SPRINGFIELD – No statewide offices are up for grabs in Illinois this fall, and President Barack Obama is almost certain to carry his home state again. That makes for an unusual election next month in which the big prizes are a handful of congressional races that have the potential to help change the balance of power in Washington.

Democrats dream of picking up five seats now held by Republicans, which could go a long way toward the Democratic goal of winning back control of the U.S. House. A swing of that size would be unusual in most years, but the candidates are running in new districts drawn by Democrats in ways that help their party.

Even so, the races are tight and Republicans hope they can hold most of the seats and perhaps pick up one in southwestern Illinois where the Democratic incumbent is retiring.