llinois is the "laughingstock of the nation," Bob Schillerstrom says — but he isn't laughing. Instead, Naperville resident and DuPage County board chairman Schillerstrom announced Sunday his bid for the gubernatorial candidacy in hopes that he can turn Illinois government back into an example for the nation.

Judge Kenneth L. Popejoy has announced his candidacy for the Second District Appellate Court in Elgin, which covers Naperville.

DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom believes he is the man to lead the state of Illinois out of its political doldrums.

Bob Schillerstrom is checking out the possibility of seeking a higher office, and it looks like there are plenty of folks waiting in the wings, hoping to replace the outgoing chairman of the DuPage County Board.

Sometime in the next few days, Ethan Hastert, the 31-year-old son of former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, will file his campaign committee papers with the Federal Election Commission. He confirmed this week that he intends to run for his father's old seat, a decision he came to after months of soul-searching and reaching out to political leaders in the district.