Story thread · 4 reports / 4 sources

Mayoral hopeful Bill Quinlan sues in bid to shrink field of candidates

suntimes.com · 4h · first reportShare

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and three other mayoral challengers have been accused of trying to have it both ways by running for re-election while simultaneously running for mayor. Attorney William J. Quinlan is now trying to turn that political argument into a legal one that, if successful, could shrink by four the field of candidates seeking to deny Mayor Brandon Johnson a second term. An election law expert, Quinlan filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court asking a judge to uphold a revised Illinois election law that includes an expedited filing calendar for mayoral candidates. If Quinlan succeeds, Giannoulias, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Il.), Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Board of Review Commissioner George Cardenas would be forced to make a choice. They could either seek re-election to their current offices or file nominating petitions for mayor. If they tried to do both, they would risk being thrown off the ballot for both offices — if Quinlan