MOORE’S SUMMARY: Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, Rep. Mike Quigley and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas have faced accusations of double-dipping by running for Chicago mayor even as they each seek reelection. And now, a lawsuit filed by a fellow mayoral hopeful argues that state law prevents them from doing so.
THE LAWSUIT: The suit, filed by mayoral candidate Bill Quinlan, seeks a binding judicial interpretation of section 10-7 of the Illinois Election Code, which holds that Illinois political candidates cannot simultaneously seek two “incompatible” political offices, and its applicability to Giannoulias, Quigley and Pappas. Though not named in the lawsuit, a decision would also impact Cook County Board of Review Commissioner George Cardenas, who’s on the ballot in November and a declared mayoral candidate.
Per the statute, candidates seeking multiple offices with conflicting duties must withdraw from all but one office or risk being disqualified from the ballot entirely.
QUINLAN: “Voters deserve candidates who are all in — not career politicians keeping one seat warm in case the other race doesn’t go their way. As a candidate for Mayor with no electoral backup plan, I’m asking the court to settle this now so Chicago voters can choose a Mayor who’s really in it for them, not themselves.”
WHY NOW? There was a change in state law in 2024 that moved the filing period for odd-year local consolidated primary elections ahead of even-year November elections. The filing period for Chicago mayoral candidates is Oct. 19-26 with the final day to withdraw from the ballot Nov. 2 — one day before the midterm election.
As a result, Giannoulias, Quigley and Pappas, if they file to run for mayor, will technically be candidates for two different offices simultaneously. This wouldn’t have been an issue in 2019, for example, when Comptroller Susana Mendoza won reelection and filed petitions to run for mayor weeks later.
The suit argues for an expedited resolution as the last day candidates can be replaced on the ballot is Oct. 18. If the three candidates stay on the ballot and file to run for mayor and the offices are found to be “incompatible,” they’d risk handing their current offices over to Republicans.
BE REAL: The suit is likely a legal longshot for a few reasons.
First, and perhaps the most technical, there’s a ripeness issue as the three candidates haven’t actually filed petitions to run for mayor yet. Until then, any ballot eligibility controversy is hypothetical.
Second, while the changed timeline is an interesting wrinkle, it only matters if the offices are “incompatible.” And that seems like a tougher argument to make as it’s not uncommon for state officeholders to simultaneously serve in local government. Oftentimes, it’s mayors or township officials who serve in the legislature.
Third, it seems the intent of the election code was to prevent candidates from running for multiple offices in the same election. While Giannoulias, Quigley and Pappas would technically be candidates for two different offices for about a week or two, they’d be for separate elections.
GIANNOULIAS: Giannoulias’ campaign released this statement: “Alexi is focused on talking to Chicagoans about the issues they care about — making Chicago a safer more affordable place to live.”
LOOKING AHEAD: Giannoulias started his campaign with nearly $22 million and support from a cross section of Chicago’s business community and trade unions. He’s a clear frontrunner. He also declared his candidacy while still on the ballot for his current job.
If at all, his vulnerability to double-dipping is likely political, not legal.
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