A Democratic challenger to incumbent Governor Pat Quinn says he received the "best news in the world" Thursday morning, he gets to remain on the ballot.
Not anyone can run for office in Illinois. Getting on the ballot requires turning in paperwork, including signatures of registered voters.
Tio Hardiman, the former director of the anti-violence group Ceasefire, says he did that.
"We put a lot of work into this campaign. We've traveled the entire state, it's not like we just jumped up overnight and said let's run for governor," Hardiman said.
But it was nearly blown. There was a voter registration discrepancy with Hardiman's lieutenant governor candidate's address, and Illinois now requires a governor file with a running mate.
Attorneys hired by Quinn's campaign cited that in a bid to get Hardiman off the ballot. But before state elections authorities could decide the matter, the governor's team dropped the objection.
"And to be honest with you and the listeners, Gov. Quinn's team took us through everything that Indiana Jones went through in the Temple of Doom. I'm just happy, okay? That's the reason I'm talking like this," Hhardiman said.
Still, at last check, Hardiman had 1 percent of the $4.5 million Quinn has to spend on the race.
