Third party and independent political candidates for statewide office have it tough in Illinois. They have to gather 25,000 signatures just to get on the ballot – five times more than their established party counterparts – and their signature petitions are usually challenged by the established parties to knock them off the ballot. To “establish” his or her party in the state, a candidate must get five percent of the vote in a statewide election.

But at least one Illinois group is giving outsider candidates a fair shake. The Free and Equal Elections Foundation in Chicago is holding its third annual Illinois Gubernatorial Debate from 7 to 9 p.m. July 8, and the forum will feature seven of the 10 contenders – including four candidates running as independents or from non-established parties.

“Until recently, Illinois has not seen a truly inclusive debate since Libertarian Robin Miller joined Al Salvi and Dick Durbin for a threeway debate for U.S. Senate in 1996,” said Free & Equal Founder and Chair Christina Tobin. “Salvi and Durbin were brave enough to face a bigger and broader debate. I challenge Pat Quinn and Bill Brady to live up to their example, show some backbone and debate all serious contenders.”

For more information, visit www.freeandequal.org.