The winner of the cliff-hanger Illinois eight House race between Rep. Melissa Bean (D-Ill.) and Republican Joe Walsh will be known later today, when all the votes in the northwest suburban district will have been counted. Bean was behind by 347 votes, but there were enough uncounted votes--absentee, military and overseas ballots--outstanding to throw the contest either way.

Bean and Walsh were both in Washington on Tuesday, Bean here for the lame duck session and the optimistic Walsh for freshman orientation. Bean will fly back to the district for a Wednesday press conference at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield-Schaumburg to discuss the results.