Objection Season Ends — and the 45th Senate Race Exposes the Machinery of Illinois Politics
By Joshua T. Atkinson, Republican Candidate for State Senate, IL-45
FREEPORT, IL – November 11, 2025
Yesterday marked the final day to file challenges to candidate petitions for the March 17, 2025 Illinois Primary Election. Across the state, 584 candidates submitted petitions. By the end of the deadline, 113 objections were filed — meaning nearly one in five candidates may now have to fight just to remain on the ballot.
The objection process was originally created to prevent fraud.
Today, it is overwhelmingly used to remove challengers before voters ever get a choice.
And nowhere is this clearer than in the 45th State Senate race.
The Objection — and Who Really Filed It
An objection to Joshua T. Atkinson’s petitions was filed under:
Jogerst v. Atkinson
The objector listed is Stephenson County Board Member Lawrence “Larry” Jogerst.
But here’s what the records show:
Jogerst did not request copies of Atkinson’s petitions.
The petitions were instead pulled by Chicago political attorneys and campaign operatives tied directly to incumbent Senator Andrew Chesney.
Then, one hour before the deadline, Jogerst submitted the objection — becoming the face of a move orchestrated elsewhere.
This was not independent action.
This was the Chesney Machine shielding itself.
The Public Statement That Exposed the Coordination
Shortly after the objection was filed, a Facebook post appeared — not on Jogerst’s account, but on the official page of the: Stephenson County Republican Central Committee
The political organization chaired by Senator Andrew Chesney himself.
Their message:
“An objection was filed today against Joshua Atkinson’s petitions… Thank you, Larry Jogerst, for your leadership.”
If this were truly Jogerst acting alone, the announcement would not have come from the committee chaired by the man who benefits.
Atkinson Responds — In His Own Words
Here is Atkinson’s response exactly as posted:
“Tell District 45 you’re scared… without telling them you’re scared. 👀
Andy couldn’t even man up and put his own name on it. He waited until an hour before the deadline and had one of his buddies on the Stephenson County Board do his dirty work and file the objection.Time will tell how this game plays out — but let’s be clear: even if Andy successfully keeps me off the ballot and denies the voters of Northwest Illinois a real choice, I’ll still hold my head up high. Because I will have proven exactly what kind of coward we have representing us in Springfield.
A Senator who talks tough around donors but is too afraid to face his constituents. Too afraid to do the work himself.
This is why Northwest Illinois is hurting.
This is why we need change.
This is why I chose to run.
And this is why I’m not going anywhere.And for the record, Andy — a real Republican has a pair and doesn’t hide behind his friends.”
Agree with the tone or not — the contrast is unmistakable:
One man filed in the shadows.
The other spoke in the open.
The Detail That Proves This Was About Power — Not Integrity
According to the Stephenson County Clerk, no objections were filed in any local races — not for:
County Board
County Clerk
Sheriff
Coroner
Township or district-level offices
Not a single challenge.
The only race targeted was the one that controls:
State-level power
Funding influence
Committee leverage
Appointments
Contract access
The only race the machine needed to protect.
This was never about signatures.
This was about control.
What This Means for Northwest Illinois
This is not about handwriting or whether someone used block letters instead of cursive.
This is about whether the people choose their leaders — or the political insiders do.
If a politician tries to win by eliminating choice before an election,
then the voters have already learned everything they need to know.
And whether the decision lands:
in this primary,
in a future ballot,
or further down the line —
Northwest Illinois voters will have the final say.
Because here’s the truth that no consultant, no strategist, and no machine can erase:
Money can buy lawyers.
Money can buy consultants.
Money can buy messaging.
Money can buy quiet favors.But money cannot buy class.
Money cannot buy courage.
Money cannot buy respect.
And in this district?
Character still matters.
Courage still matters.
The people still matter.
Atkinson stands on that ground —
and that ground does not move.
