CHICAGO – Two new polls released today show Democrat Alexi Giannoulias leading in the Illinois U.S. Senate race against Congressman Mark Kirk. With less than 24 hours until polls open, Democrats across the state are reminding voters what’s at stake in this election and executing a robust, statewide get-out-the-vote operation that will include 20,000 volunteer shifts from more than 200 staging location across the state.

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."

One of Central Illinois' largest newspapers endorsed U.S. Senate Nominee Alexi Giannoulias today and noted that Congressman Kirk’s lies are a “stumbling block” for him.

The Decatur Herald & Review credited Giannoulias with implementing ethical safeguards that ended pay-to-play in the Treasurer’s Office and made government more open and transparent. It also dismissed Kirk’s barrage of negative attacks on Giannoulias.

Saying they no longer trust Congressman Mark Kirk to lead on issues important to them, leaders from several Illinois reform and advocacy-based groups joined together today to show their support for U.S. Senate Nominee Alexi Giannoulias in the Nov. 2 election.

The Illinois Education Association, Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood, League of Conservation Voters, Human Rights Campaign, NARAL and Defenders of Wildlife had all endorsed Kirk during his previous campaigns for the U.S. House.

With six days remaining in the race, Congressman Kirk has pulled his one positive television ad and has gone completely negative, with more than $2 million in false, misleading attack ads.

In stark contrast, Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Alexi Giannoulias has gone completely positive for the final week with an ad that features President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, his mother and workers from Hartmarx, with each of them noting his compassion and character.

U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias today launched a new positive campaign ad that features both President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

The 30-second spot also features his mother and workers from DesPlaines suitmaker Hartmarx with each of them noting Giannoulias’ compassion and character.

“You can trust him,” President Obama says in the ad. “You can count on him.”

The ad is the first and only in the nation that features the First Lady endorsing a candidate.

Calling him “best prepared to advance the interests of the people of Illinois,” the Southern Illinoisan newspaper today endorsed State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias for U.S. Senate.

The Southern noted Giannoulias’ ability to work in a bipartisan manner and supported his vision to create private sector jobs through federally funding of infrastructure projects.

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.

Two of the state’s largest newspapers endorsed the candidacy of U.S. Senate Nominee Alexi Giannoulias today in their Sunday editions.

The SJ-R wrote that as Illinois State Treasurer, “Giannoulias has proved himself a dedicated and conscientious public servant with a genuine concern for his constituents.”