1. 2010 Illinois Midterm Election Information By: Stephen Cooke, Jaleeza Hernandez, & Stephen Ratkovich

2. Alexi Giannoulias (Democrat) Was born in Chicago to Greek Immigrants on March 16, 1976 (34 years old) Attended Boston University and Tulane University Law The current Illinois State Treasurer. In 2006, he defeated Christine Radogno with 54 percent, becoming the first Democrat to hold office in 12 years, and the youngest State Treasurer in the Country. Currently, he is trying to fill the Illinois Senate Seat currently held by Roland Burris.

3. Alexi Giannoulias (continuned…) Served on the board of directors of the Community Bankers Association of Illinois Legislative Committee Founded the AG Foundation, a non-profit charity that donates money to treat child-related illnesses, assist disaster relieve, and curb poverty. On February 2, 2010, he was elected the Democratic Nominee for U.S. Senate with 39% of the vote. David Hoffman received 33.8% and Cheryle Jackson received 19.7% He has been endorsed by Dick Durbin, the Assistant Majority Leader & President Barack Obama.

4. Mark Kirk (Republican) Was born in Champaign, Illinois on September 15, 1959 (51 Years Old) Recently divorced (09’) Attended Cornell University and Georgetown University Law School. Kirk is currently a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Illinois’ 10th Congressional district. A member of the House of Appropriations Committee. Commissed as an intelligence officer in the Naval Reserve in 1989

5. Mark Kirk (continued…) 1991-1993- Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State in the State Department 1993-1995- Attorney for Baker & McKenzie Kirk is a member of the House Iran Working Group and the founder and co-chair of the House U.S.-China Working Group On February 2, 2010, he won the Republican primary with 56.6% of the vote. No other candidate had more than 20%

6. Illinois, The Land of Lincoln Capital: Springfield Largest City: Chicago Chicago Pop. 2,853,114 Mostly rural or small town; Some small industrial cities (i.e. Chicago, Aurora) 25th Largest State in the U.S 5th most populous state in the nation. Est. Population: 12,919,409 (09’) 65% White, 15.% African American, 14.9% Latino, 4.3 % Asian, 0.3% American Indian

7. Illinois Info. Catholics and Protestant are the largest religious group. Catholics are heavily concentrated in and around Chicago, making up 30% of the population. As of May 2010, state unemployment decreased from 11.5% to 10.8%

8. Illinois Info. (continued…) Illinois is one of the country’s leading manufacturers. It has an annual productivity value of $107Billion. Top state for production of soybeans, with a harvest of 427.7 million bushels. Exports Electricity, ranking 5th among states in electricity production and 7th in consumption. Leading refiner of petroleum in the Midwest. Ranked 2nd in corn production in the U.S.

9. Election History

10. Election History (continued…) Kirk and Giannoulias have run within three points of the other in seven surveys since June

11. Key Issues Education Giannoulias: comprehensive early childhood education programs, reduced class sizes, better teacher support, and STEM, a series of initiatives to create a new generation of innovators in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Kirk: provide every student with a quality education and a safe place to grow and learn, the opportunity to complete a college education, as well as preparing students to be able to compete in the 21st century economy Energy Giannoulias: reduce America's dependence on oil, make oil drilling and exploration safer, and has introduced a comprehensive plan to transition America away from dirty fuels and toward a clean energy economy that runs on renewable energy and provides good-paying jobs that can't be outsourced. Kirk: reduce oil consumption and increase environmentally responsible domestic exploration, needs a comprehensive program encompassing a national effort to end our dependence on foreign oil

12. Key Issues (continued…) Health Care Giannoulias: supports President Obama’s health insurance reform and wants to protect consumers from insurance company abuses, enact policies that decrease premiums and enhance coverage for families, no matter their geography or socio-economic status. Future health care reforms should bring down health care costs, protect consumers, continue to expand coverage in underserved communities and reduce the federal deficit Kirk: expand access to healthcare, accelerate biomedical research, a fair medical liability system, incentives for employers to provide health insurance, commitment to advances in health care technology, and preventive health care initiatives will bolster our nation's health care system. Transportation Giannoulias: restore Illinois as an innovation leader in providing world-class transportation infrastructure that promotes the movement of goods and people across the country by rethinking transportation policy to spur economic growth, reduce congestion and pollution, promote job growth, encourage healthier lifestyles and support more livable communities. Kirk: worked to make major improvements to road, rail and aviation infrastructures to reduce gridlock, enhance economic growth, protect our environment and encourage sensible development policies that respect property rights while seeking to improve quality of life.

13. Media Coverage The race has been depicted as either a tie or with Kirk having a slim lead over Giannoulias Coverage of the Illinois senate race has focused less on any of the issues and what they can do for Illinois and more on their personal histories. “The candidates in one of the nation's most closely watched Senate races aren't saying much about health care, the Gulf oil spill or even the economy. Instead, they're discussing who's the least trustworthy.” – Huffington Post Allegations have been made that Giannoulias is inexperienced and approved loans to notorious gangsters and an aide of Saddam Hussein while he worked for the Broadway Bank Kirk has been accused of exaggerating his military service, as well as other credentials and claiming to be the recipient of awards he never received.

14. Storyline Race has become increasingly hostile Candidates are looking to fill Barack Obama’s former seat Like Massachusetts, Democrats need to hold on to the that Senate seat Voter backlash against Democrats due to Blagojevich scandal Illinois voters trust Democrats when it comes to health care and the economy, but trust Republicans more on immigration policy