Chicago, Il - Moderate Republican Mark Kirk for Senate will most likely take the Illinois Republican Senate Candidacy in the primary today.  His democratic rivals will have a much closer election contest today as the latest polls have a very close race on the democratic side.

Vying for the Democratic Nomination are state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Chicago inspector general David Hoffman and Chicago Urban League President Cheryle Jackson.

Alexi Giannoulias is the slight favorite among the challengers due to name recognition as he is the current Illinois State Treasurer.  An issue raised repeatedly during the primary campaign against Giannoulias is that Broadway Bank, Giannoulias' former employer, funded convicted felon political fundraiser Tony Rezko.  Rezko was convicted of money laundering and fraud.