JUNE 9, 2013 UPDATE!!  Harold said "...I think everyone at the time acknowledged that it would be best if the voters themselves were deciding. That, she said, is why she is running." http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2013-06-09/tom-kacich-harold-campaign-gains-early-follower.html ;

UPDATE!!   MAY 19, 2012 -  THE REPUBLICAN COUNTY CHAIRS SELECTED A NOMINEE.    Do you  believe that Illinois Republicans' basic voting rights were denied?   Your expression of discontent of this primary process might be a seed that is planted in the legislature that helps bring about needed reform.   

An "open and transparent" process would at the very least released the primary and secondary casted votes of the Republican Party Chairman AND give more time than 17 days (May 2nd to May 19th) for the citizens across the vast "13th" to assist in vetting applicants to become the replacement nominee.  Although he has yet to sign the petition, the GOP Chairman's selected Republican congressional nominee states:
"VOTERS ARE THE ONES WHO DESERVE TO SELECT THEIR CANDIDATES." 

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     "All this argues for more special elections to fill vacancies..." - see link below

Since the Illinois GOP has until AUGUST 23rd to appoint a replacement nominee, we are requesting the 14 County Chairman to immediately begin the formation of a SPECIAL ELECTION to return the vote to the PEOPLE.  

Citizens of the 13th Congressional District DESERVE to have the freedom to DIRECTLY choose their respective candidate to the People’s House.    Voters should not continue to tolerate Post-Primary political deal-making.   

In case you are unfamiliar with the current political situation across Central Illinois, here are a couple links to articles that may inform you of this situation:

http://wjbc.com/johnson-faces-scrutiny-over-timing-of-retirement/   Several Republicans in McLean County and even some of the other party chairmen believe that the timing of the announcement was part of a “setup” so that Johnson could hand off the seat to his former top aide, Jerry Clarke, said McLean County Republican Party chairman John Parrott.

http://capitolfax.com/2012/04/24/doyle-wants-in-mccarter-is-out/  “You know what’s really insulting about this? It didn’t just happen,” McCarter charged. “There was talk of this happening a year ago, and it’s a real insult to the people. Like I said, their vote was taken away from them.”

http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x1942562091/Our-Opinion-Johnson-s-actions-are-puzzling Our Opinion: Johnson's actions are puzzling

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-05-03/news/ct-edit-walsh-20120503_1_special-elections-general-election-illinois-house     "Illinois politicians are geniuses at timing their departures.    U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson of Champaign announced after the primary that he was quitting.    Pols get to fill his spot on the ballot.   All this argues for more special elections to fill vacancies, for moving the primary election date closer to the general election and for an end to gerrymandering so competitive districts give voters a say in who represents them."  

With all due respect to the GOP bosses, we can comfortably say that Congressman Johnson’s withdrawal just over a week after winning the March 20 Primary has given many voters the ill-feeling of a predetermined  Illinois-style “backroom deal”.     Therefore, since the Illinois GOP have until August 23rd to appoint a replacement nominee, we are requesting the 14 County Chairman to immediately begin the formation of a SPECIAL ELECTION to return the vote to the PEOPLE.   

If you believe citizens should directly elect candidates to the People's House, sign this petition!