GENEVA – Instead of meeting a Christmas Eve filing deadline for the April 13 consolidated election, office-seekers now have until 5 p.m. Dec. 26 after legislative action.

The Legislature amended the election code so municipal clerks, school board secretaries, township clerks, park district and library secretaries and other local election officials are not required to accept candidate petitions until 5 p.m Dec. 24, Christmas Eve.

The amendment extends the deadline for all Illinois local governments. The first day to file nominating petitions is Dec. 17.