Cohen plans governor bid

Former lieutenant governor candidate Scott Lee Cohen announced today he plans to run for governor as an independent.

Cohen stepped aside as the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor after allegations of domestic violence and stories of steroid use surfaced from his past. The Democratic Central Committee has since chosen Sheila Simon as Cohen’s replacement.

"Everybody, everybody makes mistakes in their life. Everybody's entitled to a second chance, and everybody is entitled to redemption," Cohen said at the Chicago news conference he held to announce his candidacy for governor. He will have to collect 25,000 signatures from registered voters by June 21 to get his name on the ballot.