Pushing back on a Republican poll released yesterday, Democrats have their own survey in an open Illinois seat they feel good about this year.

The poll, conducted by Anzalone Liszt Research for State Senator Debbie Halvorson's campaign, surveyed 500 likely voters between 9/14-16 for a margin of error of +/- 4.4%. Halvorson, Republican businessman Martin Ozinga and Iraq war veteran Jason Wallace, the Green Party candidate, were tested.

General Election Matchup
Halvorson.......43 (no change from last, 5/08)
Ozinga..........35 (+3)
Wallace..........6 (no trend)

Generic GOPer...40
Generic Dem.....38

The poll shows Halvorson with a wider lead than the Republican poll, which had her up just two points. But district voters still have a lot of learning to do about both candidates; Halvorson has just a 38%-20% favorable to unfavorable rating, while Ozinga's rating is 28% favorable to 22% favorable.

Both candidates are on television, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is airing ads and dropping mail on Halvorson's behalf. The race is still a toss-up.