ROCKTON (WIFR) -- It's going to be quite a unique election... Especially since several incumbents will be pitted against each other. That's why the Northern Illinois Tea Party wants to make sure we're familiar with candidates' voting record. For instance... Republican State Senators Dave Syverson and Christine Johnson were asked to explain why they voted no for Com-Ed customers funding the utility's smart grid technology. While State Representative Joe Sosnowski shared his reasons for voting yes.

Jane Carrell, Coordinator for the Northern Illinois Tea Party says, "We feel it's important to give the citizens of the area a chance to ask questions face to face with their candidates for state legislature. The state is in such deep water right now that nothing could be more important than whom we send to Springfield."

The Northern Illinois Tea Party is scheduled to have another forum February 3rd.