Illinois Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon officially announced Wednesday that she's running for Illinois comptroller, ending five months of uncertainty about which statewide office she'll seek in 2014.
The Carbondale Democrat made her announcement Wednesday morning in downtown Chicago. Simon announced in February that she wouldn't seek another term with Gov. Pat Quinn.
Simon could face Will County Auditor Duffy Blackburn in a Democratic primary. Meanwhile, Republican Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka is seeking re-election and has a fundraising advantage. She's a former state treasurer and gubernatorial candidate.
The comptroller is central to handling Illinois' tax money and maintains the state's accounts, paying bills and signing checks to employees.