Illinois joins other states in challenging Trump's 2024 presidential candidacy

CHICAGO - Illinois has joined the ranks of states challenging Donald Trump's candidacy for the 2024 elections.

Simultaneously, Trump faces a critical deadline in Colorado, where he has petitioned the US Supreme Court to overturn attempts to remove him from the state's primary ballot, with the finalization deadline on Friday.

Voting rights groups nationwide are questioning Trump's eligibility under the 14th Amendment's rarely used Insurrection Clause, citing his actions on January 6th. In Illinois, a group made up of five voters filed the challenge, prompting the state election board to express doubts about its authority to invoke the clause to disqualify a presidential candidate. The board 

The 87-page document lays out a case that Trump, having lost the 2020 election to Democrat Joe Biden, fanned the flames of hardcore supporters who attacked the Capitol on the day Congress certified the election results. The riot left five dead and more than 100 injured.

The Illinois State Board of Elections has suggested that the state's courts or legislature should resolve the dispute. The board is set to hear 32 other objections to the proposed ballot at its Jan. 11 meeting.

The Illinois primary is scheduled for March 19, with the general election on November 5. According to state election law, challenges to presidential nominating petitions can occur through January 12.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden's campaign has filed paperwork to appear on the March 19 Illinois Democratic primary ballot. However, he has no challengers in the state.

On the Republican side, Trump, Ron DeSantis, and Nikki Haley have filed their petitions and required paperwork in Illinois.

On Friday, Biden is expected to portray Trump as a threat to the republic during a visit to Valley Forge. Both Biden and Trump engage in a tug of war, each accusing the other of being a threat to democracy.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.