June Rhymes with Inopportune

If elections are a football game then the 2022 Illinois Primary just had the goalposts moved:

Illinois lawmakers sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker legislation to move next year's March 15 primary to June 28
Illinois legislators send to Gov. J.B. Pritzker a bill to move 2022 primary to June 28 and make curbside voting a permanent fixture of elections

The 2022 Primary petition period was also reduced from 12 weeks to 7 weeks:

Candidates would begin circulating petitions on Jan. 13 and would file them with the State Board of Elections between March 7 and 14.
Illinois legislators send to Gov. J.B. Pritzker a bill to move 2022 primary to June 28 and make curbside voting a permanent fixture of elections

Shortening the petition period runs out the clock on challengers, who lack the built-in campaign infrastructure that incumbents enjoy.  Like, for instance, entrenched incumbent 26th District State Senator Dan McConchie.

However, one local advance-man told your LakeCountyEye: "Casey Urlacher isn't worried. He plans to run as a write-in candidate."

Note to Ops: Make up your own NFL betting joke here.