SPRINGFIELD - New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann won a three-way Republican battle Tuesday to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller in Congress. | Schock ahead early in 18th District

With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, the 41-year-old Baldermann beat political newcomer Jimmy Lee and airline pilot Terry Heenan for the right to take on well-funded Democrat Debbie Halvorson, a state senator from Crete, in the November general election.

Jason Wallace of Normal also is running as a Green Party candidate.

Baldermann cruised with about 62 percent of the vote, with Heenan at 21 percent and Lee with 17 percent.

Baldermann campaigned for the 11th Congressional District post on a theme of experience. In addition to serving as mayor of the south suburban community, he is police chief in Chicago Ridge and a former school board member.

Halvorson, the majority leader of the Illinois Senate, was unopposed. She has spent the primary season raising more than $500,000 in hopes of wresting the seat out of Republican control.

"We're ready for November," said Halvorson's campaign manager Brian Doory.

Baldermann, who has raised more than $132,000, said he intends to focus on Halvorson's role in the discord among Democrats that kept Illinois lawmakers in Springfield for a record-setting overtime session last year.

Weller, a Republican from Morris, said last year he would not seek a 14th term in the House.