Six Democrats are running to become the party’s nominee for Illinois governor. Here’s a look at the candidates, in the order they will appear on the March 20 primary ballot:
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J.B. Pritzker:
Hometown: Chicago
Age: 53
Occupation: Businessman
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Duke University; Law degree, Northwestern University School of Law
Public offices held: None.
Professional experience: Entrepreneur who helped found Chicago tech incubator 1871. Early childhood education advocate, organizing President Barack Obama’s 2014 Summit on Early Childhood Education. Former chairman, Illinois Human Rights Commission. Helped Holocaust survivors build the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center.
Running mate: State Rep. Juliana Stratton, Chicago
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Chris Kennedy
Hometown: Kenilworth
Age: 54
Occupation: Founder of Top Box Foods, a non-profit that provides high-quality, affordable foods to needy Northern Illinois communities. Chairman of Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises, Inc.
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Boston College; master of business administration, Northwestern University Kellogg School of Business
Public offices held: None.
Professional experience: Former chairman, University of Illinois Board of Trustees; former president of Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.; former chairman, Greater Chicago Food Depository; current board member, Ariel Mutual Funds; former Lund-Gill Chair at Dominican University. Taught honors course on effects of government and community policies on social justice organizations.
Running mate: Ra Joy, Chicago
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Daniel Biss
Hometown: Evanston
Age: 40
Occupation: State senator
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Harvard University; doctorate in mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Public offices held: Illinois House of Representatives, 2011-2012. Elected to Illinois Senate in 2012.
Professional experience: Former math teacher at North Lawndale High School and the University of Chicago. Member, Evanston Environment Board; former president, Democratic Party of Evanston; board member, Indo-American Democratic Organization; social action committee member, Temple Beth Israel.
Running mate: State Rep. Litesa Wallace, Rockford
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Bob Daiber
Age: 61
Hometown: Marine
Occupation: Regional schools superintendent, township supervisor, farmer.
Education: Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, Eastern Illinois University. Doctorate in education, Southern Illinois University_Edwardsville.
Public offices held: Marine Township supervisor, 2001 to present; former Madison County Board member; former member of Marine village board; Appointed regional superintendent of schools in 2007 and elected in 2008, 2010 and 2014.
Professional experience: Career and technical teacher at Triad High School in Troy, 1979-2007; Member, Illinois Education Association, including four years as local president. With wife Karen, owns 250 acres of farmland in four locations in Madison and Macoupin counties. Personally farms 120 acres, corn and beans.
Running mate: Jonathan Todd, Chicago
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Tio Hardiman
Hometown: Calumet City
Age: 55
Occupation: President of Violence Interrupters, a not-for-profit anti-violence organization. Adjunct professor of criminal justice and restorative justice.
Education: Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in inner city studies, Northeastern Illinois University.
Public offices held: None.
Professional experience: Former director of CeaseFire Illinois; violence prevention expert and adjunct professor; community leader.
Running mate: Patricia Avery, Champaign
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Robert Marshall
Hometown: Burr Ridge
Age: 75
Occupation: Physician
Education: Phillips Exeter Academy, Oberlin College, Harvard Medical School.
Public offices held: Former trustee, Burr Ridge Village Board.
Professional experience: Physician since 1969.
Running mate: Dennis Cole, Westchester