Section 203.10  Independent Candidate Nominating Petition Filing Periods in Certain Municipalities

a)         In municipalities, excluding the City of Chicago, not under the commission form of government, with a population of more than 5,000, independent candidates may file their nominating petitions either:

1)         At the same time that candidates for party nominations would file their primary petitions – not more than 69 nor less than 59 days prior to the date of the primary election; or

2)         during the filing period for independent candidates as if no primary election were to be held – not more than 99 nor less than 64 days prior to the general municipal election.

b)         In municipalities not under the commission form of government, with a population of less than 5,000, independent candidates shall file their nominating petitions not more than 99 nor less than 64 days prior to the general municipal election.

Section 203.20  Independent Candidate Nominating Petition Filing Periods in Certain Townships

In a township of 5,000 or more inhabitants which is coextensive with or included wholly within a municipality not under commission form of municipal government, in a township of more than 7,500 inhabitants which is adjacent to a city of 75,000 or more inhabitants, or in a township not described in either of the above, wherein the township central committee determines that its candidates for township officers shall be nominated by primary election, i.e., in townships where primaries are permitted, independent candidates may file their nominating petitions either:

a)         At the same time that candidates for party nominations would file their primary petitions – not more than 69 nor less than 59 days prior to the date of the primary election; or

b)         during the filing period for independent candidates as if no primary election were to be held – not more than 99 nor less than 64 days prior to the general township election.

Section 203.30  Determination of Nominating Petition's Official Time of Filing

Where, pursuant to the provisions of either Regulation 3-1 or 3-2, any petition is filed containing one or more independent candidates, in the time period of not more than 69 nor less than 59 days prior to the date of the primary election, such petition shall be deemed to have been filed as of the opening of the office of the election authority on the first day for filing new political party petitions on the 99^th day prior to the general election.

Section 203.40  Independent Candidate Nominating Petition Filing Periods in Municipalities Conducting Annual Partisan Elections (Emergency Expired)

(Source:  Emergency rule added at 7 Ill. Reg. 16064, effective November 17, 1983, for a maximum of 150 days)