Debbie Halvorson wants some questions answered, and time is of the essence.

Super PAC advertisements and state Sen. Toi Hutchinson's surprising Sunday announcement that she is leaving the race to replace former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. for the open 2nd Congressional District seat has raised the questions, and Halvorson called a news conference in Chicago this morning regarding the developments.

Halvorson, a former congresswoman from Crete, planned to question why Hutchinson — her former chief of staff — left the race just nine days before the primary election. The election is set for Feb. 26, and Halvorson and Hutchinson had been listed among the favorites in a crowded Democratic field.

"Early voting has started and people may have voted for her [Hutchinson] and now that vote might be wasted," Halvorson said.

She also wants to know how fellow Democratic candidate Robin Kelly seemingly knew about New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's super PAC attack ads against herself and Hutchinson before they aired.

"[Federal Election Commission] rules say candidates are not allowed to have any form of communication with super PACS," Halvorson said. "How did [Kelly's] campaign have any idea on Feb. 1 that Hutchinson would be a target?"

Halvorson said Rich Miller, publisher of the Capitol Fax political newsletter, reported on Feb. 1 that Kelly had told donors that her strategy to win the race included Bloomberg attack ads on Halvorson and Hutchinson.

"It wasn't until just recently that Toi was mentioned in the attacks ads," Halvorson said.

The first Bloomberg super PAC attack ads against Hutchinson appeared to have aired last weekend, at approximately the same time she withdrew from the race. Attack ads against Halvorson have been running for weeks.

The first ads to display Bloomberg's endorsement of Kelly — a New York native now living in Chicago — also came Sunday, Halvorson said.

Halvorson also questioned why Hutchinson threw her weight behind Kelly.

"To be attacked for so long by Robin Kelly and the next day come out and endorse Robin Kelly, these are questions," Halvorson told The Daily Journal this morning.