The documents must be submitted with the Village Clerk's office between Nov. 19 and Nov. 26Potential candidates seeking a spot on the Downers Grove village council in next spring's elections can now take the first steps in the campaign process.

Accusations of Hatch Act violations prompt talk of easing law in state, local electionsAn obscure federal campaign requirement has become an issue in the McHenry County sheriff's race even as regulators push to ease its restrictions in state and local elections.

Fracas with citizen watchdog group erupted during '06 referendum voteA complaint alleging that Glenbrook High School District 225 failed to properly report the cost and resources used to inform the public of a November 2006 referendum has been settled, officials for both sides have announced.

GOP challenger vows to appeal ruling in favor of Barrington Hills widow seeking husband's seat as independentDee Beaubien can stay on the November election ballot as an independent seeking her late husband's former seat in the Illinois House of Representatives' 52nd District, the State Board of Elections ruled this week.

A group of community organizations that has been calling for an elected school board in Chicago submitted nearly 9,800 signatures to the city's Board of Elections Monday in an effort to get a ballot referendum on the issue in some of the city's precincts.

Liberty Justice Center points to exemption of political leaders from 2009 lawThe legal arm of the conservative Illinois Policy Institute has filed a federal lawsuit asking that Rod Blagojevich-inspired campaign contribution limits be declared unconstitutional because donations from political leaders are not regulated in general elections.

City Hall and Cook County government anticipate saving $33.4 million by combining efforts on elections, technology and other common interests, officials said Monday.

DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin on Wednesday replaced two trustees on the three-person board overseeing the DuPage Election Commission, one day after a report came out that criticized a broad range of practices at the bipartisan agency.

Local School Council elections in Chicago Public Schools start this Wednesday, with 6,500 candidates running for the school-based seats.

Mayor, county board president say streamlining, cooperation has identified $20 million in savings so farMayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Tuesday touted modest savings from working together on upcoming elections and collecting back taxes from businesses.

Political bank accounts controlled by Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan received more than $1.5 million in campaign contributions in the final three months of 2011, records filed with state elections officials showed Tuesday.

Emigrants can cast ballot in upcoming election, though few doLeaders of Mexico's seven political parties were in Chicago on Thursday to attract expatriate votes in their country's upcoming presidential elections.

Committeeman contests shaping for March 20 electionAs the memories of last year's city elections fade, many Chicago aldermen now are trying to shore up their power by running for the post of Democratic ward committeeman.

Freddrenna Lyle will serve until next year's electionsThe Illinois Supreme Court has appointed former Chicago Ald. Freddrenna Lyle a Cook County Circuit Court judge to fill a vacancy.

Woman faces criminal charges in referendum-petitions caseA 69-year-old Oak Lawn community activist has been charged with forging signatures on ballot petitions to support a referendum drive for the April municipal elections.

Hard-fought battles expected leading up to March electionsChicago-area Republican and Democratic congressional candidates are stockpiling cash as they gear up for March primary elections that are expected to be costly and contentious, new campaign finance reports show.

Vote that added administrators this year violated state law, suit saysA lawsuit filed Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court alleges that the Chicago Public Schools system unlawfully held elections this year that added administrators to local school councils.

Logan Square organizer, alderman locked in feudThe future of the popular Logan Square Farmers Market is uncertain as a political feud stemming from the Chicago City Council elections continues between a Northwest Side alderman and the market's organizer.

Flips settle trustee, school board races that ended in tiesCoin tosses on Monday decided the outcomes of two west suburban elections in which candidates had finished with identical vote totals.

Candidates tied in Island Lake, Green OaksChuck Cermak would have preferred a duel.

For a Better Chicago makes choices in 3 wards where mayor-elect hasn't made endorsementsA political fund aligned with Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel on Wednesday endorsed four more candidates in next month's City Council runoff elections, including contenders in three races the incoming mayor has decided to sit out.

After elections, as many as half of Chicago's aldermen could be rookiesThe dynamic at City Hall will change dramatically this year, and not just because Mayor Richard Daley is moving out of his iconic fifth-floor office after a record-long run.

Republican targets Gorman's campaign fundComplaints leveled against Cook County Commissioner Liz Gorman and her campaign fund by a former Republican primary opponent should be heard in a public hearing, the state Appellate Court has ruled, reversing an earlier decision by the State Board of Elections.

Appointments are subject to approval by City CouncilMayor Richard Daley on Wednesday named three interim aldermen, including two who are aldermanic candidates in the February municipal elections.

Elections Board's decision in residency case likely to be challenged by losing sideChicago elections commissioners are scheduled to vote Thursday on whether mayoral candidate Rahm Emanuel will remain on the ballot.

Chicago Board of Election Commissioners could vote on issue ThursdayWhat may go down as one of the more memorable hearings in city elections history wrapped up Thursday with closing arguments from lawyers for mayoral hopeful Rahm Emanuel and those trying to knock him off the ballot.

Although the contest to replace the retiring Mayor Richard Daley is the marquee race in next year's city elections, voters also will pick a new city clerk and new aldermen in perhaps a fifth of the wards, where the elected leaders wield a fair amount of their own Chicago clout.

Democratic, Republican candidates work to energize electorateRepublicans hit a pumpkin parade and Democrats passed out candy and political fliers Sunday in a Halloween-flavored pitch for a few more votes that could make the difference in Tuesday's elections.

First public appearance in hometown since his 2008 victory nightWith midterm elections just days away, President Barack Obama will speak Saturday at a Democratic rally in Hyde Park, his first public appearance in Chicago since his 2008 election-night victory rally in Grant Park.

Questionnaires elicited more detail than Senate rivals have offered on campaign trailThe national health care debate is a hot topic in midterm elections around much of the country, but it has been little mentioned this fall by leading U.S. Senate candidates Alexi Giannoulias and Mark Kirk.