This Chicago Tribune Poll is based on interviews with 500 confirmed registered voters in Illinois likely to vote in the November 4 general election. Interviewing began the day after the final presidential debate, Thursday evening October 16, and ended on Saturday, October 18. The potential margin of error for a sample of this size is +/- 4.4% at the 95% level of confidence.
Likely voting was based on certainty of voting in the upcoming election. The sample included 6% who voted absentee or participated in Illinois� early voting program that started October 13.
Barack Obama lives up to his favorite son standing in Illinois. Some 62% hold a favorable opinion of him versus 26% unfavorable. Over half of Collar County and Downstate voters have a favorable opinion of him as do Independents.

Barack Obama	56%
John McCain	32%
Unsure	9%
Other	3%
Source

Rasmussen Reports
Date: 10/13
Illinois
Added: 10/15/08

Quote:

Voters in Illinois give their junior senator positive reviews. Obama is viewed favorably by 69% and unfavorably by 29%. McCain�s numbers are 47% favorable, 51% unfavorable.
Half of voters in Illinois say the top electoral issue is the economy, and 57% of voters trust Obama more to handle the national economy. The majority (60%) also believes Obama would help the state�s economy the most.
On national security, Illinois voters trust Obama more than McCain by a 52% to 43% margin. McCain in most parts of the country leads Obama on this issue.