COMPTROLLER Michael J. Bakalis came
through for the Democrats and announced his
candidacy for governor October 13. The Democrats had been hard pressed to find a top candidate
willing to run against Gov. James R. Thompson.
Both Secy. of State Alan Dixon and former Gov.
Dan Walker had announced in September that
they would not run for governor in 1978. Bakalis,
one of Thompson's few persistent critics, had been
talking like a candidate for either governor or U.S.
senator for some time but generated considerable
suspense and press coverage by his delay in
announcing his final decision. In 1970, Bakalis,
then a political unknown, won election as
superintendent of public instruction, defeating
Republican incumbent Ray Page. In 1976, he was
elected comptroller by a sizeable margin over
incumbent George W. Lindberg.
Two other announced Democratic candidates for governor are retired Air Force Sergeant James (Jim) Hunt, who owns a restaurant in Piasa, and Dakin Williams, a Collinsville attorney and brother of playwright Tennessee Williams.
U.S. Senate races
Two other formidable incumbents the Democrats have to face are Atty. Gen. William J. Scott
and U.S. Sen. Charles H. Percy, both seeking
third terms. Democrat Alex Seith of Hinsdale
squared off early against Percy, announcing his
candidacy July 27. An attorney with a strong
background in foreign affairs, Seith is past
president of the Chicago Council on Foreign
Relations and a member of President Jimmy
Carter's board on ambassador appointments.
Also running for the Democratic nomination for
senator is Anthony R. Martin-Trigona, Chicago.
Percy may be challenged in the Republican primary by ERA opponent Phyllis Schlafly of Alton,
who says people have been urging her to run.
U.S. House, 22nd district
Primary battles are expected by both parties for
the 22nd congressional district seat held for 20
years by U.S. Rep. George E. Shipley, Democrat
from Olney. Shipley's decision to retire at the end
of his term put the east central Illinois district up
for grabs. Whoever wins the seat will probably
keep it because congressional incumbents are
seldom defeated. On the Democratic side,
Assistant Senate Majority Leader Terry L. Bruce
(D., Olney), announced his candidacy September
19. Shipley's brother-in-law and administrative
assistant, Donald Watson of Olney, declared early
in September. Rep. Rolland F. Tipsword (D.,
Taylorville) planned to tell his decision in mid-
October. Still undecided were Rep. Richard H.
Brummer(D., Effingham) and former Rep.
Charles F. K.eller(D., Effingham). Among
Republicans, Coles County Republican Chairman Herb Brooks announced in midsummer but
withdrew from the race September 28. Eugene
Stunkel, a Danville real estate developer, declared
his candidacy September 21. Rep. Roscoe D.
Cunningham (R., Lawrenceville) said he would
announce his decision October 14. Still thinking it
over in mid-October were Sen. Max E. Coffey(R.,
Charleston) and two other possible candidates,
Rep. Jim Edgar (R., Charleston) and William
Young, a Danville attorney who lost to Shipley in
1974.
Deadlines for filing
Filing deadlines for the March primary elections are December 12-19, and the Democrats'
new, three-step slate-making system concludes
November 15 with the endorsement of a slate by
the State Central Committee in Springfield.
The system gives more power to the state
committee and to independent and downstate
Democrats. But the Democrats need strong
candidates at the top of the ticket to keep their
majority in the General Assembly. Reapportionment of the state's election districts by the
legislature is required in 1981, giving an added
edge to next year's legislative races.
Republicans rely on primaries rather than slatemaking committees to select their candidates. The Republican State Central Committee does not hold hearings or elect a slate, though some county organizations do. Gov. Thompson is staying out of primary races at the state level but made news when he named possible Republican candidates for Cook County offices at the GOP Governors' Conference in October. However, the governor decided not to endorse any Cook county candidates after all.
In other developments, the Coalition for Political Honesty, Oak Park, launched a petition drive for an advisory referendum on open primaries. The group must turn in 650,000 signatures by August 21 to get the proposal on the ballot in the November general elections. Another citizens' group, the Committee for Legislative Reform, Chicago, is seeking to place before the voters a proposed constitutional amendment that would abolish cumulative voting in Illinois and reduce the size of the House from 177 to 118 members. About 400,000 signatures are needed by May 5 to get the amendment on the ballot. The amendment would become effective if approved by three-fifths of those voting on the amendment or a majority of those voting in the election. ž
November 1977 / Illinois Issues / 15