Cycling Tips & Stories

Two candidates running for mayor of this Southern Illinois community are getting attention — and funding — from Springfield and Chicago.

Officials in both state parties say they're just supporting the candidate they like in the mayoral election, which pits Mayor Brad Cole, a Republican, against Democratic challenger Sheila Simon, a City Council member and daughter of the late Sen. Paul Simon. . .

Simon describes her politics as "progressive'' in the tradition of her father, but with a heavier emphasis on environmentalism. Her campaign is rooted partly in intangibles such as "fostering more public participation'' in government.

She has a strict $50 campaign contribution limit that even those at her Chicago fundraiser were made to adhere to. She rides her bike to work almost year-round. She plays the banjo.

Her supporters say her quirky demeanor doesn't negate what they see as natural political gifts.