At least seven primary races are taking shape as candidates began filing petitions Monday for the March 20 Illinois primary election to earn spots on the ballot to qualify for the Nov. 6 general election.

Candidates for all offices except the United States House of Representatives began turning in their paperwork. The deadline is 5 p.m. Monday. The filing period for Congress begins Dec. 23 and ends Dec. 27.

While a number of nominations are uncontested, contests are emerging for the Illinois General Assembly, Lake County State’s Attorney, Lake County Recorder, Lake County Coroner and the Lake County Board.

With the retirement of state Sen. Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston), state Rep. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston) filed his petitions Monday in Springfield to succeed Schoenberg. No Republicans have filed.

Two Democrats, Northfield Township Clerk Laura Fine of Glenview and Jeff Smith of Evanston, submitted petitions to run for the seat currently held by Biss. No Republicans have filed.

In the race to succeed another retiring legislator, state Rep. Karen May (D-Highland Park), Republicans Mark Neerhof and Lauren Turelli of Lake Forest, filed petitions. Scott Drury of Highwood is the lone Democrat seeking the position.

Turelli polled 43 percent of the vote against May in 2010. Neerhof is making his first run for public office.

Six Seek State's Attorney's Job

The most spirited campaign may be for Lake County State’s Attorney with three Republicans and three Democrats each party vying for their party’s nod.

Lake Forest attorney and Libertyville resident Chris Kennedy, Mundelein lawyer Karen Williams and Lindenhurst attorney Reggie Mathews are all seeking the Democratic nomination. Republicans running are Louise Hayes of Lake Bluff, Bryan Winter of Lake Barrington and Mike Nerheim of Gurnee.

In other county wide contests, Thomas Rudd of Lake Forest will square off against incumbent Artis Yancey of Waukegan for Lake County Coroner on the Democratic side. The lone Republican to file so far is Steve Newton of Antioch.

Two Republicans, Marty Blumenthal of Highland Park and Bob Bedner of Mundelein will compete in the primary for Lake County Recorder. The winner will face incumbent Democrat Mary Ellen Vanderventer who told Patch today she will file her paperwork this week.

Lake Forest and Lake Bluff will have a lot of primary activity. Former Lake Forest Mayor Mike Rummel and former Lake Forest Caucus President Scott Helton will run against each other for the Lake County Board District 12 seat. The constituency includes all of Lake Forest and parts of Highland Park and Deerfield.

In Lake County Board District 13, two former Lake Bluff Village Board members—Dave Barkhausen and Rick Lesser—will join Jay Krasne of Gurnee competing for the Republican nomination. No Democrat has filed in either District 12 or 13.

In the campaign for the Lake County Board District 15 seat, two Libertyville Republicans—Carol Calabresa and Dan Donahue—will run in the primary. No Democrat has yet entered.

Another primary contest is emerging for Clerk of the Lake County Circuit Court between Republicans Keith Brin of Highland Park and Gerald Dietz of Round Lake.

Some Primaries Are Uncontested

In uncontested campaigns for party nominations, West Deerfield Township Supervisor Julie Morrison of Deerfield handed in her paperwork for the Democratic nomination to succeed retiring state Sen. Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest). Highland Park Pediatrician Arie Friedman filed for the Republican slot.

State Rep. Elaine Nekritz (D-Northbrook) filed her petitions to seek a sixth term. Jonathan Greenberg of Northbrook is the lone Republican looking to run against Nekritz.

State Sen. Terry Link (D-Waukegan) plans to file his petitions later this week for another term. No Republican has declared intentions to oppose him.

In the 59^th General Assembly District state Rep. Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills) and state Rep. Sid Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) have been remapped into the same constituency. Sente filed her petitions Monday and Mathias plans to do the same later this week. State Rep. Robyn Gable (D-Evanston) is uncontested for reelection.

Highland Park City Councilman Steve Mandel is seeking the Democratic nomination for the Lake County Board District 12 spot. No Republican has indicated a run for the nomination yet.