Republicans Gain in IL 8, 6

It looks like momentum is shifting to Republican Peter Roskam in the latest poll of Illinois' 6th congressional district, via Real Clear Politics, confirmed by yet another poll showing him up.

And the race looks to be tightening dramatically in Illinois' 8th as Republican David McSweeney closes the gap. Bean's numbers may also be shaky as there is a 3rd party anti-war candidate on the ballot who may siphon off votes. But it looks like it will go down to the wire, so GOP turnout is crucial to bring it in for McSweeney.

Both polls were done for the suburban Daily Herald by an Evanston-based firm. (Evanston always gives us non-liberals pause.)

And there's this comment by the Herald's Eric Krol:

But the close contests in two districts drawn to favor Republicans is significant as Democrats try to pick up the 15 seats they need to topple Hastert out of the 30 or so in play across the nation. Ironically, those very changes in long-standing suburban voting patterns could end up costing the suburbs' significant clout in Washington, D.C., if Hastert no longer is there to wield it as speaker.

As much as Republicans can be favored in this Dem-dominated state, with these districts so close to Chicago. We have got to keep our independence and fight off the corrupt Chicago and Cook County Dem incursions.

Posts on McSweeney, Roskam.

UPDATE: Tom Bevan, RCP blog on The Illinois Twins with updated poll analysis. Also refers to the Demnet influx--backlash?