CHICAGO, ILL. (AP) -- The last decade was lousy for Illinois Republicans but they're giddy about their chances to claim President Barack Obama's old Senate seat and the governor's mansion.
Democrats control every statewide office and the Legislature in Illinois.
But Republican Scott Brown's recent surprise win in the Massachusetts Senate race and a string of setbacks for Illinois Democrats have boosted state Republican hopes for November's elections.
Five-term Republican Rep. Mark Kirk is vying for Obama's old Senate seat. And Republicans are confident their eventual candidate for governor will provide a stiff challenge to Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn, who narrowly won his party's nomination.
Democrats have to wage their campaigns against the backdrop of former Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich's corruption trial.
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