With the midterm election just over a week away, the politicking and punditry are in high gear. In the state of Illinois, a lot of energy is focused on Chicago. But the big races—like those for Governor and U.S. Senate—will be decided at polls well beyond this metropolitan area.

We wondered how the election looks from outside Chicago so WBEZ’s Richard Steele headed out to meet the electorate in other parts of the state. He traveled to Rockford, Bloomington and East St. Louis. 

David Byrnes is the president of the Midway Village Museum in Rockford. He led Richard on a tour of the city, including its rich industrial past.