I used to believe that too, until I met all the hundreds of protesters. I have never seen such a coordinated and energetic group. And this is in the most liberal area of the state! Well, I would say the most liberal areas of the state are Chicago proper (err, improper) and Urpaign/Chambana.
The political table tilts rightward proportional to your distance west of the city. Actually, in almost any direction with the possible exception of north. And maybe east, where a lot of the Demovoters reside. (I didn't say "live!")
From a Chicago/Suburban/Illini, in a previous life. <)B^)
DuPage is starting to have some libs trickle in though. And the way Daley wants to build higher-class housing in the city, more and more of the suburbs will be essentially just like the city. Well, then again, it already is.