Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is set to address state lawmakers and statewide office holders when he gives his State of the State speech at noon today, but political experts say his most critical audience is voters.
It's his second time giving one during an election year, and all of the candidates running for governor are expected to listen in person.
David Yepsen, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University, says Quinn will have a difficult re-election, that his job approval ratings are low and that he needs to say something to help his bid.
Quinn is expected to talk about raising the minimum wage, expanding a water project and possibly a new capital construction program.