Officials from State Sen. James Meeks' election campaign filed 50,000 signatures on behalf of the mayoral hopeful this afternoon. Meeks announced his candidacy at a rally last weekend. Supporters of outgoing U.S. Sen. Roland Burris also turned in roughly 20,000 nomination signatures. Burris, who was aware of the volunteer effort, says he is still deciding whether or not to run.

Political neophyte Rob Halpin -- currently renting Rahm Emanuel's North Side house -- entered the mayoral contest before the afternoon deadline, as well. "People approached me and they thought I would be a good mayor," Halpin told the Tribune after dropping off his petitions.