From the Daily Herald:

Dead people signed senator's candidate petition, opponent alleges
By Russell Lissau | Daily Herald Staff
Contact writer
Published: 11/15/2007 4:28 PM | Updated: 11/16/2007 12:06 AM

State Sen. Terry Link's candidate petition contains forgeries and the signatures of at least two dead people, a political rival alleged Thursday.

Former North Chicago mayor Jerry Johnson, who's set to face Link in the Feb. 5 Democratic primary, has contested more than 2,500 of the signatures on the veteran senator's petition.

If upheld, the objection could knock Link, one of his party's most prominent leaders, off the ballot.

"It appeared to be very fraudulent," Johnson said of Link's paperwork. "They're absolutely bogus."

Link -- leader of the Lake County wing of the Democratic Party and the Senate's majority caucus chairman -- said he'd be disappointed if Johnson's allegations are true.

About a dozen volunteers and staff members collected signatures for his petition, he said. Link said he didn't collect any himself.

Criminal charges should be brought against anyone who committed fraud during the petition process, Link said.

"I don't condone that type of business," he said.

Even so, Link said he knows some of the signatures Johnson contested are legitimate.

"There are a lot of things that they're shooting in the dark at," Link said.

Three Democratic activists who support Link have challenged Johnson's petitions, too, but details of their complaints were not available Thursday. Both objections were filed Tuesday with the state elections board.

Candidates for the Senate seat needed to collect at least 1,000 signatures of registered voters living in the 30th District to appear on the ballot. If the elections board eliminates enough signatures after a formal review, a candidate can be kicked off a ballot.

The objections against petitions filed by Link and Johnson will be heard by the state board Monday in Chicago, but the cases likely won't be resolved until later.

Dan White, executive director of the elections board, declined to comment on Johnson's allegations or what could happen if Link's petition contains forgeries. Such a decision is up to the elections board, based on whatever facts are proven at the hearing, he said.

Link, of Waukegan, and Johnson, of North Chicago, are after a 4-year term. Most of the 30th District is in eastern Lake County, but it also includes a small part of northern Cook County.

A senator since 1997, Link won re-election to a fourth term in 2006. Link hasn't faced a primary opponent since his first campaign in 1996.

Johnson, a real estate broker, served as North Chicago's mayor from 1997 to 2001. This is his first bid for state office.

No Republicans filed to appear on the Feb. 5 ballot for the 30th District seat. After the primary, the GOP can appoint a contender who would appear on the general ballot in November.