It looks like Illinois is trying to steal Iowa's thunder by announcing a GOP straw poll to be held just five days after Ames. Click here for more.

A recent ARG poll (which always seem to put McCain higher than other polls) has the current race this way in Illinois (4% margin of error):

30%--Giuliani
21%--F. Thompson
12%--McCain
11%--Romney
5%--Gingrich
14%--Undecided
Everyone else not above 2%.

Given Romney's organizational strengths, he should at least be able to outpace McCain, potentially also Thompson in the Straw Poll if his campaign makes a big push.