Cross concedes to Frerichs in IL treasurer's race

CHICAGO (WLS) -- More than two weeks after the November 4 election, there is a winner in the Illinois treasurer's race. Republican State Rep. Tom Cross conceded to Democratic State Sen. Mike Frerichs of Champaign on Wednesday.

This race was close, but not nearly as close as the initial count indicated it might be on election night. Two weeks ago, Rep. Cross led by just over 20,000 votes out of 3.5 million cast. But as absentee and provisional ballots were tallied, especially in the heavily Democratic city and Cook County, Cross' lead shrunk and eventually disappeared, giving Sen. Frerichs an insurmountable 10,000 vote lead.

This was the first year people could register and vote on the same day, which meant many thousands more provisional ballots that would take additional weeks to validate and count throughout the state.

Sen. Frerichs was especially grateful to those people who registered and voted on the same day, suggesting they may have been the difference.

"We're happy that people came out and exercised their right to vote. And you saw people waiting in line for hours on end, some people waiting in line on Election Day until 3 in the morning. We were very pleased with that response," Sen. Frerichs said.

In a statement, Rep. Cross wrote in part: "I have congratulated Senator Frerichs on a hard fought victory. Senator Frerichs has demonstrated time and time again his commitment to our state and that will serve all of us well as he becomes Illinois' next state treasurer."

The Cross concession is confirmation that he will not seek a recount. The Board of Elections in Springfield will certify the result on November 30.