Two years ago, the open seat race between Democrat Amy Murri Briel and Republican Liz Bishop became one of the tightest races in the state. Briel won the race by 595 votes.

Life has moved quickly for Rep. Jessica Dixon Heitman (D-Plainfield) since July. Starting the summer as a stay-at-home mom and small business owner, she started the fall as a State Representative locked in one of the most competitive races legislative races anywhere in the state.

Internal concerns among House Republicans have bubbled over in recent days, as some caucus members have openly wondered about the future of House GOP Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) if the House GOP loses a significant number of seats on November 3.

The Senate Republican campaign arm denied Thursday it has “pulled out” of the race to save appointed incumbent Sen. Darby Hills (R-Barrington Hills), who has struggled in her high profile battle with Rep. Nabeela Syed (D-Palatine) in the northwest suburban 26th District.

Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton and former Illinois Republican Party chairman Don Tracy squared off in an hourlong televised forum Tuesday night two weeks before voters choose one of them to represent Illinois in the United States Senate.

House Democrats are dumping $1 million each into TV ads in the two of their most hotly competitive suburban districts ahead of Election Day in two weeks.