The Latest Breaking News from Kathleen Murphy

But does ballot position matter? Some experts say no. “It’s tradition. It’s part of the summer camp aspect of campaigning,” said political science professor Christopher Mooney. “But does it have an impact on average? No, it doesn’t. But again, in an individual case, who’s to say?”

Monday was the final day of the weeklong period for candidates for federal, state and local offices to file their paperwork to win a spot on the June 28 primary ballot.

Former state Rep. Jeanne Ives, who ran against former Gov. Bruce Rauner in the Republican primary in 2018, endorsed Darren Bailey for “his courage and experience” and warned rivals Richard Irvin and Avery Bourne “cannot be trusted.”

The other four contenders in the crowded GOP gubernatorial primary have already firmed up their tickets, allowing them to begin circulating the petitions required to get them on the ballot. "It takes time to vet candidates," Sullivan said of the delay.