I am from IL and I like the hell out of him. For reference he was a barely noticed candidate for Senate during the Primary up until a few weeks before hand when scandals sunk everyone else and ads started running for him...at least that is how I remember it.

I have a feeling he will not run. But I would vote for him.

Also you are not electable if you are from the Senate. When was the last person who ran for President and actually won...from the senate? It has been a long while. I think being from the Senate hurts you because of everything you vote for or against before that bill is actually offically passed or rejected. It becomes too easy to spill half truths about a person.