Frerichs takes treasurer race

By Daily Illini Staff Report

Mike Frerichs (D-52) was announced as the winner of the Illinois Treasurer’s race over his opponent Tom Cross (R-84) by a margin of 0.27 percent or 9,439 votes.

Cross conceded defeat Wednesday, multiple news agencies reported.

With about 3.5 million votes cast, the 9,439 votes separating the candidates makes the race one of the closest in Illinois history. The current record was set in the 1982 gubernatorial election when Republican James R. Thompson beat Democrat Adlai E. Stevenson III by 5,074 votes.

The race, announced weeks after the Nov. 4 election, has been plagued with accusations of voter fraud. Cross’ campaign questioned the Chicago Board of Elections about ballot “irregularities” in a letter Cross’ attorney William J. Quinlan sent to the board.

The election results will be certified by the Illinois State Board of Elections on Nov. 30. If Cross decides to file a recount, the request must be filed by Dec. 5. The “discovery recount” is non-binding, but can be used as evidence in an election contest, which must be filed by Dec. 15.

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The final vote count on Nov. 18 was 1,693,467 for Frerichs and 1,684,028 for Cross.