Early voting starts in Illinois on Monday--President Barack Obama touches down Thursday to cast his early ballot in person in Chicago--which may give some bounce to Chicago area House candidates Tammy Duckworth, Brad Schneider and Bill Foster.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee--the Democratic House national political operation--is running an aggressive Illinois ground game--and will be previewing its "Illinois Votes" plans later today with a briefing by DCCC director Robby Monk. The Illinois Republican Party also has a strong ground network. In play in the Chicago area: bruising contests in the 8th, 10th and 11th congressional districts.