It's official. Downtown Partners/Chicago is the agency of record for Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's re-election campaign. This will mark the first stab at political campaign advertising for the folks at Downtown Partners, who always welcome a new challenge.

Strategizing for Madigan's ad campaign is expected to begin almost immediately, but the first advertising most likely won't hit until October. Though some in Democratic political circles wanted Madigan to consider a run for governor, she opted to focus on re-election as attorney general. Observers say she may have a better -- or at least easier -- shot at the governor's job after all of the negative fallout from the Rod Blagojevich trial finally is over. Which, considering where things stand now, could be quite a long time from now.