House GOP: Greenwood Petitions "Immediate Disqualifier"
Former Rep. LaToya Greenwood, who is attempting to make a comeback in 2024. She’s facing a challenge to her nominating petitions.
NOTE: This story was originally posted for subscribers only. To receive subscriber-only newsletters and content, click here.
What is likely to be the most intense state house race in Illinois in 2024 is off to a testy start as Republicans are attempting to stop former Rep. LaToya Greenwood’s comeback attempt by accusing her of filing fraudulent petitions.
Greenwood is seeking a return to the legislature after losing in an upset to Rep. Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) in 2022 in a longtime Democrat-held seat that covers most of heavily Black, heavily Democrat East St. Louis.
Democrats have made Greenwood one of their highest priorities in 2024 while Schmidt has struggled to raise money to protect his seat next year.
Republicans are, meanwhile, raising a stink about Greenwood’s petitions to get on the spring ballot, claiming she and other circulators participated in a “pattern of fraud” in collecting and submitting the signatures. Greenwood’s petitions were challenged Monday by former GOP senate candidate Wavey Lester.
The Illinois State Board of Elections hasn’t released the challenge to Greenwood’s petitions, but we’re told the complaint alleges Greenwood and her circulators essentially forged signatures on the petitions.
“Though Greenwood has the backing of political insiders and monied special interests, she resorts to underhanded tactics to get on the ballot,” said House Republican Arm Executive Director Tony Esposito. “The people of the 114th District elected Kevin Schmidt instead of LaToya Greenwood for a reason. They are tired of the insiders' game and know Kevin Schmidt will prioritize them in Springfield.”
Removing Greenwood from the ballot could be a tall order. She filed around 1,600 signatures for the seat, more than three times the minimum number to qualify for the ballot. A judge could strike full petition sheets for a pattern of issues, though.
You can view Greenwood’s petitions here.
The House Democratic campaign arm did not return a message seeking comment and Greenwood couldn’t be reached. One top Democratic attorney told The Illinoize Monday the signatures all appear “different enough” and that it is legal for a circulator to fill in other parts of the petition sheet.
