Jim Hickey Running for Jesse Jackson Jr.’s Old Seat

The race to replace Jesse Jackson’s Jr. just got another runner.

James Hickey, the Orland Fire Protection District board president who lost to Rep. Bill Foster in the March primary, announced his intention to campaign for the recently-opened 2nd Congressional District seat.

Hickey joins an ever-lengthening list of candidates now including recently re-elected State Sen. Toi Hutchinson, former congresswoman and Hutchinson’s previous boss Debbie Halvorson, former state representative Robin Kelly, former NFL running back Napolean Harris and former congressman Mel Reynolds, who himself resigned from the 2nd district in 1995 after he was convicted of sex crimes.

Several other candidates have entered the race, according to CBS.

“What the 2nd District has lacked for far too many years is a representative who is concerned about the interests of the people,” Hickey said, in a press release. “Instead of ignoring the district’s families and businesses, I will be front and center in their face with my mouth shut and my ears wide open. I want to hear what residents believe needs to be done and I will fight for their rights.”

Hickey wished Jackson “the best,” and said in the release that he would focus on “improving the economy and creating jobs, funding and improving education.”

The new 2nd Congressional District starts at East Hyde Park and the lake shore on the north, the Indiana border on the east, Kankakee in the south and running just west of I-57. The district includes Chicago Heights, Homewood, Flossmoor, Oak Forest and Tinley Park.

The special primary election will be held Feb. 26, and March 19 for the general election.

Look at all of the Illinois congressional, as well as state senate and house, districts on an interactive map.

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