Even if local Barack Obama were not on the ballot this would be a secure state for the Democrats. Between the massive vote out of Chicago and the slumping GOP tide downstate it is impossible for the GOP to win.
President: Safe Democrat
Senate: The only issue is if incumbent Richard Durbin (D) can outpoll Obama’s 2004 landslide.
Safe Democrat
House: Most of the incumbents here are secure with 10 Democrats and 6 Republicans considered fairly safe.
In the 10th District incumbent Mark Kirk and Democrat Daniel Seals are in a rematch of their close 2006 race. Kirk will be hard pressed with the likely Obama tide but he has the edge
Leans Republican
In the 11th District incumbent Jerry Weller is retiring and he will probably be succeeded by State Senator Debbie Halvorson but Republican Marty Ozinga will try to stop that.
Democrat Favored
In the 14th District we have a rematch of the special election for the seat of former Speaker Dennis Hastert. Incumbent Bill Foster will probably defeat Republican Jim Oberweis
Democrat Favored
With the probable pickup here Democrats are up +3 in the House and +1 in the Senate