Neely is sworn in as city treasurer in May
2011. (Nancy Stone/ Chicago Tribune)
The Chicago Tribune is reporting that Gov. Quinn has spoken to Chicago City Treasurer Stephanie Neely about being his lieutenant governor running mate.
Selecting Neely, an African-American woman, could help Quinn with black voters who have increasingly been divided over Quinn's support of gay marriage and failure to enact any meaningful education reform.
A new state law requires candidates for governor and lieutenant governor to run as a team in next year’s March primary elections. And candidates for governor cannot begin circulating their nominating petitions until they secure a running mate. Candidacy petitions must be filed by early December.