GOP candidate facing petition challenge in 11th Congressional District race

Doubts about the signatures on a Republican candidate's petitions could knock him off the primary ballot for Illinois' 11th Congressional District seat.

GOP hopeful Juan "Johnny" Ramos of Naperville must defend against a formal objection brought by St. Charles resident Jessica Bridges.

Bridges claims Ramos' nominating petition contains fewer valid signatures than the 400 legally required for the race, an Illinois State Board of Elections spokesman said.

The case will be heard by a panel selected by the state board.

If a petition objection is upheld, a candidate can be disqualified from running for a political party nomination.

Ramos is among seven Republican candidates in the 11th. The others are Catalina Lauf of Woodstock, Susan L. Hathaway-Altman of the Geneva area, Cassandra Tanner Miller of Elgin, North Aurora Trustee Mark Carroll, Jerry Evans of Warrenville, and Andrea Heeg of the Geneva area.

Democratic incumbent Bill Foster of Naperville is seeking reelection.

Only Ramos faces a petition challenge. Monday was the deadline to file a challenge.

The newly redrawn 11th District includes parts of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, DeKalb and Boone counties.

The primary is June 28, and the general election is Nov. 8.