by Paul Froehlich [courtesy of Blog for America]

Illinois voters had the ballot choice of a straight-party option for almost 100 years until 1997.  That's when lameduck Republicans, in their last day before relinquinshing power to the Democrats in the House, banned the straight-party option.  This week the Illinois House will debate a bill to re-instate that option.  Republicans tremble with fear at the prospect of voters with the straight-party option and a Democratic ticket with Obama at the top.