State Libertarians want respect in upcoming primary election

Posted on February 23, 2024
Bill Redpath, chair of the Libertarian Party of Illinois, wants easier access to the ballot in Illinois, where signature requirements are much stiffer for third-party and independent candidates (Photo courtesy Illinois News Network)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Libertarians want you to know they are still out there. But – except for a couple of Cook County races – they are missing from ballots in Illinois in next month’s primary.

Bill Redpath, chair of the Libertarian Party of Illinois, says the main reason is Illinois’ prohibitive ballot access – in which Democrats and Republicans act as if it’s a club, with the goal of keeping everyone else out. “They do a good job of that,” remarked Redpath. 

Redpath explains what the party is all about: letting people live their lives without government interference. “We stand generally for conservative positions on economic issues, because we believe in free markets,” he said, “and we generally take liberal positions on social issues, because we think people should be able to live their lives as they choose.”

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

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