Quinn Wants Sheila Simon as his Running Mate as Dems Pick Lt. Gov. Candidate

Gov. Pat Quinn is set to announce that the daughter of the late U.S. Sen. Paul Simon is his pick for a running mate.

A person familiar with Quinn's selection process tells The Associated Press that Quinn wants Sheila Simon to fill the lieutenant governor spot. The person didn't want to pre-empt Quinn's announcement at a Friday afternoon news conference and would speak only on condition of anonymity.

While Simon might be Quinn's choice, the Democratic Party State Central Committee has the final say. They'll meet Saturday in Springfield to make the official pick.

Simon is a law professor at Southern Illinois University and a former member of the Carbondale City Council.

Democrats get to pick Quinn's running mate because primary winner Scott Lee Cohen quit amid questions about his past. Simon is on a list of finalists they'll choose from.