Palin heading to Illinois for fundraiser at Rosemont

Sarah Palin has been out raising money for Republicans around the country, and now she's headed to Illinois.

The Illinois Republican Party says the former vice presidential nominee will headline a party fundraiser May 12 in Rosemont.

Illinois Republicans don't hold any statewide offices, and the party is trying to win in some high-profile races this November.

Republican Congressman Mark Kirk is locked in a tight race for President Barack Obama's old Senate seat against Democrat Alexi Giannoulias (jeh-NOO'-lee-ehs). In the race for governor, state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington is challenging Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn.

Palin's visit will be her second to Illinois in about a month.

She spoke to a crowd of about 1,100 people earlier this month at an event in central Illinois.