Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon has officially announced that she's running for Illinois comptroller, ending five months of uncertainty about which statewide office she'll seek in 2014.
The Carbondale Democrat made her announcement Wednesday morning in downtown Chicago.
The comptroller is central to handling Illinois' tax money and maintains the state's accounts, paying bills and signing checks to employees.
Simon could face Will County Auditor Duffy Blackburn in a Democratic primary.
Meanwhile, Republican Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka is seeking re-election and has a fundraising advantage.
She's a former state treasurer and gubernatorial candidate.
Simon announced in February that she wouldn't seek another term with Gov. Pat Quinn.