Illinois political candidates line up early to file nominating petitions

Posted on November 27, 2023
Some potential lawmakers lined up before 4 a.m. (Photo courtesy: Google Maps)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – A chilly Monday morning greeted Illinois candidates who began lining up before 4 a.m. Monday to file their 2024 nominating petitions.

The custom of vying for the first ballot position is, says Illinois State Board of Elections spokesman Matt Dietrich, a tradition, though there is little evidence being first – or last – on the ballot garners one any additional votes.

One of the first-day hopefuls was Tommy Hanson, a Chicago Republican running for the seat now held by U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Chicago).

“I looked it up on Wikipedia,” said Hanson, “and the last time a Republican won was in 1994 (when) Michael Flanagan won a two-year term,” over eighteen-term warhorse Dan Rostenkowski. “Before that, it was 1909. So, it’s been, what, 114 years since a Republican has really served in the district. It’s time for a change.”

Regardless of how much of an influence the ballot position is, those in line at 8 a.m. Monday qualify for a lottery to determine who’s first. The filing period ends Dec. 4, and those who file between 4 and 5 p.m. that day are in a lottery for who’s last on the ballot.

Both lotteries – using official Illinois Lottery ping pong balls – take place Dec. 13.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

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