The notice was issued Thursday from the office of Treasurer Dan Rutherford. The long-time Republican voice for central-Illinois is expected to announce his bid for Governor Sunday.

It's been at least a year now that Rutherford's been talking about the state's financial problems and what needs to be done to fix it. He's hinted about a run for the state's top job. Now that announcement is here.

State Treasurer Dan Rutherford will announce his plans formally at a series of stops and rallies beginning Sunday.

The first-term statewide officeholder confirmed Thursday that he'll launch a day's worth of rallies in Chicago Sunday and then head south for stops in his home-town Pontiac area and then Springfield. He'll make a formal announcement to the media Monday in Springfield.

The 58-year-old Pontiac native will be the first to formally enter what could be a crowded GOP race. Other potential candidates include wealthy hedge fund manager Bruce Rauner of Chicago and state Sens. Bill Brady of Bloomington and Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale.

The winner of the primary will take on the winner of the Democratic race. Gov. Pat Quinn is eyeing another term, but he could be challenged by Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

Rutherford was elected to the Illinois House in 1992 and then moved to the Senate in 2003. He was elected state treasurer in 2010.

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