SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Three of the four top spots in Illinois’ Feb. 2 primary ballots will go to political unknowns, following a lottery a little while ago to determine ballot position.

In the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, the top ballot spot will go to Robert Marshall, a Burr Ridge physician. David Hoffman, former Chicago inspector general and a high-profile figure in the state’s ethics reform movement this year, will be listed second on the ballot. State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, considered by many to be the front-runner for the seat, won’t be among the top three on the ballot.

Among Republican Senate hopefuls — where there’s generally little argument that U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk is the front-runner — the top spot will go to Donald Lowery, a circuit judge from Golconda. Kirk will be listed second.

For the Democratic primary for governor, incumbent Gov. Pat Quinn and state Comptroller Dan Hynes, locked in an in-party death match for the office, will be listed second and third, respectively.

First? William “Dock” Walls of Chicago, whose only real claim to fame thus far is the baffling fact that Quinn’s people have filed a challenge to the legitimacy of his election petition — an odd action to take against a political unknown, and a potentially risky one for Quinn’s standing in the black community, with Walls being the only African-American on the ballot. (More on that from RICH MILLER.)

Of the front-burner contests, only the Republican primary for governor isn’t going to look like amateur hour at the top spot of the ballot — which was perhaps to be expected, given that practically every major Republican in the state is running. State senators Kirk Dillard and Bill Brady will be listed first and second, respectively.