Contested Primaries Emerging for Local Races

At least seven primary races are taking shape as candidates began filing petitions Monday for the March 20 Illinois primary election to earn spots on the ballot to qualify for the Nov. 6 general election.

Candidates for all offices began turning in their paperwork. The deadline is 5 p.m. Monday. The filing period for Congress begins Dec. 23 and ends Dec. 27.

While a number of nominations are uncontested, contests are emerging for the Illinois General Assembly, Lake County State’s Attorney, Lake County Recorder, Lake County Coroner and the Lake County Board.

With the retirement of state Sen. Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston), filed his petitions Monday in Springfield to succeed Schoenberg. No Republicans have filed.

Two Democrats, Northfield Township Clerk Laura Fine of Glenview and Jeff Smith of Evanston, submitted petitions to run for the seat currently held by Biss. No Republicans have filed.

In the race to succeed another retiring legislator,, Republicans of Lake Forest, filed petitions. of Highwood is the lone Democrat seeking the position.

Turelli polled 43 percent of the vote against May in 2010. Neerhof is making his first run for public office.

Six Seek State's Attorney's Job

The most spirited campaign may be for Lake County State’s Attorney with three Republicans and three Democrats each party vying for their party’s nod.

Lake Forest attorney and Libertyville resident , Mundelein lawyer Karen Williams and Lindenhurst attorney are all seeking the Democratic nomination. Republicans running are of Lake Bluff, of Lake Barrington and of Gurnee.

In other county wide contests, Thomas Rudd of Lake Forest will square off against incumbent Artis Yancey of Waukegan for Lake County Coroner on the Democratic side. The lone Republican to file so far is Steve Newton of Antioch.

Two Republicans, Marty Blumenthal of Highland Park and Bob Bedner of Mundelein will compete in the primary for Lake County Recorder. The winner will face incumbent Democrat Mary Ellen Vanderventer who told Patch today she will file her paperwork this week.

Lake Forest and Lake Bluff will have a lot of primary activity. Former Lake Forest Mayor and former Lake Forest Caucus President will run against each other for the Lake County Board District 12 seat. The constituency includes all of Lake Forest and parts of Highland Park and Deerfield.

In Lake County Board District 13, two former Lake Bluff Village Board members— and —will join Jay Krasne of Gurnee competing for the Republican nomination. No Democrat has filed in either District 12 or 13.

In the campaign for the Lake County Board District 15 seat, two Libertyville Republicans—Carol Calabresa and Dan Donahue—will run in the primary. No Democrat has yet entered.

Another primary contest is emerging for Clerk of the Lake County Circuit Court between Republicans Keith Brin of Highland Park and Gerald Dietz of Round Lake.

Some Primaries Are Uncontested

In uncontested campaigns for party nominations, of Deerfield handed in her paperwork for the Democratic nomination to succeed retiring . Highland Park Pediatrician filed for the Republican slot.

filed her petitions to seek a sixth term. of Northbrook is the lone Republican looking to run against Nekritz.

plans to file his petitions later this week for another term. No Republican has declared intentions to oppose him.

In the 59th General Assembly District and have been remapped into the same constituency. Sente filed her petitions Monday and Mathias plans to do the same later this week. is uncontested for reelection.

is seeking the Democratic nomination for the Lake County Board District 12 spot. No Republican has indicated a run for the nomination yet.