Illinois primary election moves up

Earlier primary date gives Illinois louder voice in presidential election process

[June 20, 2007]  SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich signed legislation Wednesday sponsored by House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones that moves the Illinois primary election to the first Tuesday in February from the third Tuesday in March. In 2008, that means an Illinois primary on Feb. 5, which will give Illinoisans a louder voice in the presidential election process. As many as 20 states may have their 2008 general primaries on Feb. 5, including New York, California, Georgia, Missouri and New Jersey, creating what is referred to as "Super Tuesday."

"Illinois is the fifth-largest state in the country. The people who live here deserve to play a bigger role in deciding who the presidential candidates will be," Blagojevich said.

House Bill 426, which overwhelmingly passed both chambers of the General Assembly, also affects all other public offices up for primary election in even-numbered years, including those for Congress, the General Assembly, local government and school boards.

[Text from file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]