Congressional Candidates File for Illinois Primary

After a caused by an ongoing lawsuit over Democrats’ new legislative maps, the filing period for congressional candidates ended Tuesday.

Republicans challenged the new maps, saying they disenfranchise minority groups and violate the state constitution. Earlier this month, three federal judges against the maps, which were .

As it stands, under the new maps, much of moves from the 13th District to the 3rd District, which has shifted west to include Palos Park, Homer Glen, Lockport, Romeoville and Crest Hill. The district is represented by Democratic incumbent Daniel Lipinski, a resident of Western Springs who is seeking re-election.

Challenging Lipinski for the Democratic nomination is Chicago resident Farah Baqai, who currently works as a Chicago police officer.

On the Republican side, the March 20 ballot will feature Richard L. Grabowski of Hometown, a materials supervisor at a manufacturing company; Arthur J. Jones of Lyons, an insurance representative; and attorney Jim Falvey of Western Springs.

Congresswoman Judy Biggert, who currently represents Lemont in the 13th District, is seeking election once again, this time in the new 11th District. She faces off against fellow Republicans John “Jack” Cunningham of Aurora and former Joliet mayoral candidate Diane Harris.

The new 11th District covers portions of Romeoville, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Woodridge, Darien, Channahon, Shorewood, Joliet, Naperville, Oswego and Montgomery, among other towns. The former 11th District was represented by freshman Republican Adam Kinzinger, who is now seeking the 16th District seat .

Seventy-eight people are running for Illinois' 18 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Candidate petitions may be challenged until Jan. 4.