(The Center Square) – Common Cause Illinois is urging lawmakers to close what it calls an “anti-democratic” loophole after Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García cleared the path for his chief of staff to run unopposed.

García, D-Chicago, filed for reelection on Oct. 27, but minutes before the Nov. 3 deadline, his chief of staff entered the race. The congressman announced he was going to retire the next day, and documents later showed he had signed his chief of staff’s petition in advance, raising concerns about a coordinated effort that watchdogs say denied voters a real choice.

“Voters are sick of political gameplay that robs them of their choices, whether that be through partisan gerrymandering or, as appears to have happened here, coordination to limit the possibility of additional candidates runn

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