Following the first impeachment of an Illinois governor in the state’s history, numerous candidates have begun their campaigns to take over the top executive position for Illinois.

The 2010 statewide elections will take place Nov. 2, 2010. The deadline to fill out candidacy forms was Monday.

Gov. Pat Quinn, who is looking to retain his position, will be running against a number of Republican challengers as well as fellow Democrat and State Comptroller Dan Hynes.

The top candidates for the Republican party include former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan, Ill. Sen. Bill Brady (R–44), Ill. Sen. Kirk Dillard (R–24), former Illinois Republican Chairman Andy McKenna, DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom, Springfield Councilman Frank Edwards and conservative activist Dan Proft.

The challenging candidates from both parties have all voiced a dissatisfaction with the current governor, stating issues such as state budget mismanagement, political corruption and job growth.

Quinn is trying to remain, because the job that he started is simply not done, said Quinn spokeswoman Elizabeth Austin.

“The governor plans to build on the successes of his public works plan and green energy policy, as well as the stimulus plan passed by President Obama,” Austin said.

Quinn’s Democratic opponent Dan Hynes has criticized the governor’s current state budget, which faces an $11.5 billion deficit for the 2009–2010 fiscal year. Hynes plans to implement a progressive tax to replace the current flat–rate tax. This tax would keep taxes the same for those making under $200,000 a year, while raising taxes incrementally for those who make more than this, said Matt McGrath, Hynes’s spokesman

“We are almost to the point where the state can’t function,” McGrath said. “Resolving that is the number one.”

The Republic candidates said they disagreed with plans for tax increases.

“If you travel around the state and talk to voters, there is a consensus that what is going on in is not OK,” said Brad Hahn, Schillerstrom’s spokeswoman. “The state refuses to address budget problems. We have become a national punch line.”

Dillard said he decided it was time to join the race after he saw that the state legislation was going to begin the spring session without a balanced budget for the third year in a row. He stressed the need to promote private sector jobs by looking at tax structure and incentives and by reducing the cost of workmen’s compensation insurance.

“I got in because I couldn’t take it anymore and thought I had a unique background and a plan to make Illinois a destination economy in terms of job creation,” Dillard said. “I think I offer the Republicans the best hopes because of my experience as Jim Edgar’s chief of staff.”

On the issue of higher education, all candidates said it was a high priority for the state and that they fully support maintaining the student Monetary Award Program, or MAP grants.

“There is no question (MAP grants should be funded), for Illinois’ future, especially now with the state of the economy,” McGrath said. ”Now is not a time to give short drift higher education.”