Crain's Greg Hinz speculates today that IL GOP Chair Andy McKenna is in Washington DC to talk to the National  Republican Senatorial Committee about a 2010 bid for U.S. Senate HERE.

See Illinois Review's story last Friday about the Illinois GOP staff being "let go". We report. You connect the dots.

UPDATE: IR just spoke with declared GOP U.S. Senate candidate Eric Wallace, who said "We welcome Andy to the U.S. Senate race. It will give us a chance to debate ideas that will make our country and state stronger. Let the people choose who best represents their views."

Wallace said Illinois has had one-party rule for too long and now it's been sent to D.C. "We need to return that U.S. Senate seat to Republicans like Everett Dirksen and Peter Fitzgerald. Dirksen fought for civil rights with Johnson, and Fitzgerald fought to clean up corruption. That seat needs to return to the GOP."

When asked whether he thinks the speculation that Congressman Mark Kirk may be staying out of the U.S. Senate race because he sold his cap and trade vote for an easy 10th CD re-election, Wallace declined to comment.

"I know Congressman Kirk is moderate on his views, and I can't understand why he voted for cap and trade, but I have no knowledge as to any deal like that," he said.

"But to Andy, I say, 'Bring it on!'" Wallace said with a chuckle.