[Dr. Sivana]

He probably has to win each of those by 500-1000 votes to offset northern IL (have him down 30,000 votes in Cook, 12,000 in lake),

I live in Ogle County, northern IL around, and even in, Rockford is going Santorum.

Not all of northern IL is greater Chicago.

[parksstp]

Feels like it though.

In 08, Romney ran well in the Quads area and along the MO/IL border counties. However, it’s hard to tell what support is actually still intact because at the time, he was garnering a strong Anti-McCain vote.

Turnout will be key. If it’s low in the North, Santorum may not have to make up as much as Romney did when he was blown out by McCain.

If Rockford is truly purple (CNN’s Santorum color), then Santorum will be in good shape. I have my doubts about that area though.