Local News

U. S. Court of Appeals Takes David Gill Off November Ballot in 13th Congressional District Race

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit on Friday granted a stay to U.S. District Judge Sue Myerscough’s preliminary injunction which had prevented the Illinois State Board of Elections from removing Dr. David Gill’s name from this November’s ballot. The stay was granted at the request of the Board of Elections and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.  The decision of the Court of Appeals, if allowed to stand, effectively prevents Gill from running for Illinois’ 13th District U.S. House seat as an Independent.

Gill and his team of circulators collected more than 11,300 petition signatures in 90 days this spring in an effort to gain ballot access. After the Democratic candidate and a representative of the Republican Congressman filed objections to Gill’s petition, the State Board of Elections determined that Gill only had 8593 valid signatures, short of the 10,754 required by Illinois law to run as an Independent.

Gill then filed a federal lawsuit seeking to have the signature requirement declared unconstitutional, and he won the preliminary injunction on August 25. State authorities immediately appealed that decision and asked the Appellate Court to stay Judge Myerscough’s decision while their appeal is pending.

In response to the Appellate Court’s decision, Dr. Gill said he was disappointed for the voters of Illinois' 13th Congressional District.

The decision means that incumbent Republican Rodney Davis of Taylorville will be running against Democrat Mark Wicklund of Decatur in the November 8th election, without Gill's name appearing as an independent candidate.

Townhall Top of the Hour News

Local Weather - Sponsored By:

CLINTON WEATHER

Local News

DeWittDN on Facebook