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. Then, too, demographic changes are making Illinois increasingly Democratic.

And the top of every Nov. 4 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 super majority 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.