Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation finalizing the date for a special election to fill the vacant 2nd Congressional District seat.

The election to choose who will replace Jesse Jackson, Jr. will take place on April 9, 2013, a date on which local elections are already scheduled. This decision, according to the Office of Gov. Quinn, will save money for taxpayers and will allow voters to elect a new representative for the 113th Congress.

“This new law will save taxpayer dollars and help encourage greater participation on Election Day as voters choose their next leader to represent Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District,” Gov. Quinn said in a press release.

The Senate Bill 3338 Gov. Quinn signed into law allowed an extended period of time in which to schedule the election. Before the legislation was passed, the election would be required to take place within 115 days of writs being issued, said the press release.

This change in special election policy will save taxpayers the estimated $2.5 million it would cost to hold a separate special election, as approximated by the Illinois State Board of Elections.

The special election will choose a new representative from the 2nd Congressional District, which is comprised of approximately 420,000 registered voters.