ROSEMONT, ILL. (AP) -- Sarah Palin has been out raising money for Republicans around the country, and now she's headed to Illinois.

The Illinois Republican Party says the former vice presidential nominee will headline a party fundraiser May 12 in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont.

Illinois Republicans don't hold any statewide offices, and the party is trying to win in some high-profile races this November.

Republican Congressman Mark Kirk is locked in a tight race for President Barack Obama's old Senate seat against Democrat Alexi Giannoulias (jeh-NOO'-lee-ehs).

In the race for governor, state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington is challenging Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn.

Palin's visit will be her second to Illinois in about a month.

She spoke to a crowd of about 1,100 people earlier this month at an event in central Illinois.

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