Doug Stevens is well known in this area. Through lots of advertising for his firm. he's a personal injury lawyer. He's the democrat who gave either Bob Michel or Ray LaHood a run for their money - I can't remember which.
I am accquainted with Doug Stevens and he's a completely likable guy but I wouldn't vote for him and he knows it. I respect his stand on abortion, he's dead set against it and that's not a popular stand for a democrat to take. Aside from that he's a lib through and through.
David Ransburg mentioned in post #6 is a likely Republican candidate. Another possibility is Stu Umholtz, Prosecuter for Tazewell county, though I hope not. I have had personal dealings with him too - not in his professional capacity.
Politics1 mentioned Jonathan Wright, who was a GOP Senate candidate in 2004 (I don't think he did very well), as a possible candidate to run for Ray LaHood's House seat should LaHood run for Governor. Wright is a young conservative, right? Can anyone tell me about him?