It will be a very busy weekend for Chicago politicians who may be scrambling at the last minute to get signatures on the ballot.
The filing deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. After Rep. Luis Gutierrez's surprise decision not to run, there's new speculation about the only incumbent congressman not yet to file, Rep. Bobby Rush.
Early this morning Ald. Howard Brookins decided he's in. Now, NBC 5 has learned City Treasurer Kurt Summers is considering throwing his name on the ballot as well. If so, they need more than 1,200 good signatures, traditionally they want three times the number needed, in case names are challenged.
Adding to the Rush intrigue -- his son Flynn Rush is collecting petitions to run as a state representative, which has some speculating, might the congressman pass the baton to his son at the last minute?
Brookins says "nobody wants to feel like they were cheated" out of an opportunity to run should there be a rare opening. Rush has served in Congress for nearly 25 years. However, those circulating petitions for Rush, like Darryl Smith says "despite the rumors the Congressman is running."
The final day to file also happens to be the anniversary of Fred Hampton's Death, an important date for Rush as a former Black Panther. Rush also filed on the very last day two years ago.
