From Chicago Sun-Times · · 2m
Bill Quinlan Sues to Force Mayoral Challengers to Choose
Bill Quinlan sues to force three mayoral challengers to choose between running for reelection or mayor.
In brief
Bill Quinlan sues to force three mayoral challengers to choose between running for reelection or mayor. Bill Quinlan filed a lawsuit to require Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to choose between running for reelection or mayor. Originally…
Bill Quinlan sues
Bill Quinlan filed a lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court to force three mayoral challengers to choose between running for reelection or running for mayor.
“Quinlan is asking the court to force three mayoral challengers, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, to choose between running for reelection or running for mayor”
Challengers face choice
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas must choose between running for reelection or filing nominating petitions for mayor.
“If Quinlan succeeds, Giannoulias, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas would be forced to make a choice. They could either seek reelection to their current offices or file nominating petitions for mayor”
Law change
The law requires candidates to withdraw from one office within five days if they file petitions for incompatible offices in the same election.
“The law says you cannot file two sets of petitions ... at the same time for incompatible offices. If you do, you have to withdraw from one of the offices within five days after filing them. If you don’t, you’re disqualified from both”
Quinlan's background
Quinlan served as an election attorney for leading Democrats, including in the 2012 reelection campaign of then-President Barack Obama.
“Quinlan served as an election attorney for leading Democrats, including in the 2012 reelection campaign of then-President Barack Obama”
Challengers respond
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias released a statement focusing on making Chicago a safer, more affordable place to live.
“Alexi is focused on talking to Chicagoans about the issues they care about: making Chicago a safer, more affordable place to live”
Quigley's criticism
U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley dismissed Quinlan's lawsuit as a publicity stunt by a candidate who 'nobody knows, doesn’t have a base'.
“Quigley dismissed the lawsuit as a publicity stunt by a candidate who 'nobody knows, doesn’t have a base and will be lucky to get on the ballot'”
Pappas' position
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has not formally announced her candidacy for mayor, so the suit does not apply to her.
“Pappas said she has not formally announced her candidacy for mayor, so the suit shouldn’t apply to her”
Quinlan's goal
Quinlan aims to have a Republican secretary of state, congressman, and treasurer if challengers run for both offices.
“The result of this is that you’re going to have a Republican secretary of state, a Republican congressman, and potentially, a Republican treasurer”
Legal challenge
Quinlan seeks a declaratory judgment in his favor and an expedited hearing to resolve the issue before the Nov. 3 election.
“The lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment in Quinlan’s favor and an expedited hearing to resolve the issue well before the Nov. 3 election”
Expert opinion
An anonymous election law expert dismissed Quinlan’s lawsuit as a legal long shot.
“An election law expert who asked to remain anonymous dismissed Quinlan’s lawsuit as a legal long shot”
What happens next
If Quinlan wins, Giannoulias, Quigley, and Pappas must choose between running for reelection or mayor.
“If Quinlan succeeds, Giannoulias, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas would be forced to make a choice”
The takeaway
Bill Quinlan filed a lawsuit to require Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to choose between running for reelection or mayor.
