Illinois defines a “political party” as a group that got 5% in the previous election. If it got 5% for Governor, it is ballot-qualified for all office. If it got 5% for any other statewide race, it is then ballot-qualified for all the statewide races, but no others. And if it gets 5% for a district or county or municipal partisan office, then it is a party in that district or place.

Representative Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee) has introduced HB 762, which lowers the 5% to 2%. It also lowers the number of signatures for independent candidates, and the nominees of unqualified parties, so they are equal to the number needed by candidates petitioning for a place on the primary ballot. A similar provision is included in a Senate bill introduced several weeks ago, SB 63.