Lawmakers Call for Later Primary

By Kevin Lee 217-528-9604

SPRINGFIELD  –  Lawmakers say voters and candidates are not satisfied with February’s primary election date.

So they’re trying to push back the day when voters choose their party’s nominees.

Lawmakers and then-Governor Rod Blagojevich approved of a February primary date to boost Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.

State Rep. Dave Winters, R-Rockford, said a later primary would give voters and media more time to discuss the candidates.

020910Winters1                                                :12                                                …been the nominee.”

Cohen won the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, but withdrew Sunday due to concerns of a previous allegation of domestic violence.

Republican State Senator Gary Dahl thinks moving the primary back would boost voter turnout, which was around 20 percent during last week’s election.

020910Dahl1                                                            :12                                        …because of the weather.”

Lawmakers say they did not know when legislative committees would discuss their proposals.

EDITOR’s NOTE: Extra clip available.

020910Frerichs1                                                :13                                                         …the best date.”

State Sen. Michael Frerichs, D-Champaign, said a new primary date should not interfere with budget talks that take place in early summer.