SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | Illinois lawmakers have given preliminary approval to a plan to hold the special election for former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.'s House seat on April 9.
Gov. Pat Quinn wants to hold the election to coincide with previously scheduled municipal elections. Quinn said doing so would save money.
But state law requires the election to be held within 115 days of a seat becoming vacant. That would have required the election for the 2nd Congressional District to be held March 19.
A House committee voted 5-0 Tuesday to allow the later election date. The bill now moves to the full House.
Jackson resigned from Congress last week, citing his battle with bipolar depression. He also acknowledged he is the subject of a federal probe.
The primary is set for Feb. 26.
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