Retiring Northbrook Representative Running For Attorney General

NORTHBROOK, IL — After announcing earlier this summer she is not seeking reelection to the General Assembly, state representative and Illinois House Assistant Majority Leader Elaine Nekritz (D-Northbrook) has begun collecting signatures to appear on the ballot to replace Lisa Madigan as state Attorney General, the Daily Herald reports. Madigan broke the news she would not be running in 2018 on Friday, while Nekritz said in June she would not be pursuing a ninth term in the House and planned to "leave at the appropriate time before the end of [her] term."

Nekritz has until Dec. 4 to get the required number of signatures to appear on the ballot next year. She would also have to reactivate her inactive law license, according to the Daily Herald. Nekritz has represented the 57th District, including includes Northbrook, Buffalo Grove, Wheeling, Arlington Heights, Palatine and Mount Prospect, since 2003.

Nekritz told the paper she was taken by surprise by Madigan's announcement, but she is now ready for the challenge of ramping up a campaign for the state-wide office from scratch.

"It's a huge task," she told the Daily Herald, "but the same one that anyone else considering running [to replace Madigan] is faced with."(Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Northbrook — or your community. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Just one candidate, Republican Erika Harold, has already officially declared her candidacy for the post so far.

Other possible candidates who could challenge to become the state's top cop, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, include Chicago Park District President Jesse Ruiz, Rep. Scott Drury (D-Highwood), former U.S. Attorney Zach Fardon, Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx, McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks, Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago), State Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicag0) and former education board president Gary Chico.

_{Top photo Elaine Nekritz | Official portrait}