Can a president from Illinois deliver cash, power to the state?

Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at a rally at Nissan Pavilion, Thursday, June 5, 2008 in Bristow, Va. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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Now that Sen. Barack Obama has gathered the number of delegates needed to win the Democratic presidential nomination, local politicians on both sides of the aisle are contemplating what a president from Illinois could mean for the state. State Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, expects the federal money to start pouring in if Obama is elected. "It's about time Illinois gets its fair share of the pie," Jacobs said. Jacobs is a friend of Obama and campaigned for him across the river in Iowa. "I know Barack will deliver for all of America," Jacobs said. "He's got something special ... the ability to move people forward." Jerry Sheridan, chairman of the Lee County Democrats, said an Obama White House could jump-start the economy, locally and statewide. "I think especially with the job market being as it is, he'll look at the economy a lot," Sheridan said. "It just can't hurt with him being from here - he's got to look at his own state, of course. "If he looks at fuel energy and the fact that our coal industry is so big in the state, I honestly think that will help us." State Senate candidate Marty Mulcahey, D-Galena, said along with the economic benefits Obama can bring to Illinois, a president from the Prairie State also can deliver much needed political power. "... I think Illinois will have a powerful position in national politics," Mulcahey said. "States such as California, Texas and New York in the past have overshadowed Illinois with political pull. If we can bring political pull back into Illinois, in turn, I think it would be great for all midwest states." Rick Cavazos, vice-chairman of the Whiteside County Democrats, said Obama has visited Whiteside County several times in the past and knows the area and its needs. "It's easier if the boss man is from Illinois," Cavazos said. Transportation is an area of concern Cavazos hopes Obama can improve. "I think for projects in Illinois it will be easier to find money to work with." Dems aren't the only ones pondering an Obama presidency. Obama's nomination also has Republicans wondering what he will bring to the table. "I don't think it would hurt Illinois," Jerry Mitchell said. "We got quite a bit of help when Dennis Hastert was speaker of the house." Mitchell believes the state would do well considering both senators and several representatives would be Democrats. He also said it might be possible for Illinois legislators to meet with Obama to remind him of the state's needs. Despite the conjecture, Mitchell probably will end up voting for McCain. Despite his publicized gaff about small-town Americans who "cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them out of bitterness over lost jobs," some Illinois politicos say Obama would be good for Illinois beyond the Chicago city limits. State Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline, said Obama has been very good with the communities down state as a U.S. senator. "I think he'll continue that attitude as president," Boland said. "I believe he knows that one of the obstacles to overcome is to win over the Hillary Clinton supporters that are the rural folks. I think that will make him more cognizant to down state Illinois rather than the Chicago region." Robbin Blackert, chairwoman of the Whiteside County Republican Party, doesn't agree. "I think if there were any benefits it would be contained to Chicago and no where else down state," Blackert said. "In the state of Illinois, the main battle is not Democrat versus Republican, it's Chicago versus down state, and the battle is for every single cent in the budget." The nomination also has many contemplating who will replace Obama in the Senate if he is elected in November. Some anticipate Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan may secure the spot, State Comptroller Dan Hynes, who ran against Obama in the 2004 U.S. Senate primary. Some think Governor Rod Blagojevich may take the spot. "My theory is that it will be Governor Blagojevich that will replace him in the senate," Boland said. "It's happened before in other states. It could be pretty interesting all around." Staff writer Joseph Bustos contributed to this report.