People show documentation as they prepare to vote in the April 4, 2023, Chicago runoff election at the Budlong Woods Library polling location. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)
A new state law that obstructs some challengers from entering political races is on hold, a central Illinois judge ruled Wednesday.
The law put an end to the long-standing Illinois practice of letting a political party slate candidates for the general election in contests that are open because no one from that party ran in the primary election.
Democrats rushed to pass the measure (Public Act 103-0586) in early May, a month ahead of a deadline for slated candidates to turn in petitions to make it on the ballot.
Senate President Don Harmon said slating is an “undemocratic” method, and that Illinois was an outlier in allowing it.
“There is no notice and no public process involved in this selection at all,” Harmon said when he advocated for the bill leading to its passage. “For those concerned, it is also the least successful way to pursue office, at least in the Senate’s history. We are not aware of a single candidate who was placed on the ballot in this capacity who ended up sitting in the Senate.”
But Republicans saw it as a broadside, intended to protect Democrats from facing competition, particularly in a Metro East district held by state Rep. Katie Stuart, a Democrat from Edwardsville.
Four GOP would-be candidates, represented by the Liberty Justice Center, which promotes individual rights and is linked to the conservative Illinois Policy Institute, sued on the basis that the law changed the rules midway through the election.
Sangamon County Judge Gail Noll on Wednesday granted a preliminary injunction, meaning the law temporarily cannot be enforced.
“This was a gross manipulation of the electoral process by Gov. Pritzker and his Democratic allies that was clearly outside of constitutional bounds,” Senate Republican Leader John Curran said. “We look forward to the Illinois courts restoring choices for voters in legislative districts throughout this state.”
Illinois State Board of Election spokesman Matt Dietrich said even before the ruling, the board had planned to accept slated candidates’ filings through the June 3 deadline.
June 3 is also the next court hearing is scheduled.
The state elections board is set to finalize, or certify, the general election ballot at its Aug. 23 meeting.
Contact Amanda Vinicky: @AmandaVinicky | [email protected]
