ST. LOUIS – The co-chairwoman of a committee that will select a Democratic nominee for a southern Illinois congressional race said Friday the panel will decide early next week on the number of applicants to be publicly interviewed.

Democratic hopefuls for the 12th Congressional District seat had until the close of business Friday to submit questionnaires to apply for a shot at the position being vacated by 11-term Rep. Jerry Costello.

Randolph County Circuit Clerk Barb Brown, who along with Costello is co-chairing the selection panel, said Friday morning that at least four applications had been received. By afternoon, as the cutoff approached, Brown said she could not immediately say whether others had entered the fray, and that it was unlikely the total number of applicants would be made public anyway.