There’s more daylight between the two candidates for state treasurer, and the lead now belongs to Democrat Mike Frerichs, a state senator from Champaign.
The unofficial count, as the last of the absentee and other votes have been counted, shows Frerichs leading Republican Tom Cross, a state representative from Oswego, by more than 9400 votes. Cross held the lead on Election Night.
Whoever is behind after the State Board of Elections meets November 30 can ask for a recount, but a Frerichs spokesman says a recount with the margin being as big as it is now would be frivolous. Republicans have U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) on their side in suggesting the election is worth investigating.