Congressman Mark Kirk is relying on secret money raised by undisclosed corporate donors and a visit by an out-of-state politician to save his campaign, while Alexi Giannoulias rallies voters with hometown hero, U.S. President Barack Obama.

"Today's news shows how much is at stake in this election. These secret corporate special interests are spending record amounts to support Congressman Kirk because they know he will continue to protect their profits at the expense of the middle class," said Alexi for Illinois spokesman Scott Burnham. "Every dollar is being spent on negative attack ads that have been called false by independent fact check organizations. While Alexi is talking about tax cuts for middle class families and help for America's small businesses, these groups support Congressman Kirk because he continually pushes for more tax cuts for the wealthy and votes to protect tax loopholes for companies that ship our jobs overseas."

For the second time in less than a week, Congressman Mark Kirk is ducking appearances with U.S. Senate Nominee Alexi Giannoulias as the Nov. 2 election draws near.

Both candidates were invited several weeks ago to appear with Cliff Kelley’s radio show on WVON today for an hour-long debate. But Kirk has not even bothered to respond, despite the station’s repeated requests.

CHICAGO - A previously undisclosed campaign fundraising document obtained by the Capitol Fax political blog reveals that Congressman Mark Kirk held a Beijing fundraiser with corporate executives on May 27, 2010. The very next day, he voted against closing the tax loophole that rewards corporations for shipping American jobs overseas to countries like China.

Building on yesterday's Chicago Sun-Times story that Congressman Mark Kirk embellished his role in passing the Iran sanctions bill, the Chicago Tribune reports today that Kirk's self-proclaimed role in helping to stop the Bridge to Nowhere is “not exactly” true.

Anyone who knows me knows I loathe the use of "breaking" in subject lines. I really do. But there's no other way to describe what just broke here on the ground.

In the midst of the scandal involving the U.S. Chamber's solicitation of overseas funds comes this breaking news: leaked documents show that Republican Congressman Mark Kirk held what his campaign called a "Beijing Fundraiser."

Alexi Giannoulias clearly won tonight’s ABC7 debate by addressing the real issues that voters care about like fixing our economy and getting Illinoisans back to work.

Alexi Giannoulias clearly won tonight’s ABC7 debate by addressing the real issues that voters care about like fixing our economy and getting Illinoisans back to work.

1. Your campaign has continued to criticize Alexi on the bank but you can’t answer a simple question “YES or NO” on whether or not you were shot at while flying over Iraq? Will you now answer yes or no? Why is this so difficult for you?

2. Congressman, why have you designed a “voter integrity” program in solely African American areas? What specifically do you mean by saying the other side is going to “jigger the vote”?

3. Why do you continue to refuse to take a position on DADT?

CHICAGO – Yet again in tonight’s ABC 7 debate, Congressman Mark Kirk refused to answer whether or not he supports the DREAM Act even though the legislation has been around for over 10 years. 

Alexi Giannoulias slammed Kirk for continuing to dodge the question and reiterated his support for the legislation, a key component of immigration reform that will provide a legal path to citizenship for hundreds of thousands of immigrants who came to the United States as children.