State Rep. Jeanne Ives has begun circulating petitions to take on incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner in the Republican primary.
The Wheaton lawmaker has publicly mulled a run against the first-term GOP governor for several weeks, after Rauner signed a measure to allow Illinois to cover abortions for state employees and Medicaid recipients.
Ives said earlier this month that she was "exploring the option by having important conversations with folks around the state” about "challenging the unprincipled and morally bankrupt politicians who have failed to deliver reforms demanded by taxpayers, business and ordinary citizens that have played by the rules and yet, find themselves ignored by leader in both parties."
Ives was looking into forming an exploratory committee, sources said last week, adding that she would likely run if she could raise $1 million.
Her nominating petitions list former state Rep. Rich Morthland as her pick for lieutenant governor. Morthland, of Cordova, is a Rock Island County Board member after serving in the Illinois House from 2011 through 2013.
While Ives has not formally announced her candidacy, signatures are due Dec. 4 in order to qualify for a spot on the March 20 primary election ballot.
