NONINCUMBENTS — not present senators — will dominate the November contests for Senate seats across the state. Forty-six nonincumbents are challenging 28 incumbents for the 40 available seats (one senator is elected from each of the 59 legislative districts, but not all terms expire the same year).
Following the provisions of the 1970 Constitution, the General Assembly divided all legislative districts into three groups for Senate elections. The entire Senate, following the 1970 decennial redistricting, was elected in 1972 but for terms of different lengths. Only one-third of the senators faced reelection in 1974. This year, two-thirds of the seats will be contested. There are 21 vacancies for two-year terms and 19 for four-year terms. In 1978 the remaining one-third of the senators will be on the ballot. When it is time for the next redistricting after the 1980 census, persons in each of the three groups will have had the opportunity to serve identical amounts of time.
Thirteen incumbents will not be returning to the Senate next year. Seven didn't choose to run, four are candidates for other offices and two were defeated in the primary.
Retiring members include Howard R. Mohr (R., Forest Park), Terrel E. Clarke (R., Western Springs), Ben E. Palmer (D., Chicago), Kenneth W. Course (D., Chicago), Daniel Dougherty (D., Chicago), Clifford B. Latherow (R., Carthage) and Tom Merritt (R., Hoopeston).
Two incumbents — Senate President Cecil A. Partee (D., Chicago) and Senate Minority Leader William Harris (R., Pontiac) — are seeking election to state executive posts. Partee is running for the office of attorney general, and Harris is seeking election as secretary of state. Michael Brady (D., Chicago) is a candidate for the Illinois House and Harold Nudelman(D., Chicago) has been nominated for a circuit court judgeship.
Harris W. Fawell (R., Naperville) was defeated in the race for a seat on the Supreme Court and Raymond Welsh (D., Oak Park) lost in the primary in his bid for reelection to the Senate.
Illinois Issues mailed survey questionnaires to those nominated by party primaries as Senate candidates in the November election. A list of candidates for these seats follows with brief biographical information. Candidates were also invited to answer a general question on what they would do to alleviate problems caused by the tight fiscal condition in the state. An analysis of responses is below.
Illinois Issues reported on candidates for the House in its June and July magazines. Upcoming issues will also cover candidates for judicial seats, Congressional districts and statewide executive offices. / žB.J. V.
20/ August 1976/ Illinois Issues