Monday is the first day for candidates to file their petitions with election authorities. Central Illinois is set to see competitive races on the national, state, and local levels.
Democrat Cheri Bustos and Republican Esther Joy King both filed Monday morning to run for the 17th Congressional District at the state board of elections office in Springfield.
Democrat Karla Bailey-Smith of Bloomington is running against incumbent Republican state representative Keith Sommer (R-Mackinaw) in the 88th District.
Pekin Mayor Mark Luft also formally filed to run for retiring state representative Mike Unes' 91st District seat. Luft is running as a Republican.
Republican Brett Grimm is running against incumbent Republican Tazewell County Auditor Shelly Hranka. She's currently suing the county over salary and jurisdiction disputes.
Peoria attorney Chris McCall has filed to run against Peoria County State's Attorney Jodi Hoos. She was appointed to fill a vacancy after Jerry Brady's death. Both candidates are Democrats.
Peoria County Clerk Rachael Parker will face a challenger from Gabe McLeod, one of former clerk Steve Sonnemaker's deputies. Parker was appointed after Sonnemaker's death earlier this year. Both of them are also Democrats.
Candidates have until December 2 to file petitions.
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