18 ---Taking Aim by Jennifer Halperin
In the race to control the General Assembly, Democratic and Republican leaders draw a bead on key districts. They use dollars and staff as ammunition.

21--- Ground Zero by Scott Burnham
The suburbs to the south and southwest of Chicago are key to control of the Illinois House. Democrats hope to capture three districts in the region.

24 ---Tangled Web by Brian Lee
All of the key presidential candidates have created home pages on the Internet. What is the potential downside of the cybercampaign?

26 ---Favorite Son by Anthony Man
Illinois' senior U.S. Sen. Paul Simon will leave Washington at the end of his current term. Voters face a bewildering array of choices to replace him.

4 ---Editor's Notebook by Peggy Boyer Long

6 ---State of the State by Jennifer Halperin
Governors nudge budgeteers

8 ---Briefly by Donald Sevener

30--- Dialogue by Megan Lynch
John Jackson on the primaries

34 ---Your Turn by Naomi B. Lynn
Beijing and Springfield

36--- People by Beverley Scobell

38--- Letters

41--- A View From Metro East by Patrick E. Gauen
A kinder, gentler Ron Stephens

42--- Politics by Charles N. Wheeler III
Primary futile for GOP