The Springfield Journal-Register is reporting that former U.S. Representative Debbie Halvorson, who won a seat in Congress in the old Kankakee/LaSalle-based IL-11 in 2008 only to lose that seat in 2010 to Republican Adam Kinzinger, and then attempted to primary Jesse Jackson Jr., whose recent resignation has triggered a special election, in March of this year, losing by a huge margin, will run for the Democratic nomination in the upcoming IL-2 special election.
Here's the full story from the Journal-Register:
Former U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson says she's officially running to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. in Congress.
Halvorson launched her campaign today, saying she's received numerous calls from elected officials, community leaders and residents of the 2nd Congressional District urging her to run. In a statement today, Halvorson touts her experience in Congress and says that will allow her to get to work without having to go through freshman orientation, if she's elected.
Halvorson lost to Jackson in the Democratic primary this year. She'd served in Congress before losing the 2010 election in what was the 11th Congressional District before district lines were redrawn.
Halvorson also spent 12 years in the Illinois Senate where she served as Democratic majority leader.
Jackson resigned last week, citing his ongoing treatment for bipolar disorder.
Many other Democrats may also run in the special Democratic primary, which, barring a cash-in-the-freezer situation, should be tantamount to election in IL-2, as it has a small Black majority and is overwhelmingly Democratic.
Also, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has announced that the special primaries will be held on Feburary 26, 2013 and the special general election will be held on March 19, 2013.