The filing deadline for the April general elections has been extended.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law a bill that extends the amount of time candidates have to file their nominating papers with local offices, according to a Dec. 3 news release from DeKalb County Clerk John Acardo.

The new deadline for candidate applications will be 5 p.m. on Dec. 26, as opposed to the previous deadline of 5 p.m. on Dec. 24, according to the release.

The clerk’s office will be closed from Dec. 23 to 25, in accordance with weekend and holiday hours, so candidates are encouraged to file before Dec. 22, or to utilize the added date, Dec. 26 to file, according to the release. The clerk’s office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 26.