Election Day 2010 has arrived, and Illinois voters have a rather thick ballot to get through.

Check out our voting guides: judges, recall amendment, down-ballot Illinois races, down-ballot Cook County races, big party alternatives

Think of all that Illinois has gone through since the last general election: Home-state President Barack Obama headed to the White House, and Gov. Rod Blagojevich got arrested, then impeached, then removed from office. Unemployment and foreclosures jumped, and the state budget spiraled into what many experts say is a crisis.

On Tuesday, Illinois voters will elect a governor, and the U.S. Senate seat once held by Blagojevich appointee Roland Burris, will get a new occupant. Illinoisans will actually vote twice on the Senate seat. First, they’ll pick a short-term replacement for Burris, to serve until his term ends in January. Second, they’ll elect a senator to serve a full six-year term.

Voters will also choose other statewide officials, and weigh in on congressional, legislative, county and judicial elections. In addition, they’ll be asked to decide on a proposed constitutional amendment.

Illinois polling places are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.