Winnetka’s Patrick Hanley officially launched his campaign to replace State Sen. Laura Fine in Springfield Tuesday evening with a large crowd of supporters at Sketchbook Brewing Co. in Skokie.

Hanley, an environmental activist, business owner and political organizer who co-founded Operation Swing State last year, announced Tuesday night his name will officially be on next March’s ballot after receiving enough signatures exactly one week after petitioning kicked off.

The biggest name backing Hanely is U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who is retiring from Congress at the end of her term. Over a dozen Democrats, including Fine, are vying to replace her in Washington.

In addressing the crowd, Schakowsky said she sees a long future in politics for Hanley.

“I think he’s got what he needs,” Schakowsky said. “This is just the beginning of coming out and being there for Patrick.”

Hanley’s only competitor in the Democratic primary is Rachel Ruttenberg of Evanston, who kicked off her campaign at an event in early June, with endorsements from Illinois House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel and Reps. Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl and Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz.

She’s also backed by Democratic Party of Evanston President Kathy Hayes and is the former Deputy Chief of Staff for Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle.

In his speech, Hanley called himself a “son of the Ninth District,” adding that “now is a time for fresh faces” in Springfield.

“I understand that we are in a crisis,” Hanley said. “Federalism is failing … that makes our work all the more pressing.”

Notably, Hanley named Gov. JB Pritzker in his speech, saying he “stands with” the governor in his aggressive response to the federal government, urging additional action by the state to respond to threats from Washington.

He said he believes that “Illinois should be a safe harbor in this country for new arrivals,” mentioning both Texas Democrats who fled the state to stall redistricting efforts and immigrants.

“The way forward is to organize,” Hanley said, to “build a state that inspires the country.”

Hanley announced his campaign on May 9, just days after Schakowsky said she wouldn’t seek reelection and Fine announced her run for Congress. He’s been actively campaigning since, but hadn’t held an official launch party after rescheduling to accommodate the Congressional recess so Schakowsky could be present.

Other notable faces in the crowd Tuesday night were State Sen. Julie Morrison, Evanston Ald. Clare Kelly (1st), former Evanston mayoral candidate Jeff Boarini, ETHS District 202 Board President Pat Savage-Williams and Congressional candidate Phil Andrew.

Hanley and Ruttenberg are neck and neck with cash on hand, according to Illinois State Board of Elections filings at the end of June. Candidates are next required to file fundraising and expenditure information in mid-October.

Although she has endorsed Hanley in the state senate race, Schakowsky has declined so far to endorse a candidate in the race to replace her.

Those candidates also include another state senator, Mike Simmons, as well as state Rep. Hoan Huynh, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, businessman Bruce Leon and Skokie School Board member Bushra Amiwala, among others.

Schakowsky says she hasn’t ruled out the possibility of endorsing a candidate in that race closer to the March 17 primary election once the field likely narrows.