SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- If you're running for the Illinois Legislature, it's not a good time to be Republican.

President Bush is extremely unpopular and in many voters' minds carries the burden of a war and a Wall Street meltdown. Demographic changes are making Illinois increasingly Democratic.

And the top of every ballot will carry the name of Illinois' favorite son, Barack Obama, for president.

It could be a big year for Democrats.

Democrats hold 67 seats in the House -- four more, and they would have a supermajority able to adopt legislation virtually at will. The Senate's 37 Democrats already have such power, and one leader says they could pick up two or three more seats.

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