Quinn signs bill moving back Ill. primary

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois primary is going back to March.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation Wednesday at the state Capitol to move the primary back to the third Tuesday in March.

March is when Illinois primaries typically were held. But majority Democrats in the Legislature moved it up to February in 2008 to help favorite son PresidentBarack Obama in his quest for the Democratic nomination.

This year's Feb. 2 primary came just weeks after the holidays when few people pay attention to politics.

Quinn says having more time to choose candidates will increase voter turnout and involvement in the election process.

The March primary will resume in 2012.