2018 primaries

Candidates in the Illinois governor’s race blew through campaign contribution limits months ago, but recently a few state House races did too.

"Access to the ballot is a substantial right," argued Scott Drury's attorney, Casey Westover. It was the argument that won out in the hearing over whether Drury should be allowed on the ballot as a Democratic candidate for attorney general due to a technicality with his statement of economic interest. 

If you thought 2017 was an interesting year politically, 2018 is forecast to be intense. 

In 2018, all members of the U.S. House of Representatives are up for re-election. In Illinois, all statewide offices are up for election, along with all seats in the Illinois House and a portion of the Illinois Senate.

One office that Democrats covet is the 13th Congressional District seat currently held by Republican Rodney Davis. The district was drawn to be a toss-up, and Democrats want to flip it.

Democratic gubernatorial hopeful J.B. Pritzker  was selected to be first on the March primary ballot among the seven candidates running.

The State Board of Elections held a lottery on Wednesday to determine ballot position.  Those in line with nominating petitions on the first day of filing were entered into the lottery. Some studies suggest a candidate’s position on the ballot could earn them extra votes. In  tight primaries, that could mean winning the nomination.