition. However, the board reconsidered that recommendation on Tuesday after the hearing officer acknowledged that he mistakenly double-counted one signature.

The board accepted affidavits from two voters saying they did not sign Silverstein's petition, rendering them fraudulent. That means the Chicago Democrat only has 999 signatures on his petition.

Neither Silverstein nor his lawyer immediately commented on the board's decision.

A Legislative Inspector General's report last week found Silverstein acted unprofessionally while working on legislation with advocate Denise Rotheimer but did not harass her.